Top 5 Things To Become Healthier & Happier

First off, let me start by wishing you all a very happy New Year! For some, this is a time where commitments and goals are locked in, motivation is high and you’re ready to embark on the journey of positive lifestyle change. I won’t lie to you. It’s not going to be easy. Lifestyle changes that stick, take time. Sometimes they require a couple of trials and a few failures. It’s the efforts you make consistently, over time that will carry you through to change.

Here are five things that I personally do consistently that have helped me become a healthier, happier me:

1. Eat lots of veggies and fruits

Don’t get me wrong, I love chocolate. Yes, I just did that. I brought up chocolate when I’m supposed to be talking about vegetables and fruits. I digress…There’s a reason why this is #1 on my list! Eating more veggies and fruits means there’s less room for the C.R.A.P. (carbonated drinks, refined sugars, artificial foods, processed foods, etc.). And they’re good for you – really good.

2. Drink Water

I make water my drink of choice. Then wine and coffee, but I digress again…Water comes with me literally everywhere I go. I keep a large mason jar on my desk with a big straw. I have a water bottle for my car and in the bag that I take with me on the bus to work every morning. It’s very rare to see me drinking a carbonated drink. Yes, I also drink coffee (1-2 a day) and yes, I also drink wine (but in moderation and usually with great company)!

3. Exercise

Find a workout buddy and commit to doing something every week – whether it’s going for a hike, going to the gym or heading out for a run. Some weeks are better than others. It helps that I teach spin classes weekly, so I know that those are my committed days to exercise. Some days I go for a 30-60 min walk at work over lunch.

4. Be mindful of your mental health

We tend to connect “health” with our physical being – but health is multifaceted and includes our feelings, emotions, and happiness too. A few things that I do consistently to take care of my mental health are:

1. Journaling on my phone (I use an app that allows me to record voice journals).
2. Read (a lot of self-help and other times mindless fictional thrillers).
3. Laugh (a lot). Sometimes with others, rarely at others and mostly at myself!
4. Communicate. I like to talk things through – whether it’s with family, a friend and at times it’s been a therapist, counselor or psychologist.
5. Sleep. I try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night (but sometimes 10)!

 

5. Take time to relax

The term “relax” is very subjective. My idea of relaxing is laying on the couch with a good book, spending down time with family, cuddling with my dog-sister or spending an evening at Le Nordik with a friend. Regardless of what it is, I try to find time daily that will allow me to unwind, relax and decompress from a hard day’s work.

Find what works for you and keep plugging away at it.

Jenn Giurgevich is the founder of Spark Nutrition & Health, a virtual nutrition consulting business.
Visit www.sparknutritionandhealth.ca for more information.