In these busy times that we live in now, how are we able to maintain healthy habits, routines, etc. when life is so chaotic? How do we make good choices when all we’re doing is trying to keep our heads above water and survive?
Our life is full of differing opinions that we hear daily regarding everything from what’s happening in the world, to staying healthy, to improving our diet & lifestyle, and everything in between. So which way do we turn?
But, just like everything, the key to all of this isn’t to go to the extreme as everyone likes to tell us. The happy spot actually lies somewhere right in the middle.
It’s about finding what works for you! It took me a while to understand this and believe me, I still work on it daily.
Below I have 5 tips to bring us health and happiness in our hectic lives. I wanted to share this with you in the hopes that even one of these tips can help you in your life too.
When I first started on my journey to find more energy, optimal health and happy skin – I felt so overwhelmed.
I started to read a lot of books and went online to find out more, and it always seemed like everyone else had it all figured out (or so it seemed). I read so many varying opinions that my head was spinning, but I knew that I wanted to become educated so I could properly understand my body, how it works, and what it really needs.
I’ve been on this journey now for the past 8 years or so, and I’ve learned many lessons; things that could have saved me a lot of energy, anxiety and time had I known them early on!
As a Licensed Holistic Nutrition and Health Practitioner, I feel I want to share my insights with you in the hopes that I can save you from making the same mistakes I did, and wasting so much time trying to figure it out, while listening to all that “noise”.
Here are 5 tips that I wish I knew at the beginning of my health journey.
1. You are a unique individual, with unique needs. There is NO one-size-fits-all approach to health.
The way of eating, exercising and living, that you observe in others most likely will not work the same way for you. And that’s okay! I spent so much of my time following the fitness and healthy eating influencers on social media, trying to copy what they were doing to reach my health goals. Sure, I learned some things that improved my life a little bit, but at the end of the day, it didn’t get me where I wanted to be. I’ve finally come to realize that the only way, and I mean the only way, you can achieve balance and true health is by listening to YOUR body and doing what IT needs.
2. No amount of knowledge will ever be powerful unless you put it to use!
You can read books and articles, listen to podcasts or TED talks, take classes or watch online webinars until you’re a literal walking encyclopedia of health. None of that matters unless you DO SOMETHING with that knowledge! I spent a lot of time researching and not enough time implementing what I learned. If for example, you read about eliminating gluten, dairy and sugar to help heal your skin and think that it’s something that could benefit you – test it out! The only way you’ll know is if you try it out for yourself and give your body the time to heal, it takes time and commitment.
3. What works for you today, might not work for you a week, month or year from now.
Our bodies are constantly changing and so the way we feed them needs to change. You could be thriving on a vegetarian diet today, but a year from now, you could suddenly have cravings for meat. That’s your body’s way of communicating with you. By listening to and honouring your body, you’ll be able to understand exactly what it needs at any given time.
4. Sometimes, we need help to reach our goals – and that’s okay.
You don’t have to be on this journey alone! Finding a friend, partner or family member to support you and hold you accountable to reach your goals is a major part of being successful. I had spent years trying to figure out why I had low energy, constant digestive issues, skin issues, and mood swings on my own. I finally found what worked for me, but it took years of study and testing. Sometimes you just need to realize it’s time to get outside support. Seeing a Naturopathic doctor for example could be what you need. Seeking the help of a professional who understands you and your situation can be very helpful. And can be much faster for you and you’ll learn so much about your body in the process.
5. You have to give yourself space for rest and fun to create happiness.
We are not machines, and cannot be in work mode all the time. We need time for rest and recovery, relaxation and FUN! When we focus on doing and achieving all the time, we’re not allowing ourselves to acknowledge and just be in the moment, and that’s when we quickly burn out. Constant burnout shows up in the body such as continuously getting colds or the flu, achy joints and muscles, brain fog, skin issues, irritability and anxiousness. (Sound familiar?) We’re definitely not here to work ourselves into the ground and keep reaching for the next “best” thing. Enjoy being where you’re at right now…!
This was, and probably still is, the hardest thing for me to implement. I’m naturally a hard worker, but I’m finding that when I give myself dedicated breaks and take time to slow down, to just breathe, do pilates or yoga and self-care, I perform so much better in every aspect of my life. Not only do I like myself and my life more, but I am also happier, healthier and better able to be there for others as well.
I hope this list has helped you to see that we do not need to figure things out right away. Let’s break the cycle of over-working and under-caring for ourselves! It takes trial and error, time and more time. Listen to what your body is telling you, look at the clues your body is giving you, and before you know it, you and your body will become an amazingly happy place.
To Your Health and Wellness,
