This is a guest post by Marie.
It’s that time of year again – the holidays are soon to wrap up and people around the world are making resolutions for the New Year. Paying more attention to your health and wellness is likely on your list, whether you’re vowing to start a new diet or drink more water throughout the day. Here are some suggestions for improving your wellness in 2012.
Exercise daily
It’s crucial to your wellness to get your body moving. Exercise comes in many forms, including walking, running, weightlifting, and swimming. If you hate exercise in its typical forms, consider upping your activity level by engaging in vigorous housecleaning, dancing around the living room, or simply taking the stairs instead of always opting for the elevator. You might adapt to regular exercise easier if you create a home gym, complete with a stability ball, hand weights, and exercise mat. Activate your ADT security system to stay safe while you crank the tunes and work up a sweat.
Breathe deeper
Engaging in a regular yoga and meditation practice can do wonders for your wellness. Deep breathing rids the body of toxins, as you expel carbon dioxide when you exhale. Taking the time for a series of yoga postures, whether you start each morning with a few sun salutations or attend a class at a local studio, will improve your strength and teach you about the meditative breath that can keep your stress levels lower.
Consume wisely
Sometimes it’s a little too easy to zip into a fast food restaurant and drive away with a meal that may taste good temporarily but will do little, if anything, for your health. Opt for cooking at home and enjoying healthy meals that aren’t loaded with sodium, fat, and fillers. Eat locally when possible and take a cooking course if you feel your skills around the kitchen are lacking. Consider working healthier foods like vegetables into your life by participating in healthy food movements like Meatless Mondays.
Mind your environment
It’s well known that indoor air is often more polluted than what we breathe outdoors. As such, keep to a minimum the toxins you release inside, such as those that are by-products of store-bought cleansers. Use household ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice to get your housework done without exposing your family to harmful chemicals that can linger long after you finish your chores. This approach is especially helpful if you live with conditions like asthma or suffer seasonal allergies.
When it comes to discovering a new side of yourself – or renewing the wellness you once attained – keep in mind that your goals should be realistic. While you might want to be at the gym at 5:00 a.m. every morning to swim laps, starting with a more attainable plan like two or three times a week is the better choice. Ease into using natural cleansers, teaching yourself a new yoga pose or eating vegetarian meals. Taking baby steps will help you find your way to lasting wellness with more ease.
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