Wellness is defined as the quality or state of being healthy in both mind and body.
How do we do this? Simple: you start today. Literally right now. You’ve come so far as to start reading this article, and I applaud you for that! But it’s time to implement this knowledge.
Here are 12 choices all women should make for their health by the time they’re 30.
1. Travel
Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. Travel changes your perspective, you have new experiences, and, most importantly, cute accents are amazing! You will get to see things you’d never have the chance to otherwise. Not only will you learn so much about yourself, but studies show that well-traveled people are more open-minded and less stressed.
2. Vary your workouts
Call me crazy, but you can teach an old dog new tricks. It is true that the older you get the harder it is to maintain your weight, but that shouldn’t be a crutch. If you’ve walked the same 2 mile route at the same speed for years chances are high it’s not doing you any good. Try different classes, throw a few 1/4 mile jogs into that walking route, get into yoga; literally do anything to keep your body guessing and results will follow.
3. Read your labels
Aspartame, BPA, phthalates: found in “diet “food and drinks, Tupperware/cookware, cleaning supplies and fragrances. And that’s just 3 of them. Harmful chemicals are hidden in a scary amount of things we expose ourselves to. Try to buy products that boast about being natural and organic, because your organs can actually process these ingredients. While they do tend to be more expensive, not filling your body with toxins will pay off in the long run.
4. Take alone time
Mental health is so overlooked, and I can’t quite seem to figure out why! Unfortunately most view seeing a psychiatrist as a negative thing, as something only crazy people do. While they aren’t for everyone, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s something so rewarding about walking into an unbiased setting where you spill your guts to someone who literally does not care. Literally, they get paid to act like they do, give you good and anonymous advice, and go about their merry way. So try it, you won’t regret it.
5. Go 12 hours without eating
Don’t deny it, your heart just skipped a beat. Never fear, I’m talking about when you sleep. If your last nighttime snack is at 8pm, try to hold off putting food in your mouth until 8am the next day. Digesting is a heck of a workout for your insides, and doctors recommend a 12 hour rest. If you have hunger pains, eat. But learn to differentiate between hunger and thirst, bringing me to the next point.
6. Drink more water
I can almost guarantee you aren’t consuming enough H2O. Everyone I tell the “water rule “to gives me the same dumbfounded reaction. Take your weight in pounds, divide it by 2, and convert that number to ounces. There you have the minimum amount of water you should consume on a daily basis. We are made up of 65% water, which doesn’t magically appear, so drink it.
7. Sleep more
While everyone requires a different amount of sleep in order to feel their best, it is recommended to aim for 7-8 hours of shut-eye every night. Just as digesting is a workout for your body, so is living. Give yourself a break and hit the pillow for 1/3 of your day, every day. No sleep is the leading cause of wrinkles, bad eating habits, and sour moods. Get your Zzzz’s!
8. Connect less
From technology. On average, Americans spend 4-7 hours a day on a variety of devices: cell phone, tv, computer- you name it and I bet your eyes have been glued to it. While a lot of job duties do require a wifi connection and a computer screen, make it an effort to be technology free for a certain amount of time per day. Doing so can better your sleep, actually decrease your stress, and leave free time for more physical activity.
9. Learn how to cook
Making your own food is the best option to stay on a healthy track. For one, you’ll actually know every ingredient you put in your body. For a second reason, there is a certain satisfaction in consuming a hot meal you just slaved over the stove for. Broadening your chef skills is a hobby that follows you for life. And just think of the people you can get on board with your new and improved nutritious meal making! Spread the wellness.
10. Have more sex
Need I say more? You don’t need an article to tell you to frequent the big O, but increasing bedroom time is a great health benefit. Decrease stress, reduce the number and severity of headaches, boost your immune system, and even look younger!
11. Stop taking vitamins
This doesn’t apply to everyone, as physicians might prescribe them if they’re recommended to you. But take choice #9 from above and put it to good use. Most people don’t realize how it is possible to get the vitamins and minerals you need solely from the food you eat. So save your money on synthetic nutrient stuffed pills and get your nutrition from the fresh foods you’ll be cooking.
12. Get outside
Step into the sunlight and soak up that vitamin D as much as you can. You’ll be more likely to be active if you make it a point to be outdoors for a certain amount of time every day. Ladies who spend more time outside tend to be happier and healthier people.
The sooner you establish a groundwork for a healthy lifestyle, the more likely it will be that you’ll carry these choices into the future. So go get it!
