Self-Care for a Healthy Mind and Body

 

 

 

Self-Care for a Healthy Mind and Body

 

In this day and age, it’s hard to keep up with daily life. Between work, kids, social obligations, and more, there’s rarely any time left over for yourself. But in order to be the best you can be for everyone that relies on you, you need to make yourself a priority. How? Keep reading for strategies that can help you align your mind and body.

 

Create a meditation space.

 

You need a place to clear your head that’s not full of distractions, such as unwashed dishes and unpaid bills. Create a spot in your home—it can be a designated area in the bedroom or a corner of the garage away from the rest of the house—where you can just be. HomeAdvisor offers several tips on how to design a meditation room that will help you achieve inner harmony.

 

Focus on fitness, even when you can’t get to the gym.

 

There’s no doubt that you have a busy schedule, but that’s no excuse for neglecting your body. Keep in mind that you literally only have one body, and you have to keep it running for 70, 80, 90, or more years. In order to do this, you must keep it strong. There are ways to fit fitness into even the most hectic schedule. Consider walking to work, taking a bike ride with the kids, or using the stairs instead of the elevator to get to the office.

 

When you exercise, don’t get sloppy.

 

Try to avoid looking at exercise as a chore; otherwise, you might rush through it and get injured in the process. The YogaForce A-Line Mat is the perfect companion for yoga class and can help keep your body aligned to ensure proper practice. Its superior sticky-grip surface is ideal for use on all types of floors, and it weighs just four pounds, meaning it won’t add strain to your back or muscles while in transport. Proper alignment and muscular imbalance are things many people fail to consider when exercising, whether doing yoga, running, or lifting weights.

 

Do something that relaxes you every day.

 

Having a hobby is one of the best things you can do for yourself. And it doesn’t matter what that hobby is as long as it gives you an opportunity to shift your focus off of the mundane and stressful aspects of your life. Read a book, go birdwatching, build miniature cars— the choice is up to you. As The College Juice points out, there may also be some unique hobby options you haven’t even considered yet, such as writing or tracing your genealogy.

 

Just go to bed already.

 

If you feel like your circadian rhythm is out of balance, you’ll need to reset your internal clock. The best way to start this process is by identifying what time you need to be out of bed and turning in for the night at least eight hours prior to that. Your bedroom environment matters, so make sure you have a dark space to close your eyes. A noise machine to drown out exterior sounds is a smart addition to the bedroom when you live in the city or suburbs.  https://www.sleepadvisor.org/how-to-fix-sleep-schedule/

 

Throw the chips in the trash and fuel your body the right way.

 

Even if you’re snacking on veggie chips or other so-called health foods, keep in mind that the label is nothing more than clever marketing. Self  Magazine recommends reading labels and choosing whole foods over those which have been processed beyond recognition. Be mindful of what you eat, and make it a point to drink enough water to stay hydrated.

 

None of these actions alone are enough to keep your mind and body aligned with one another. However, when combined, these simple self-care strategies are powerful tools in your quest for overall health. When you treat yourself well on the inside, you’ll find that you look better, lose weight, and shine like never before.

### Guest Blog brought to you by  Sheila Olson of fitsheila.com