5 Simple things to do today to feel great
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When looking for ways to improve your health, most people look at the big picture rather then all the little things you can be doing along the way.
Often you see people with goals like running a marathon or never eating sugar ever again, instead of things like approaching life with more gratitude, or cooking in more instead of going out to eat.
These goals are more achievable and just as important. I believe it’s more about what you do most of the time, then one big moment every so often.
Let’s face it, there is A LOT of information out there on what it means to be healthy and it’s easy to get intimidated. My advice is to not let being perfect or always doing it the “right” way prevent you from just getting started.
There are SO many things that make up a healthy lifestyle, far beyond just eating well and exercising. It’s important you give great focus to your daily rituals, environment, mindset, and lifestyle as well!
1. Make a habit of drinking lemon water in the morning
If you want to start your day right, begin with a glass of room temperature lemon water!
All it takes is squeezing 1/2 to 1 whole organic lemon into a glass of water each morning.
This is by far my favorite daily ritual and it really sets the par for the course of my day to eat well and feel good. Our bodies and digestive systems work hard overnight to restore and regenerate, and it’s important to adequately hydrate in the morning to jumpstart your energy, mind, and of course- digestion.
This is a simple ritual absolutely everyone can incorporate into their day! Not to mention it’s refreshing, inexpensive, will wake your body up, and is also a nice boost for your immunity as lemons contain Vitamin C.
2. Take a walk
A lot of people assume they have to work out 7 days a week and be dripping sweat at every workout in order for it to matter. But this just isn’t true. If there is one tip I can give anyone to be healthy-it is to move not kill themselves at the gym!
There are many studies that show that walking and moving consistently throughout the day is more effective then sitting all day but doing an hour of vigorous exercise. Many people don’t do any walking but to and from their car and from their car to work!
So I urge you to talk a walk. Whether that’s a longer walk or just a few 10-15 minute walks whenever you can make time throughout the day. Listen to music, a podcast, or just be quiet and think.
Getting outside and taking a walk will also help you absorb some Vitamin D, which will improve your energy and mood.
Incorporate a walk into your morning routine, mid-day at work after you've been sitting for hours, or to decompress at the end of a stressful day. Make it fun! Walk with a friend and catch up, your dog if you have one, walk somewhere you normally drive, or do simple things like parking farther away from the grocery store.
3. Get rid of the clothes in your closet you don’t wear anymore
There is nothing that feels more claustrophobic to me then a messy closet. I hate it when I can’t find anything because it's jam-packed with clothes I don’t wear anymore. So every once in a while I buckle down for an hour or two and pull out those items I know I’ll never wear again, don’t fit, or I’ve just lost a lust for. I either sell them at a local consignment shop or donate them to Goodwill.
You’d be amazed at how much of your wardrobe you actually wear.
And what about those things that don’t fit- why are you holding onto them? Do you really want to look at those each time you go in your closet?
Letting go in all aspects of your life is extremely important. Unhealthy relationships, patterns and habits that no longer serve you, and even clothes. It’s important to let go of things, so that you can move forward. The more you hold on, the more you’ll have a challenging time reaching your goals.
So, get rid of those things in your closet that don’t make you happy!
4. Prep your meals
Just like a cleaning and organizing a closet feels really good, so does having prepped meals in the fridge.
A common complaint I hear about the challenge with eating healthy is that it takes too much time. This is where you have to consider how important your goals are to you, and decide that caring for yourself and becoming a priority in your life is important.
Twice a week, make time to grocery shop and prepare a few healthy meals. Make it simple, and portion them into tupperware so you are ready to go and don’t have to even think. You will take SO much stress off your plate (literally) by doing this I promise you!
Meal ideas can be as simple as:
- 1 can of wild salmon mixed with 1/2 an avocado, 1 tsp. mustard, 1 tsp. olive oil, and sea salt atop a handful of mixed greens
- 2 organic baked chicken thighs with sea salt and 1/2 cup steamed sweet potato with cinnamon and nutmeg
- 1/2 pound sautéed grass-fed ground beef with garlic, paprika, and sea salt and roasted broccoli and zucchini cooked in 1 tbsp. ghee or coconut oil and sea salt
5. Do something nice for someone
There’s not much that feels better then doing something for another person.
- Text someone and tell them that you appreciate their friendship
- Make your significant other their coffee or tea in the morning
- Be a shoulder to cry on for a friend going through a tough time, like a breakup, health issue, or bad day
- Smile at a stranger when you pass them on the street or waiting in line at the grocery store
- Support a small business or new company
- Tell anyone that serves you- a waiter, sales person, barista, parking attendant- THANK YOU.
What are you going to incorporate into your day today to feel great?
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