Between the constant phone 'pings', climbing the corporate ladder, coordinating the kids' sports and a never-ending to-do list, there's no doubt we're busier than ever. Throw in trying to navigate the millions of opposing opinions about nutrition and it makes sense that you’d just want to throw your hands in the air and order a pizza out of sheer frustration!
But before you reach for the delivery number, let’s take health and happiness back to basics. As we approach the busy Christmas period, try focussing on these simple principles to keep you on track.
- Breathe deeply, more often
Stop through the day to take a few deep breaths. Taking a deep breath in and a longer breath out is the quickest way to signal our parasympathetic nervous system to calm down. Taking us out of the constant ‘fight and flights’ stress mode that many of us are living in.
- Drink more water
Aim for at least two litres per day and make sure that you’re starting your day with a glass of water. Drink more water for quicker weight loss, more energy, less brain-fog, less bloating, better digestion and so much more!
- Eat more vegetables
Challenge yourself to include vegetables into your three main meals – go for lots of green leafy and brightly coloured vegetables. Mix up the diversity to keep your gut bacteria happy.
- Move everyday
Find exercise that you enjoy and work out what it takes for you to stick to it. It can be anything, just get your body moving (why not try a daily lounge room dance-off before heading out the door to get yourself pumped for the day ahead).
- Improve your sleep
Aim to be in bed earlier and find ways to wind down before you head hits the pillow to avoid the mental chatter when you’re trying to drift off. Get off screens at least 30 minutes prior to bedtime, try a mediation practice or the ‘legs up the wall’ yoga post.
- Explore stress
No one is saying that you need to quit your job or move to an ashram in India, but you can explore your reaction to the stressors in your life and experiment with changing your perspective.
Stuck at a red light? Instead of being frustrated, what if you took that time to practice deep-breathing, sipped on your water of thought about how you might get more vegetables into your dinner tonight. You’ll be on your way to feeling happier.