Back to Blog Posts
It’s time to embrace the new year, and what better way than to pick up some new healthy habits? You have probably heard the saying “you are what you eat,” and the reality is that everything you consume does affect you. You are whatever you eat, read, watch, hear, and breathe in. Everything that you expose yourself to becomes a piece of who you are. Think of yourself as a sponge, soaking in all of your experiences and interactions with other people. Will you choose to soak in water, coffee, or tea? Though some people may oppose the idea of starting over in the new year, there is nothing wrong with wanting to turn over a new leaf. Here are some ideas to help get your 2021 off to a great start.
Read More Books
Research using MRI scan suggests that reading changes your brain. When you read, circuits and signals get sent to your brain which cause it to mature, becoming stronger and more sophisticated. Reading books with high suspense will build up your brain activity and strengthen your mind. Increasing the number of books you read may activate your primary sensory area, which will improve your responses to movement and pain. Reading fiction can help you develop empathy for others: by reading about the lives of characters in a story, you learn to better understand the thoughts and feelings of others. Making a habit of consistent reading may help you develop the skills needed to build and maintain social relationships.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
It can be easy to be overwhelmed by the countless fad diets that seem to pop up every January as people rush to lose weight before it gets warm again. You don’t have to get wrapped up in extreme dietary changes to improve your body; taking on even minor adjustments can make a significant impact on your physical health. Not everyone needs to go to the gym five times a week or practically starve themselves to lose weight. When it comes to your physical health, moderation is the golden rule, both in diet and in exercise.
If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, it’s always a good idea to consume more fruits and vegetables rather than practicing Keto or Atkins diets. Spinach, carrots, broccoli, garlic, brussel sprouts, and kale are great places to begin when ramping up your vegetable consumption. As far as fruits go, grapefruit, pineapple, avocado, blueberries, apples, and strawberries are all healthy options. Getting the right nutrients can be tricky if you are constantly on the go, or if you just aren’t used to eating often enough. Luckily, we live in the age of blenders! It doesn’t take a culinary degree to throw everything you need into a blender in the morning. Of course, these aren’t comprehensive diet plans; these are simply starting points for forming healthier nutrition habits. Consult with your nutritionist, health expert, or doctor for more information.
Practice More Self-Care
When making new years’ resolutions, many people prioritize their desire to work harder and get better results in the coming twelve months. While there’s nothing wrong with seeking a new profession or vying for a promotion, it’s imperative to practice self-care regardless of the state of your career. Practicing self-care builds a core of comfort, confidence, and security in your own identity, which will serve as the foundation for any success that you find in life. No matter who you are, or how old you are, taking care of your mind is just as important as your physical wellbeing. In fact, the two go hand in hand: yoga, meditation, spa visits, and treating yourself to things which make you happy are all great ways to begin.
An especially important form of self-care is prioritizing your alone time. Spending time with your thoughts is a powerful way to clear your mind, organize your thoughts, and prepare you for other human interaction. Time alone leaves room for reflection before and after you go to work or attend events, allowing you to reset your mind and engage with the world with a heightened degree of self-awareness.
Cultivating your self-awareness will allow you to be more in tune with yourself, and the more in tune you are, the less likely you are to be influenced by the external sources of negativity which might surround you. It may be easier than you think: reading, eating healthy, and giving your mind time to reset are all effective forms of self-care. Every person is capable of practicing self-care, and productive self-care will look different for each individual. There’s no pressure of comparison or judgment from anyone else, and one way isn’t better than any other - it’s all about whatever works best for you and you alone.
This new year is a chance at a fresh start. No matter what your goals are, your success rests upon building a strong foundation. Your daily habits are what form that foundation. Reading, eating healthy, and practicing self-care are all steps that will lead towards achieving your goals. Consistent reading is a habit that will help with your social and emotional learning skills, which make a big difference when interacting with friends or in the workplace. Adopting and maintaining a healthy diet in the new year will give you the energy you need to sustain a productive work-life balance. Between the gym, family, friends, and work, you will need all the energy you can get, and the right diet is a perfect place to start. Make sure you don’t skimp on your personal wellbeing - when it comes to your physical and mental health, you should be taking time out to care for yourself. Contact START UP RECOVERY to get help today at 310-773-3809.