Starting From Scratch: The Building Blocks You Need For Healthier, Happier You

A lot of people tend to leave their resolutions until the New Year. We all know the old saying “new year, new you,” but how many of us have had much success pinning all our hopes for self-improvement on the fact that there’s the added pressure of a self-imposed timeframe? There is a reason why New Year’s resolutions work out so rarely. It’s because we set unrealistic goals on this arbitrary date, and then we tell ourselves that they were doomed to fail because New Year’s resolutions never work out anyway, right? 

With that in mind, this time of year is the perfect time to start thinking about putting together the building blocks for a healthier, happier you. The winter is on the way but right now we are still in the grace period of the fall, which means we still have some time to play around with our schedules and routines to find the fit that is going to work when the days are at their shortest and the weather is at its worst. This is a great time for you to do your research and think about what kind of changes you can make to your diet and your downtime to help you feel more comfortable and confident. To help you feel more like yourself. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you to get to started.

Know What You Want To Achieve

It is all very well to know that you want to be healthier and happier. But if you want to make some big steps forward, then it may be helpful to think about setting some goals. Are there specific targets that you want to get to? For example, maybe you have a certain amount of weight that you would like to lose. Maybe you would like to be more physically fit and to get in better shape. Alternatively, maybe there has been a health issue that has been bothering you that you know could be eased with some diet and lifestyle changes. Make sure you know what you want to gain from this new approach.

Set Realistic Goals

Following on from the point above: setting goals is important, but you need to be realistic about them. If you give yourself a target that you are never going to reach, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. This is a really good way to find yourself in a self-punishing cycle where you blame your inability to meet your targets on yourself, rather than the targets themselves. It is much better to start from the ground up rather than overreaching. 

Make A Plan

Once you have your target set, it is time to start thinking about how you can get a routine going. Realistic goals will absolutely help with this, and you should think about how much time you have available in your day. For example, if you are still working from home, try getting out of bed an hour earlier to get some exercise in or make your healthy meals for the day. 

Getting some fresh air and exercise is so important for our physical and mental health. It’s not just about getting our daily vitamin D dose; it’s about getting your body and mind moving. When it comes to your diet and any supplements that you might be looking at (more on those in just a moment), make sure that you are drawing up a meal plan at the start of every week. Not only is this a great way to make sure that you avoid giving into temptation with some unhealthy choices, it is also a great way to keep to your budget and trim extra expenses.

Do Your Research

A lot of people tend to rely on old ideas of how to live healthier if they are trying to get into a better routine for the first time in a long time. We fall back on what we were told when we were kids, or the things that we half-remember working back when we were younger. It is crucial to remember that while some good habits never change, your body does, and there are always different approaches that you can look at depending on your needs. This is important when it comes to exercises that can be more focused to deal with specific issues that you may be having. 

For example, if you are exercising to ease stress and tension, then stretching is a vital part of any workout plan, and some mindful yoga time could be just what you need. Similarly, it is important to do your research about supplements and additions to your diet that could help with any pain or discomfort that you may be experiencing. We are still learning so much about gut health and stomach issues, and prebiotics and probiotics have been shown to make a real difference to people’s lives. If you are wondering what the best prebiotics supplements are for you, then this guide from expert Dr. Ruscio breaks down everything you need to know. Dr. Ruscio has literally written the book on gut health and his website has a wealth of resources to help you.

Remember To Be Kind To Yourself

Realistic goals are important, but it is important to remember that the path to a happier healthier routine and lifestyle is not always as quick and easy as you might like. There will always be days when you are not as happy with your progress as you feel you should be. Some of these adjustments will take time to show results. 

If you are trying to lose a few pounds, it is important to remember that your weight may fluctuate and that getting healthier is about more than just seeing a lower number every time you step onto the scales. Try to avoid falling into the trap of pinning everything on visible results. Remember that this is something that you are doing because you want to feel better, and that beating yourself up about your progress is not going help you achieve that goal. 

Make Sure That You Are Getting Enough Rest

This point sounds so simple, doesn’t it? “Are you getting enough sleep?” is up there with “Are you drinking enough water?” when it comes to the standard responses to not feeling great. But as an adult you should be getting at least seven hours of sleep a night. But it is not just about making sure that you go to bed early. You need to make sure that you are getting the right kind of sleep. A lot of us struggle with feeling like we are properly rested, and that means that we both lack the energy to get into a healthy routine, and that we start to rely on snacks and unhealthy food and drink to get us through the day. 

If you feel like you are not getting enough rest, then think about creating a sleep routine. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and think about how you can create an atmosphere that is restful and soothing. Stop looking at your screens at least an hour before you go to sleep. Get about half an hour of exercise a day if you can. If you are still struggling, it may be worth talking to your doctor.