Center Your Fitness Plan with Simple Self-Care Tips
Center Your Fitness Plan with Simple Self-Care Tips
Getting into a fitness routine can seem like a good way to fix the problems in your life. But to really feel good about yourself, you need more than a clean diet and solid exercise plan. You need to take steps to take care of yourself. Self-care can strengthen your mind and spirit, and make you stronger overall. Use these six practices to position yourself for optimal health:
Don’t Make Exercise Your Only Hobby
Exercise is a wonderful way to burn calories. But to keep yourself strong during times of stress, you’ll want to take on some other hobbies. Creative, caring hobbies are actually a positive way to boost your mood and melt stress away, so grab those paint brushes or plant a garden in your backyard. Having an edible garden in your yard or on the patio can also help you eat healthier and give your food more flavor with wholesome herbs. Whatever types of hobbies you enjoy, be sure to mix up your routine with a few soothing activities.
Keep Fitness Goals Reasonable
If your fitness routine is causing you stress, it’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate your priorities. Setting unattainable goals can set you up for failure and put pressure on you to overdo it. Too much exercise or an extreme diet can also cause serious health issues, so set reasonable goals for getting into shape. Begin with simple exercises, and build up your stamina slowly. Make small changes to your diet to help you stick to it. Staying fit is a great way to stay healthy so long as it doesn’t take over your life.
Find Efficient Forms of Exercise and Self-Care
Between work and home, you may find it hard to squeeze self-care and fitness into your schedule. That’s why it’s smart to find effective ways to tackle these wellness tasks without taking up too much time. Use a kettlebell workout or other high-intensity routine to get your workout out of the way. Practice easy self-care steps, such as keeping a journal and living in the moment each day. You can even combine your self-care routine with fitness by taking a yoga class or connecting with nature on a hike.
Motivate Yourself With Positive Mornings
The way you begin your day can make or break your mood. Set a positive tone to your days by taking time to really take in your mornings. Try to wake up on that first alarm so you don’t have to rush through your routine. Pick a positive intention and make it a point to center your day around it. If you have time, try to get in your workout before your morning shower to get your blood pumping. Last, but definitely not least, leave time to enjoy a healthy breakfast.
Re-Work Your Relaxation Routine
Sometimes, self-care can be as simple as taking some time to relax. Practicing soothing hobbies like knitting or coloring can help you unwind and decompress. Find other methods for dealing with stress, like finding space in your home for a meditation room and practicing meditation a few times a week. Buy good pillows, use a noise machine, and keep your bedroom dark to encourage deep, restful sleep. Missed out on some sleep during the week? Recent studies show that sleeping in on the weekends could balance out your sleep deficit.
Make Your Mind as Strong as Your Muscles
Your mind needs to be taken care of just as much as your body. In fact, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can have real physical health consequences, so be sure your wellness plan includes taking care of your mental health. Use a journal or other means to sort through your emotions. If you have mental health concerns, don’t let stigma keep you from getting the help you need. A psychologist can help you understand your emotions and provide you with tools to begin feeling better again.
If you really want to stay healthy, you need more than a good fitness plan. You need a plan to take care of your mental and spiritual health as well. Combine the simple self-care steps above with your fitness routine to create the healthiest version of yourself.
Photo Credit: Pexels.com
Writer: Constance Ray of Recoverywell.org