Lasting changes don’t happen overnight. These new habits take time to establish, time to adjust what’s not working into something that does work, and guidance from within on what will work best for you.
I’ve found that these pillars of health are the perfect foundation for lasting change, so if you need some encouragement for those new habits, here is the foundation upon which I built mine. I help my clients do the same.
Start small to go big
When you look at a huge ladder or steep staircase, it can feel insurmountable. But if you take it step by step, it can feel a lot easier to manage. The same is true for building your pillars of health. Each little step you take to incorporate exercise, nutrition, stress management, sleep, and hydration will get you to where you need to be. Please don’t put the pressure on yourself to do it all at once. Go about it by making small changes each week and building upon that foundation. This is much more likely to last than doing it all at once.
Commit to physical activity more often
If you’ve never really found an exercise you love and stick with, take a moment to sit down and think about what activities you enjoy. Some people love going to the gym, while others prefer jogging in the park surrounded by nature. Plenty of people dance rather than lift weights, and just as many of them like swimming in the pool. Make a list of the things you enjoy doing, then devote 20 minutes per day to one of these physical activities.
Just say “no” to fad diets
Fad diets come and go for a reason — they don’t work. Your health will improve drastically when you focus on eating a rainbow of fresh foods, keep portions reasonable, and give your body what it needs. Focusing on whole foods will have you feeling full of energy within no time.
Take water with you everywhere
The best part of this pillar is you can shop for a new water bottle to take along. If you aren’t a fan of water, get a bottle with a fruit-infusing aspect. That way, you can insert fruits and herbs to infuse your water with some flavor. You can also purchase water bottles with printed time slots on the bottle to remind you to drink throughout the day.
Turn out the lights
Sleep often falls last on our list. You can go through all those motions with exercise and eating right, and it won’t make a difference until you let your body get the restorative rest it needs. Your body’s cells are like the cleaning crew that comes out at night to get everything ready for the morning. Focus your intention on getting the 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to get the rest you need.
Additionally, focus on proper stress management. Try meditating, yoga, journaling, or simply breathing with intention. Finding your unique sweet spot in each of these pillars can be just what you need to feel your best every day.
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