If you read my Lessons from 2020 post, you may remember that this year I want to focus on prioritizing my physical and mental wellness. I implemented a few habits into my routine in January that really made an immediate difference and I wanted to share them with you.
- Adding vitamins to my diet
I’ve never consistently taken vitamins before this year, as I’ve always believed I ate a pretty balanced diet. However, recently I’ve noticed changes in my body that I haven’t felt before. I started doing some more research on vitamins with the intention of incorporating a few into my diet that seemed to fit my age and lifestyle. I began taking Iron, Vitamin D and a Vitamin B complex at the beginning of January and have been shocked at what an immediate difference it’s made on my overall wellbeing. Not only do I feel an uplift in energy, but I’ve also noticed consistently being in a better mood. Important note: you should consult your doctor or healthcare professional before you add anything new or make any changes to your diet.
- Leaving my phone out of the bedroom
Many people have spoken about the benefits of minimizing screen time before bed, but it’s taken me a long time to implement this rule for myself. I started doing this a few weeks ago and not only noticed an increase in sleep length and quality (as I was no longer tempted to mindlessly scroll through Twitter or Reddit before bed), but also an uplift in my mood in the morning. Instead of waking up and immediately checking my phone, going through notifications and sending my mind into a frenzy (and spiking cortisol levels), this simple practice gives me time to ease into the day and actually enjoying my morning routine, instead of just going through the motions.
- Scheduling virtual workout dates with friends
I actually got this idea from my mom, who does virtual workouts with her friends on Zoom four times a week. I’ve started to schedule virtual workout dates with friends, usually streaming a live workout or doing a pre-recorded one at the same time and video chatting at the same time. Paired with the right music, it’s the next best thing to a dance party! Not only has this been really fun and something different from your average FaceTime date, it’s also been helpful at keeping me accountable with getting some movement in altogether. It’s much harder to make excuses for pushing off a workout when it means bailing on a friend.
I hope this is helpful, and if you do incorporate these small habits to your routine, I'd love to hear about them! Have you incorporated any new habits into your life this year that have made a big impact? I’d love to hear about those too!
All the best,
Xenia