As the year 2021 has started, many people set a goal to maintain good health and overall wellbeing. Last year was very stressful and affected the physical and mental health of many and wanting to make a positive change is a result of it. Wellbeing doesn’t mean the absence of illness or diseases only. It’s a complex combination of many factors in your life – emotional, physical, and mental. It means you are happy, healthy, and mostly satisfied with your life. In another word, it’s how you feel about your life and yourself. 

Various studies have shown that many factors make a difference in your overall wellness and health. Diet, exercise, rest, and avoiding the use of cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol are the obvious ones. If you are interested in learning how to bring balance to your life and live a healthy lifestyle, this article will help you self-evaluate and make goals for your improvement. 

The Importance Of Good Nutrition

Many people think about good nutrition as a way to lose a few pounds or maintain a healthy weight. The truth is that the benefits of eating healthy go way beyond that. When you start eating healthy and wholesome foods your energy levels will increase, your immune system will improve, and you will start feeling better and being in a better mood generally. Proper nutrition can lower high cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure, and reduce the risk of many diseases (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, cancer, etc.)

Good nutrition means that your body is getting all the nutrients, as well as vitamins and minerals that it needs. You should eat a variety of foods and try not to exclude any major group. If, however, you are a vegan, vegetarian, or need to have a restrictive diet for any reason, supplementing is the best option for you. If you are new to this topic and you are just getting familiar with supplements, don’t worry. You can easily find all the details and explanations online. For example, search for Canadian vitamin shop that offers something for everyone’s needs – multivitamins, immune supplements, protein, or even stress management products. Consult your doctor or nutritionist and make a plan for your unique dietary needs. However, if you are allowed to eat everything but you still need some guidelines, here are a few tips for eating healthier:

• Eat plenty of vegetables – Include different colors and types of vegetables every day. Make sure you consume fresh salads and have a serving of veggies for every meal. If you aren’t a fan of vegetables, don’t worry. You can make a green smoothie and sneak a lot of kale and spinach inside. We guarantee you won’t be even able to taste them. Take a handful of greens, a banana, a cup of berries, almond milk, and some honey. Blend it all together and you will have a nutritious meal or snack in just a few minutes.
• Eat plenty of fruit – Whether you prefer eating whole fruits or juicing, ensure you consume some every single day. Whole fruit has more fiber but juices tend to give your body more vitamins in less time, so the key is to combine both approaches. Don’t worry you will gain weight from eating fruit – you would have to eat enormous portions. Still, fruit can have lots of sugar which means you should be careful if you suffer from diabetes or have insulin problems.
• Eat whole grains – Make sure your bread, pasta, cereal, and crackers are mostly whole grains. It will provide more fiber and keep you full for a longer time.
• Choose lean meats and try different sources of protein – Lean meats are a great source of protein, they have fewer calories and are better for your blood pressure and cholesterol. Also, try replacing your meat with fish, tofu, or beans a few times a week. You will feel the difference in no time.

The Importance Of Regular Exercise

You don’t need to have a gym membership to experience all the benefits of exercising. Any movement that requires your body to burn calories and makes your muscles work counts as an exercise. Whether you enjoy running, swimming, dancing, or just walking it’s important to move your body and be active every day. It has many physical and mental benefits, boosts your mood, and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

Studies have shown that exercise decreases stress, anxiety, and depression and increases the production of endorphins. It’s good for your muscles and bones, especially when combined with adequate protein intake. Some of the other benefits are increased energy levels, reduced risks of chronic disease, better brain health and memory, and better sleep quality.

Exercising in nature is even better for your well-being. Fresh air and vitamin D from the sunlight are essential. Not to mention that looking at greenery makes you feel better mentally and helps calm your nervous system.

The Importance Of Good Sleep

Sleeping well is incredibly important for your health and your overall well-being. Some studies show that it’s even more important than your diet and exercising. Unfortunately, many people suffer from insomnia and there are many factors that can damage our natural sleep patterns. 

Stress at work, unexpected challenges, and family responsibilities are something you can’t control, but you can still adopt some habits that will help you sleep better. Try sticking to a sleep schedule and create a restful environment in your bedroom. Maybe you should consider limiting your daytime naps since they can interfere with your nighttime sleep. Avoid napping for more than 30 minutes a day if you can and don’t do it late in the day. 

Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Never go to bed completely hungry but make sure you don’t overeat either. Avoid heavy meals, nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol.

Try to relax and resolve your worries before you go to bed. Find your own way to unwind and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Meditation, journaling, and yoga have proven to be very helpful.

Good health is both about your body and your mind. Learning how to take care of yourself is very important and it doesn’t have to be difficult at all. Think of it as a journey towards the best version of yourself and enjoy it.