A new month means new goals! And as summer comes to an end, what better way to kick on than by starting with a set of healthy habits?
Begin your September by putting your health first and really enjoy the benefits – read on to discover our pick of healthy habits which can help to keep you in the best mental and physical state.
Eat a hearty breakfast
It’s surprising how many of us don’t eat breakfast, when in fact, it’s one of the most important meals of the day and one we should all make time for. If you find you have little time in the mornings, invest in the likes of protein-packed, plant-based bars and grab one to go. Better still, get up a little earlier than normal and sit down to breakfast with the entire family.
This is a great way to start your day and one that ensures you have the fuel required to tackle anything life throws at you. It’s also a good way to spend some quality time with family and housemates.
Exercise
If you’ve been a little lax in the exercise department lately, now is the time to kick-start a new exercise routine. Whether you join a gym, watch a class online, work out with a friend or go for a brisk walk around the block, there are many ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
Make time for yourself
It can be easy to become overwhelmed by deadlines, family and social commitments, which although necessary and fun, leave little time for ourselves. Even if for only an hour a week, do something for yourself.
This could be a yoga or mindfulness session, a walk along your favourite beach, art, ordering a bouquet of blooms for yours truly, or cooking a wholesome meal. Whatever the activity, taking time out for everyday life is hugely important to our mental well-being.
Stay hydrated
It’s easy to forget to drink the right amount of water per day, especially when coffee and tea seem much more appealing. But staying hydrated is a must! Water is not only good for our skin, it helps with our energy levels, boosts brainpower, and prevents headaches.
There are even light-up bottles available that flash to remind you to take a sip, meaning there are no excuses not to stay hydrated!
Learn a new skill
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, and many of us will do it at some point in our lives. To avoid these ruts and to ensure our minds and bodies stay agile, it’s important to challenge ourselves often.
Whether it’s a skill you momentarily picked up in the past (yet never quite finished) or something you’ve never tried before, learning a new skill is a great way to boost your brainpower and increase motivation levels. It may also lead to a new business or side hustle.
From taking part in online courses to enrolling in physical classes to asking a friend or family member to teach you the ropes of their business, there are many ways to learn new skills.
Get enough shut-eye
Sleep is so important for our physical and mental health. From ensuring our skin and hair look healthy, to ensuring our brains are switched on, getting enough shut-eye each night is a must if we want to function at an optimal level. Unfortunately, there are many distractions in this day and age that prevent us from sleeping the correct amount of hours per evening.
The biggest of these is technology! It’s easy to jump into bed with the intention of going to sleep only to pick up our phones or tablets and begin scrolling down our social feeds. This can often last hours and before you know it, it’s midnight! Try to turn off all your tech devices at least half an hour before going to bed, or better still, make the bedroom a tech-free zone.
The blue light can play havoc on our brain and eyes, which has the effect of a restless night’s sleep. Try sipping on a chamomile tea and reading a book instead and see if you notice the benefits.
Start cycling to work
Asides from benefitting the environment, saving you money on fuel costs, and upping your fitness levels, cycling to work has a positive effect on our mental wellbeing, especially if you’re someone who works in a high-paced, deadline-driven environment. This is especially the case for all those who are slowly starting to return to the office after a prolonged time away as a result of the pandemic.
Even if the journey is less than 15 minutes, this is a time for you to focus on the great outdoors as opposed to technology, phone calls, and emails. With the advent of electric bikes, there is now no excuse for anyone not to pick up this hobby!
Sources: drsarahmckay.com, livingmagazine.net, everydayhealth.com
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