Body: Physical Wellness
Our bodies are one of the most important things we have. They carry us through life and allow us to experience all the world has to offer and connect with others. It's important to take care of them so that they can continue to function properly and give us the best possible quality of life. Doing so can help us maintain a healthy weight, reduce risk of chronic diseases, improve overall health and well-being, and live a longer, healthier life.
There are many things we can do to take care of your body. Some of the most important things include:
Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It is also important to limit your intake of unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt.
Exercise regularly. Exercise is important for both your physical and mental health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
Get enough sleep. Most adults need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Avoid unhealthy habits. Unhealthy habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use, can have a negative impact on your health.
See your doctor regularly. It is important to see your doctor for regular check-ups. This will allow your doctor to monitor your health and identify any potential problems early on.
Taking care of your body is an important part of a healthy and well-balanced life.
*You should always consult your physician or other healthcare provider before changing your diet or starting an exercise program
Nutrition & Diet
What we put into our bodies is one of the most important decisions we make each day. Eating a healthy diet is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, reducing your risk of chronic diseases, and improving your overall health and well-being.
What is a healthy diet?
A healthy diet is one that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods from all food groups. These foods should be eaten in moderation and should be balanced with physical activity.
There are many ways to eat a healthy diet. Here are a few tips:
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables (eat more of these)
Choose whole grains over refined grains (eat less of these)
Include lean protein sources in your diet
Limit your intake of unhealthy fats
Watch and control portion sizes, especially when eating out
Drink plenty of water
Plan meals (and grocery shopping) in advance
Make healthy snacks available (unprocessed and without added sugars)
Cook at home more often and eat out less often
Additional Nutrition Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/features/healthy-eating-tips/index.html
Physical Fitness
Starting and maintaining a physical fitness program can often feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. There are many things you can do to make the process easier and more enjoyable. One of the most important steps is to develop a workout plan.
A workout plan is a roadmap that outlines your fitness goals and how you plan to achieve them. It includes your workout schedule, the exercises you'll do, and the intensity of your workouts.
Why do we need workout plans?
If you're new to working out, a workout plan can help you to get started safely and effectively. If you're trying to lose weight or build muscle, a workout plan can help you to track your progress and make sure you're on track.
How to create a workout plan
There are a few things you need to consider when creating a workout plan. First, you need to decide what your fitness goals are. Are you trying to lose weight, build muscle, or improve your overall fitness? Second, you should choose what exercises that you'll do. There are many different exercises to choose from, so you should find ones that you enjoy and that will help you to reach your goals (searching online or finding a personal fitness trainer can help with this). Third, you should decide how often you'll work out. A good goal is to plan to work out 3-5 times per week, but you may need to adjust this based on your fitness goals and your schedule. Fourth, you need to decide how intense your workouts will be. If you're new to working out, you may want to start with low to moderate-intensity workouts and gradually increase the intensity as you get stronger.*
Here are a few tips for sticking to your workout plan:
Make it a priority
The first step to sticking to your workout plan is to make it a priority. If you're not sure how to schedule your workouts, try to find a time that works for you and stick to it as much as possible.
Find a workout buddy
Working out with a friend can make it more fun and motivating. If you can find a friend who is also trying to stick to a workout plan, you can encourage each other and help each other to stay on track. Your workout buddy doesn’t even have to work out with you. Sometimes just sharing our goals with likeminded people can help keep us accountable and motivated.
Make it enjoyable
If you're not enjoying your workouts, you're less likely to stick to them. Find exercises that you enjoy and that you find challenging. If you're not sure what exercises you enjoy, try a variety of different ones until you find ones that you like.
Track your progress
Tracking your progress can help you to stay motivated and to see how you're doing. There are many different ways to track your progress including keeping a journal, tracking your workouts in a fitness tracker, or using a weight loss app.
Be patient and be kind to yourself
It takes time and effort to see results from a workout plan. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away. Just keep at it and you will eventually see and feel results. Also, don’t compare yourself to others. Your journey is your own.
*Starting a workout plan can be a great way to improve your physical fitness and your overall health, but be sure to consult your physician or other healthcare provider before starting an exercise program if this is new to you.
Some Thoughts about Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for good health. When you sleep, your body has a chance to rest and repair itself. Sleep also helps to improve your mood, concentration, and memory.
Unfortunately, many people struggle to get enough sleep. There are a number of reasons why this might be the case, including stress, anxiety, and medical conditions.
If you're not getting enough sleep, there are a number of things you can do to improve your sleep habits. Here are a few tips:
Create a relaxing bedtime routine. This could include taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to calming music.
Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed.
Get regular exercise. Exercise can help you to sleep better at night.
Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends.
Meditate.
Try sound healing therapy.
See a doctor if you're still having trouble sleeping. There may be an underlying medical condition that is interfering with your sleep.