Top tips to help you feel better every day
1. Spend at least one hour a day outdoors
Being indoors all day lowers serotonin levels. It is important to get
out and about. Stop to smell the roses and enjoy a sunset regularly, it greatly
improves your quality of life! Breathe deeply and breathe fresh air. Even 5
minutes can make a difference.
2. Keep your diet balanced
Good nutrition starts with eating a balanced diet and as many kinds of
foods daily as you can. When you eat, slow down, enjoy your food and chew it
well. Naturopaths suggest choosing a wide variety of fresh fruits and
vegetables and to not overcook them. Also try to eat fish at least twice a week
especially salmon or tuna. Good nutrition also means less saturated fat – limit
sauces, gravies and margarine and remove or trim excess fat from animal
products. Reduce caffeine and alcohol, but increase the amount of water you
drink. Aim to have at least 2 litres daily and try to use a water filter.
3. Practice relaxation
This can be in the form of gardening, meditation, tai chi, or reading a
good novel – whatever you enjoy doing. It’s important to take time out. Sitting
in front of the TV and reading a magazine at the same time is not relaxation,
yoga or meditation or sitting in a quiet room with some relaxation music – is!
Time out is vital to restore your energies and bring balance into your life.
When you relax, try and really relax.
4. Create your own Spa bath
Invest in lavender oil or a particular natural essence, which appeals to
your sense of smell and pop a few drops into your bath at least once a week
(more often if possible). Light a few candles, turn out the lights and just
relax. You may or may not want to take some form of music into the bathroom
with relaxation music to help remove your brain from a busy day.
5. Enjoy a regular massage
Regular massage can help to keep your muscles and joints supple, to
reduce tension and help eliminate toxins. Aim to have a massage each month if
you can.*If your finances don’t allow for a monthly massage contact a local
school teaching massage. These schools need people to practise on and provide
the service for a nominal fee. Students working on you are at the very end of
their tuition and know what they are doing.
6. A facial, eyelash tint, manicure, pedicure
Perhaps you can’t manage or afford them all but book at least one to fit
into a week or month when you need to pamper yourself. Finaces stretched? Check
with local beauty schools, students need you and you need them to pamper you!
7. Spoil yourself every now and then
Whether it is a weekend away or a couple of hours having beauty
treatments choose something that will make you feel really good. Plan for it
and let yourself enjoy!
8. Develop strong coping mechanisms
Find a balance by doing things that you enjoy, away from the environment
that causes you stress. This activity will be different for each person, but
for example play some golf, go fishing, or perhaps enjoy a massage.
9. Do some regular exercise
Exercise gives you a natural sense of well being, and prevents you
becoming tired and exhausted too easily from increases in adrenaline levels, so
it is important to make physical activity habitual. If you find this difficult,
find an activity that you really enjoy doing, and this will be much easier.
This may mean that you need to try a few different things before you find what
you like. If you do have limited time, make sure to make this exercise most
efficient by doing this at the most optimal time – before breakfast.
10. Incorporate stretching into your daily routine
Many people have stiff and rigid muscles, but it only takes a few days
to loosen up and enjoy stretching sessions. Stretching should be done regularly
and is easy to do: first thing in the morning when you get out of bed, after
sitting or standing for long periods of time, for example driving, on a plane,
sitting at a desk and after exercise when muscles are really warm.
11. Start each day with a healthy breakfast
At least 5 days out of 7, make sure you have a substantial, healthy
breakfast. The benefits of a healthy breakfast are well documented,
particularly one that is low in fat, high in fibre, and has a low glycemic
index.
12. Give yourself a break at dinner time!
Make sure a couple of meals each week do not require Jamie Oliver type
dedication and skill. Purchase a BBQ chicken or even a pizza and make a salad.
The adults and kids will not suffer long term nutrition deficiencies – if you
decide to take a couple of nights off from toiling in the kitchen.
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