Uplevel Your Health in the New Year
With the New Year just around the corner, NOW is the perfect time to get a jumpstart on adding in healthy habits to support your daily life and longevity! Whether you want to increase your energy, improve your nutrition, enhance your physical performance, optimize your mental well-being – or all of the above – below are some foundational aspects of whole body health to inspire you to uplevel in the New Year!
START WITH SUNSHINE
Morning sun improves your energy, helps regulate your hormones, and improves your sleep! Natural light exposure to your eyes and skin actually signals your hypothalamus (the master conductor in your brain) and corresponding organs and glands to be alert and “wake up.” That light exposure, specifically sunlight exposure, triggers your body to produce optimal levels of daytime hormones and regulates your biological clock. Too little light exposure during the day, and too much “fake” light exposure late in the evening (from screens, overhead lighting, etc.) will negatively impact your ability to sleep well at night, and set you up for less energy the next day.
DISCONNECT WITH DIGITAL DOWNTIME
Establish a routine of reducing your screen time. Give yourself at least 30 min each morning before you check email, scroll social media, or turn on the tv. Use that time to get your body and mind aligned for the day ahead. Make a healthy breakfast, perform your morning workout, do some moderate yoga stretches, bounce about on a rebounder, or set your objectives and goals for the day. Alot the same downtime before bed, to help you get the most restorative sleep. You’ll be more productive, experience less stress, and feel better overall as a result.
FOCUS ON REAL FOOD
The holiday season is a time for festivities and fun – and is often accompanied by more food and drink! Make the New Year can be a time to reset and refocus on foods that support your goals and get you back “on track.” But drop the deprivation mindset and enjoy nourishing yourself with real, whole foods. Keep it simple at first with easy to prepare meals, and consider ordering from an online healthy meal service if you need a little extra inspiration or structure. Be sure to prioritize quality protein at each meal to help balance your blood sugar, and fill up on fiber with plenty of veggies – both of these will help support your detox pathways, too, which is always a good idea (especially post-holiday indulgence)!
MOVE MORE
No matter where you are in your health journey or stage of life, start with walking! Even the simple act of a morning or evening walk can increase your energy, improve body composition, and positively impact your mindset. The most noticeable, immediate, and reliable benefits of regular physical activity are significant improvements in feelings of vitality and well-being – having physical and mental energy, a sense of enthusiasm, and stable energy. Exercise is also an incredible way to cut through brain fog and enhance mental clarity. There’s a lot you can do at the gym to improve your metabolism, but what you do consistently, in everyday life, has even greater effects on your body composition, energy levels, and overall health.
SET A SLEEP SCHEDULE
Although sleep is a foundational (and arguably one of, if not the most important component of well-being), many of us often undervalue our sleep. Maintaining a sleeping routine that allows you to get a solid 7-8 hours each night can be a game-changer when it comes to achieving optimal health. Regardless of the day of the week, you should be sleeping and getting up at roughly the same time. This enables your body to create a regular sleep-wake cycle, resulting in restful and restorative sleep. Reduce your coffee intake and put your screens away at least an hour before bed if you have difficulties falling asleep. Another good practice to incorporate into your bedtime routine is turning off your wifi at night, and setting your thermostat to somewhere between 65-69 degrees.
The New Year is often synonymous with a fresh start, and we naturally gravitate toward making positive changes in our lives. So, take some time to really consider the most impactful, positive changes you want to make in your life. Now that you have some inspiration and tips on how to make 2023 your healthiest year yet, start TODAY! If it feels overwhelming at first, assign one new healthy habit to incorporate into each week or month.
Ready to uplevel your health this year?! Seek advisement with our specialists, and let us guide you with the most effective practices for your unique needs! We offer a wellness-focused & supportive environment that can help you achieve your goals. Be sure to check our social media and blog updates for regular wellness inspiration, information, offers, and support.
The Back 2 Normal blog is an educational resource written by Back 2 Normal employees and professional associates. Back 2 Normal bloggers are professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.
