We live during a time where, as is, there aren't enough hours in the day it seems. Because of this, we try to prioritize, right? Here's the thing though, friend, so many of us have our priorities all twisted up. The work we so badly need to finish, the event you have to attend, the coffee date you can't reschedule- I'm not saying that stuff doesn't matter- but at what cost? We need to get into a habit our scheduling our lives around our personal wellness, not the other way around. Ask yourself these questions: if I'm ill, exhausted, undernourished, obese, stressed out (the list goes on), am I able to perform at my best self? NO. No, sis you're not. I know because I thought I could & I was wrong. Your body is is a gift, if you're a person of faith you know it's a gift from the Lord that we were given to borrow. We need to care for it, treat it well, LOVE IT. Easier said than done, I know. But let's start with small steps & go from there, okay?
1.) Nourish Your Body: I'm not saying you have to become a plant- based vegan (although...haha), but hydration, fruits and leafy greens go a long way in ones health. One of the biggest problems I see from people when trying to clean up their nutrition is the "all-or-nothing" approach. they restrict themselves from anything & everything. Instead of cutting everything out, try adding somethings in. First, WATER. Skin, mental clarity, gut health, fatigue- all of these are effected by hydration. Try starting your day with a big glass of water (I like to add some lemon & black strap molasses to mine), & then grab a cute metal water bottle & finish at least 2 of those before bed! Second thing, add in one popcorn sized bowl of green to one of your meals. Eat this first or with your meal, but you'll be surprised how much fuller you feel quicker when you start a meal like this. More space being taken up by the good stuff, less room for the bad stuff you're craving ;)
2.) Move Your Body: I can feel your eye rolls as I'm typing this. You're working 2 jobs, have babies to care for, you're starting a new job, you're just chronically busy. I get it, but this is a non-negotiable. 20-30 minutes of movement has to become like brushing your teeth. Do you always want too? Eh, but it's just something you have to do. If you're new to exercise, don't go join a half-marathon next week- start small. Find a good podcast or audio book & take a 20 minute walk today. Want something more but need help figuring out what to do? YouTube. So many great free workouts, programs, etc. for all levels. Here are a few of my favorite channels to follow:
Yoga With Adrienne (great beginner yoga)
Heather Robertson Workouts
(& not on YouTube) but Nike Training App is awesome & has so many great free workouts.
3.) Sleep: Again with the eye rolls, because I'm rolling them at myself right now as I type this. I wish sleep wasn't a necessary thing, I really do lol. I stress about sleeping & thinking about how much I could get done during those hours (when the other 2 humans are sleeping!) but just in the last few months, I've seen how much of a drastic change it makes when I get enough vs when I don't. Everyone is different here. Some people need 9 hours consistently, others like myself need a solid 6, maybe 7 for a solid day of productivity. Whatever you feel best at, make that consistent. It has to become a priority for you or else your health won't keep up with your life, I promise. If winding down for the night it a struggle for you, here are a few natural solutions/supplements that could really benefit you:
Essential Oils: if you haven't dipped your toe into the world of therapeutic grade essential oils, get ready for an awakening (or maybe the opposite? haha). The power in these little bottles of plant juice, when using the right kinds, can change your world by supporting your system at a cellular level. Ready to get started? You can click HERE.
SleepEssence: this supplement contains four powerful Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ essential oils that have unique sleep-enhancing properties in a softgel vegetarian capsule for easy ingestion. Combining lavender, vetiver, valerian, and Ruta graveolens essential oils with the hormone melatonin—a well-known sleep aid—SleepEssence is a natural way to enable a full night’s rest. You can order HERE.
CALM Magnesium Powder: Helps boost healthy magnesium levels and supports a calming and unique relaxing experience, nature's stress remedy gives your body the fundamental nutrients, supplement Powder promotes healthy magnesium levels to support stress.