I love all health related topics as of late but who doesn’t? Social Media is all over the #wellness trend. I’ll admit, I didn’t grow up caring much about food.. all i wanted to do was try different foods and eat everything. Food was my hobby.
It wasn’t till my late teens that I started noticing that my body was just holding on to so much weight and I was taking in more calories than I was burning. With a few shifts in my diet and daily exercise I lost 35 lbs within months. I was 18 after all.
Things really changed in my early twenties and that’s when i realized I really need to step up my game and really take care of myself. It can seem so challenging with so many health gurus out there and so much content all over social media. This is why I am breaking it down to just the basics. Here are some of my basic tips to help keep you balanced:
Allergies
Half the time when people around me get sick it is typically from allergies. Staying on top of your allergy medicine and allergies in general is super beneficial. On top of that, as we get older our bodies can’t always process the same foods anymore. If you are one of the many who don’t run into this problem you can move on over to the next topic, however dairy intolerance is a real issue. In fact, Dean Foods just filed for bankruptcy recently with hopes that this will help them get rid of some of their dairy assets. People are just becoming more informed and not purchasing as much dairy products anymore. Have you noticed that you are bloated, groggy or fatigued? Start a food journal to see if you have a potential allergy. The food allergy tests are difficult to truly find out what you are allergic to and this process of elimination can help you figure out potential causes. Of course consult with your medical professional on this issue if you have noticed any changes.
Water
Oh man, we can’t ever hear enough about drinking more water. However it can curb your sugar cravings at work which honestly i think we do to avoid work in the first place. How many times have you actually been hungry when you had some sugar. Next time you want more food or have a sugar/caffeine craving I would take a sip from a big jug of water and see how you feel. I like the rule of thumb to drink half your weight in oz of water at minimum per day.
Check ups
Check ups may not seem as a necessity through out your twenties but you can diagnose small issues ahead of time before they become bigger issues later on in life. The hardest part is setting up that first appointment. Getting your eye exam, skin exam, biannual dental cleaning/checkup and annual blood work are just the few things you can do to just stay on top of your wellness. It’s important because as we get older we have stress and dietary changes and this can start impacting our bodies. Sometimes we are unaware that we are low on a certain supplement and that can change our whole mood! Hello Vitamin D! Some companies will even bring a medical professional to the office for the employees so you can save time on setting up the appointment yourself. My biggest tip is to reschedule for next year immediately after your appointment and that way you don’t even have to think about it!
Eating Real Food
The health food trend is a blessing and a curse. There are so many more options now but also it’s a huge market for companies to make money. Familiarize yourself with local and seasonal produce and the basics like oats, rice, fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables and you really don’t have to break the bank. Some grocery stores will even mark down the produce towards the end of the day so they don’t have to throw it away. Staying away from fat food and foods that are not made at home will not only keep viruses at bay but also keep your digestion and mental health more clear too. It’ll also save you money in the long run for more important things in life like a gym membership or extra cash for a few yoga sessions.
Exercise
I grew up loving to be active and exercising but then college happened and walking around campus was an exercise in itself. It wasn’t until my junior year when my body was screaming for stress relievers and that’s when I went to my first yoga class. After college I started my career and i realized that i was going to die if i came to work and sat all day and then went home and sat on the couch. My life had become sedentary to the extreme and it was screaming for some movement. Easy ways to get movement throughout the day is going for a brisk walk or two during work hours. You can even try to go right before work and after work. Supplementing this with a few workout sessions throughout the week will also help! These new fitness watches are all the rage but you can use your phone if you don’t have one to at minimum get your 10K or so steps a day. My friends that live in the city aim for 20K steps if you want that for comparison.
What ways do you stay on top of your health? Are there exercises or other mindful approaches you take to get not only some me time but also some wellness into your daily life? Share below!