We all want to try to live a healthier lifestyle. It could be to improve your physical health, or it could be to enhance your mental health. Hell, if you’re like me, you want to work on both your physical and mental health! I find that when I work on my physical health, my mental health improves, as well. Plus, my skin starts to look fabulous! What’s helping me so far this particular year? Let’s have a look and see, shall we?
Healthier new year – 7 helpful suggestions
Sleep
I’m the first to admit, it’s hard for me to fall asleep at night. It’s also hard for me to stay asleep throughout the night. I’ve the Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity + Sleep Wristband
, which tracks my sleep, and it’s not a pretty report each morning! What happens when my sleep is all funky, like it has been for about 15 months now? You gain weight; your temper flares up more often, and easier; your skin goes to hell; and you just feel sluggish all the time. It leads to miserable days for not just you, but almost everyone around you.
The moral of the story is: you have to get your sleep! It doesn’t matter if someone’s snoring next to you. So what if you’ve got a huge to-do list. You’re phone is going off, let it, because it’ll all be there in the morning. Most importantly, get comfortable. I used to sleep with three pillows, and wondered why my neck always bothered me. Even after I got my new Thunder 1.0, I was still sleeping with three pillows, but Thunder was on top of the pillows. I was doing it wrong. Thunder needed to fly solo.
Once Thunder was able to shine on his own, and I adjusted to just one pillow under my head, the sleep finally started to happen faster and longer. I’m still adjusting, but when I check my FitBit tracker each morning, the amount of times I’m awake has decreased, and the amount of times I’m restless has gone down, as well. Dang it, the right pillow is working, people. It’s working. Fingers crossed it just keeps getting better.
My bad habit of having to fall asleep with the television on is still strong, but slowly I’ll work on that aspect. For now, one small change at a time to help create the healthier lifestyle I strive for each day.
Alone Time (to read, meditate, watch a movie in silence, etc.)
Mental health is just as important as physical health, to have a healthier new year. All of us, every last one of us, need a little time to just be alone. It’s just time to relax, and not worry about anything, or anyone. Personally, I like to read, or watch a movie without having to pause it every time someone feels the need to talk to me. As someone who writes, I like to get lost in the dialogue of a movie. Being interrupted drives me bonkers, and that’s not really helping my mental health.
First, not getting enough sleep has me on edge. Second, now you’re talking over the movie I’m watching? Seriously, do you want to walk away without a limp? Just leave a woman alone, so she can watch her Fifty Shades of Grey without interruptions. Or, read her Fifty Shades of Grey books, in peace.
Alone time is a necessary piece of the health puzzle, trust me. Mental health improves your physical health.
Drink More Water
Water isn’t always fun to drink. Totally get it. I personally love drinking water, since it truly is the only thing that quenches my thirst. However, there are times I like a bit of variety. Since I can’t always drink alcohol to add some variety, I like to find some alternatives that still benefit my health. All Beauty Water has a couple of great options! I’m in love with two of the flavors: Pomegranate Rose and Strawberry Acai.
I wasn’t in love with Cucumber Aloe, but I’m sure it’s a flavor many out there would love. I love the water because it is non-GMO, Kosher, vegan, and gluten-free. It’s got no artificial flavors, has no sweeteners, and no preservatives. Even more awesome, it has vitamins built right into it that help not just your health, but your SKIN health, too. It includes vitamins A, C, D, E, B12, B6, B3 and Biotin. It also has selenium, green tea extract, magnesium, manganese, calcium, potassium and zinc. One bottle has 16 ounces of water, which means you get two glasses of water out of the way when you finish the entire bottle. I’m a fan.
I’ve only been able to find it around the city, but I did find one of my favorite flavors online at Amazon! All Beauty Water Strawberry Acai 
is probably my number one favorite, but I sure hope to be able to locate the Pomegranate Rose soon. If you find it someplace online, let me know! We’ve all got to help each other out with our healthier new year promises, right?
Grokker
Time is always a bit of an issue for me. I have just one night to hit the gym, and that’s just not enough for anyone. Sure, my gym day consists of a personal trainer helping me mold my body into something I’m happy with. However, it’s still not enough! In order to get around the time issue, I’ve grown to appreciate, and love Grokker.
At first I was just about the recipes I found on Grokker, but then I decided to give the workout videos a once over. It’s been a great investment, and an absolute must for my healthier lifestyle I’m constantly striving for!
Be prepared to fall in love with working out at home, and finding killer recipes!
***Post updated to remove multiple items from the list.***
