My Top 5 Wellness Tips
The holidays can be so busy and distracting, it's important to double down on the things that make us feel good, inside and out. Today I'm sharing my top 5 wellness tips. I'd love to hear yours—hop into my private women's wellness FB group and share your tips and tricks.
Without further ado...
1. Meditation
These darker days, meditation is the anchor in my wellness routine. I've been setting my alarm :30 earlier than usual to begin my day in the best way possible, incorporating meditation, slow yoga, and a bit of writing or reading. It doesn’t have to be long, hard, or overly complicated. There are times when this doesn't fit into my schedule, so instead I make sure to take 3 or 4 time-outs during the day—5 slow, deep breaths to reset my nervous system. Simply this can change your world.
2. Balanced Plate
What you put on the table vastly influences your health, including energy levels, hormones, inflammation, insulin regulation, and your weight (to name a few). The goal is to eat in a way that keeps your blood sugar steady throughout the day. If you stay full 3–4 hours after eating, this is an indicator that your blood sugar is stable! If you're hungry 30 minutes to an hour after, this is a sign that your blood sugar is not as stable as it should be. Each meal should ideally contain good protein, healthy fats, and fiber (via complex carbs).
3. Fermented Foods
Your gut health influences EVERYTHING—your immune system, energy levels, mental health, mood, appearance, and so much more. This is why I’m huge on fermented foods. They contain live probiotic bacteria to promote a happy, healthy gut which we all need for good digestive health. My favorites are sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, kimchi, and kombucha. A little bit goes a long way: medicinally, you only need 1–2 forkfuls a day!
4. Replenish Adrenals
Your adrenal glands control your cortisol levels, which are impacted by stress. There are two kinds of stressors: internal and external. Internal stressors are things such as mismanaged blood sugar, inadequate sleep, lack of physical activity, hidden viruses, or infections. External stressors occur outside the body but have a major physiological and psychological impact on your wellbeing. Each day I choose from this list to make sure I put my body into parasympathetic (aka rest & digest) mode a few times a day: meditation (see #1), deep breathing, or 2 minutes of humming, singing, gargling or Ommm'ing, which tricks your body into this mode. Isn't that amazing? SO simple.
5. Joy
I ALWAYS make sure I schedule things I truly love and bring me joy on my calendar. These are the things that light you up and make you feel like YOU. Schedule them in! Live music, travel, pilates, yoga, coffee/tea dates, and meals with friends are big ways I stay well!
How about you? How do you take care of yourself during this time of year? I'd love to hear from you!