There’s no one thing you can do to maintain optimal mental and physical health. Your health is affected by every single thing you do throughout your day. Having healthy daily habits can help prevent the development of preventable chronic diseases. Furthermore, when you care for your body and mind, you are less likely to experience difficulties with mental illness. While there’s no need to maintain a rigorous, military-like daily schedule, incorporating the following habits into your life promotes your overall happiness and wellness.
Take Care of Your Mouth
Caring about dental hygiene means you care about the health of your entire body. Poor dental health correlates with health problems much worse than bad breath. Neglecting your teeth and gums can lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, pancreatic cancer and heart disease. Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day also prevents tooth decay and gum disease, so you can hold on to your natural pearly whites for longer.
Eat Breakfast
Making a healthy breakfast first thing in the morning will set the tone for the rest of the day. If it is a balanced meal with proteins and fats balancing out any carbohydrates presence, it will keep your blood sugar stable and prevent hunger up until lunchtime. When you start your day with a healthy breakfast, you feel satiated and are more likely to pick healthier options for other meals. Also, a good breakfast can be delicious and a bright spot in your otherwise dull mornings if you simply choose to look at it that way.
Enjoy Breaks While Working
Don’t be afraid to give yourself a break at work. If your boss asks you about them, simply point out the physical, emotional and mental benefits of breaks. If you step outside for a quick walk, the fresh air and exercise improve your overall wellbeing. Breaks prevent decision fatigue and increase productivity. After taking a break, a worker feels more motivated and is better able to solve problems in a creative manner. So, go ahead and give yourself five.
Invest in “Me” (that’s You) Time
Being a giving and generous person is important, but don’t neglect to be giving to yourself. Taking a little time out of your day for “me time” is healthy. When you give yourself this opportunity to check in with your mind and body, you increase awareness that is essential for prevention. An easy way to make the most of your “me time” is by transforming your nighttime hygiene practices into a mini at-home spa. Take time to do your multi-step skincare routine with products that feel luxurious. Ease tense muscles at the end of a day with a DIY hot rock massage before a warm bath. You can sip a cup of tea and put on some relaxing music while you let the stresses of your day float into the ether so you can wind down before bed.
Prioritize Sleep
When you go to sleep, you give your mind and body the chance to reboot and re-energize for the next day. A good night’s sleep means you wake up feeling ready for the morning and all that life will throw at you. If sleep deprived, the symptoms are basically that of a hangover, even if you didn’t have even a sip of alcohol the night before.
For deep sleep night after night:
- Go to bed and wake up around the same times every day — even weekends.
- Avoid stimulants after 2 p.m. and limit your consumption of alcohol.
- Block out distractions in your room and make it a haven for sleep.
- Make sure you expend enough energy during the day with regular exercise.
- Avoid using light-emitting electronics at night.
- Read before bed.
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Everything you do during your daily routine affects how you feel. If you take time to practice self-care even with the simplest practices like eating breakfast and taking a break at work, you are less likely to develop chronic disease and mental illness. Take care of yourself from head to toe every day for a happier and healthier life.
Kevin Wells of seniordiabetic.com
kevin@seniordiabetic.com
Written for Balanced Habits, LLC
