Taking Steps to Be a Happier, Healthier Person

Taking Steps to Be a Happier, Healthier Person

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Life can be hectic. Whether you are a busy professional or a stay-at-home parent, we always seem to fill our schedules. We fill it with social events, an endless to-do list, well-meaning goals, and a plethora of other things. Although all those things are well and good, you simply can’t ignore the importance of taking care of yourself first. Taking care of yourself not only helps you feel better, but it also helps you show up as your best for your friends, family, and career. 

Here are some steps that you can take to being a happier, healthier you.

 

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Take Mental Breaks Throughout your Day

Are you the type of person to work for 3 hours straight without taking a break? Or maybe you are the person who can’t seem to stop thinking about a problem until it is fixed. Though those habits may not seem harmful, this particular habit of not taking a mental break actually prevents you from doing good work or thinking straight when solving a complex problem. I am sure you have heard in your lifetime that it is good to step away from a problem or task when you feel yourself getting mentally tired. Well, it turns out that this is actually good for your mind. According to a study done by a psychology professor, Alejandro Lleras, from the University of Illinois found that “the brain is built to detect and respond to change, Lleras said, and “suggests that prolonged attention to a single task actually hinders performance”. His study proved that taking brief mental breaks significantly improves the quality and speed of work.

Set up a comfortable place on your patio or living room where you can retreat to when you need to take that much needed mental break. 

https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/205427

 

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Schedule a Rest Day or Time Slot of Rest

Just like taking mental breaks during the day increases productivity, the same is for taking a rest day or time slot to unplug from life during your week. This time should be reserved for things that refuel you and fill you with joy. If you need sleep, take really long naps. If you need to quiet your mind, go for a walk on the beach or read a book. If you need to laugh, watch a funny movie or spend time with friends who love to laugh. Whatever it is you end up doing, make sure it is something that fills you up and not depletes you. Guard this precious time because this will help you get back to your life as a much happier and healthier person.

https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/a-day-of-rest-12-scientific-reasons-it-works.html

 

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Be Intentional about the Food you Eat

During summer, it is easy to binge on ice cream, popsicles, hamburgers, and hotdogs. Now, before you panic, we aren’t suggesting you give up all these wonderfully tasty summer foods. What we do suggest is to practice moderation. Set up some boundaries for yourself to eat junk food once a week or only certain summer holidays. Maybe even challenge yourself to eat greens every day. You can go as far as tracking the foods you eat, your weight, and your activity level. Whatever good habit you form around food, be intentional about it, and honor yourself by sticking to it.

 

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Do Something Active 

Losing weight during the summer maybe your top fitness goal, but staying active is one of the best things you could do for your overall health. Doing activities like walking, running, swimming, biking, etc all contribute to healthy brain function and longer lifespan. In a study conducted by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, they found that consistent exercise has extremely positive effects on the overall health of a person which also included a healthy mind, no matter the age of the person.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770965/

 

All the things we mentioned are habits you can begin forming today. These are the little habits that will have a huge effect on both your present and future mental and physical health. Take that first step today!

Do you have some tips on how to be a happy, healthier person? Leave a comment below, we would love to know!

 

Works Cited

1.https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/205427

2. https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/a-day-of-rest-12-scientific-reasons-it-works.html

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770965/