Tips on How to Focus Your Overall Health in 2022

Now that the holidays have passed, it’s time to focus on your overall health in 2022. I know that most of us fell off the wagon over the past few weeks (maybe months?) but that’s okay! Sometimes that’s what we need, before we get back to the grind. With the cold weather, all I want to do is curl up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and that would be so easy to do each night. Although, on the other hand, staying on track with our health and wellness goals is easier than you think.

Here are a few ways to focus on your health and wellness, even with the cold weather and the season of comfy clothes upon us:

Stick with your fitness schedule

I know that summer = bathing suit weather and this is why a good majority of us workout, but if you stick with your workouts this winter, it will be easier to stay in good shape for next summer. Plus, if you continue to work out, you will feel better, stronger, and you will become (or stay) healthier, overall. Even if you do not want to work out as hard as you have been, try to get at least 20-30 minutes of exercise each day to help you feel your best. This could even just be a walk around your neighborhood or taking a dance class.

Incorporate seasonal vegetables and fruits into your diet

A great way to focus on your health is through your diet. Eating in-season and local foods is a great way to make sure that you are fueling your body with good-for-you, nutritious foods. In order to preserve foods that are out of season, these produce items are often covered in pesticides, waxes, and preservatives in order to maintain their fresh appearance. Who wants to put that in their bodies? Science has shown that pesticides and preservatives are detrimental for our health. Also, the longer produce sits on the shelves, the more nutrients and antioxidants they seem to lose. According to research from the University of California, Davis, spinach and green beans lose two-thirds of their vitamin C within a week of harvest. Pair long transport times and sitting on the grocery store shelves and who knows how nutrient dense your produce really is. By choosing organic, seasonal foods, you are guaranteed to have food that was 1) grown closer to you so it doesn’t spoil during transport 2) harvested at the peak of freshness to ensure dense nutrient content and 3) sold during its season, before it spoils or is forced to undergo unnatural preservative processes. Seasonal fruits and vegetables retain more nutrients than their counterparts making them the better choice for your health.

Reduce stress

If you sit down and look at the statistics, stress is the #1 reason why so many illnesses and diseases are popping up in our present day. For example, autoimmune diseases such as Hashimotos and Psoriasis thrive off of stress. In order to prioritize your health and wellness this fall and in future seasons, it’s best to reduce the stress in your life. There are many ways to do this, but two of my favorite ways are high interest reducing your debt and decluttering your home (and life).

Help your seasonal blues

A lot of people deal with depression and seasonal blues (especially over the past 2 years), and apparently, there are four main triggers that winter weather has on the depressive state: lack of sunlight, temperature, sleep, and rain. Most of us know about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), where sufferers’ moods are tied directly to the changing of the seasons and exhibit depressive symptoms. The silver lining to this is that there are easy ways to get more Vitamin D into your system. One thing that I always recommend is to sit outside each morning, in order to get some morning sunlight. Another easy way to get Vitamin D into your system is by what you eat. Make sure you are eating foods that are high in Vitamin D and if you need to, maybe talk with your doctor about a Vitamin D supplement.

Act with intention

Although some could argue that being intentional has nothing to do with health and wellness, I disagree. I believe that being intentional each and every day directly affects how you feel and how you feel is a huge part of your health, as well as your mental (and physical state). There are many ways to be intentional and every person will be able to figure out what works best for them specifically, but no matter what works for you, definitely make it a priority to be intentional with your time each day, in order to prioritize your happiness.

You are a product of your environment

There is more and more research that shows that your environment has a lot to do with your overall health. For example, if you have mold in your home, it’s more than likely impacting your health in a very negative way. If I were you, I would 100% figure out a way to get out of that home asap and have it treated. Consider taking a long-term trip, while your home is being treated, if you’re dealing with this issue. But, what to do with your furniture? Find storage! Bluebell Relocation Services offers storage solutions, and also full-service moving if you are moving in NJ, NY, PA, or even if you are moving from New Jersey to New York. If you decide to take a long-term vacation (this in itself can bring you so much joy + help your mental well-being!), store your items with Bluebell and then have them help you move them back in when you get back, or when you get to a new home.