10 Daily Habits to Help Safeguard Your Health
Nurture your body-mind connection.
Your health is much more than your weight or the number of calories you consume. The journey of improving your overall health includes tending to your body-mind connection as well.
Here are 10 daily habits you can start doing to reach a healthier state of body and mind.
Protect Your Mental Well-being
Mental health is an integral factor in how you feel overall. Stress in life and personal struggles with anxiety or depression not only make you feel bad mentally, but they can also take a toll on your physical health. Similarly, protecting your mental health and shaking off stress will also help you achieve your physical health goals.
1. Practice bite-size meditation sessions.
Meditation is a powerful tool against stress, negative thoughts, and anxiety. For combating daily stress, bite-sized (five minute or less) meditation sessions can be just as effective as a 30-minute session. Throughout your day, take a moment to pause, close your eyes, slow your breathing, and clear your mind.
2. Embrace your inner child’s desires.
Does coloring make you feel happy? What about building a Lego set or putting together a puzzle? Indulge in these little joys and use them as part of your daily self-care. Indulging your inner child is fun, relaxing, and can give you that warm feeling of nostalgia.
3. Write out negativity and toss it.
Sometimes a negative thought, a moment of stress, or a mistake you’ve made can really linger in your mind, poisoning your otherwise good day. Whenever one of these thoughts plays on repeat in your head, grab a Post-it or a piece of paper and write it down. Go into as much or as little detail as you want. Read it and embrace that it happened but that it’s time to let it go. Crumple up that Post-it and toss it in the trash!
Connect with Family and Friends
Did you know that social relationships have a significant impact on mental and physical health? Even the most diehard introvert has an instinctual need for community and spending time with others, even if they may appreciate shorter blocks of time than extroverts.
4. Seek out face-to-face interactions.
Instant messaging is a lifesaver, and in many ways, it has made communication superior to what it once was. Unfortunately, the ease of texting has made face-to-face interactions less common. Whether it’s stopping by to say hi to a friend in person or opting to video chat with a loved one rather than text or call, try to get in some face-to-face interactions every day.
5. Check in with someone you care about.
Reaching out to others is really rewarding. Think about someone you haven’t heard from in a while and take the first step by sending them a message or giving them a call. It might sound simple, but it’s a wonderful way of maintaining your sense of community and embracing important relationships.
6. Say hi or do something kind for a stranger.
We’re often so caught up in our own world or looking at our phones that we often ignore those around us. Next time you’re at a store, look around and smile. Genuinely ask a cashier how they’re doing that day. Hold open a door for someone. These little things have such a positive impact on yourself as well as those around you.
Care for Entire Physical Body
We can’t talk about healthy daily habits without also discussing physical health. While your body and mind are one and the same, your physical body is the foundation of it all. Caring for your physical self goes beyond hitting the gym; it includes how you fuel your body, take care of your oral health, and what you expose yourself to.
7. Find a way to move your body.
Not everyone can or wants to exercise every day, but there are benefits to moving your body on a daily basis. You can take a walk around the block, do some stretches while watching a show, play fetch with your dog, or bust out a dance session while cooking dinner. Get creative and try to get your heart pumping a couple of times during the day.
8. Take a multivitamin.
Taking a daily multivitamin sounds basic, but it’s something that many people don’t often do. A high-quality multivitamin designed for your gender, age group, and health needs (i.e., prenatal, growing hair, etc.) ensures you’re getting the vitamins and minerals you need, regardless of how your diet might be. And remember, even if you eat a varied diet with plenty of healthy foods, you could still be deficient in some areas.
9. Floss and brush your teeth.
Don’t forget about your oral health! Start every morning by brushing your teeth after breakfast and end each evening by flossing, then brushing after your last meal of the day. Brush for two minutes every time, and be conscious of thoroughly brushing each quarter of your mouth for 30 seconds. When you floss, watch in the mirror to ensure you’re cleaning between each tooth.
10. Get fresh air and some sun.
Last but not least, get some fresh air and sun every day, even when it’s chilly or cloudy. Fresh air and 10 minutes of sunlight not only increase serotonin levels and make you feel great, but they also protect your overall health and increase your vitamin D levels. During our long winter months, supplementing with extra vitamin D can be really helpful. Ask your doctor for more information on this.
When was your last refreshing dental cleaning?
The Valley Dental Clinic team members are firm believers that dental care can absolutely be a form of self-care! If it’s been close to or over six months since your last cleaning, we invite you to come on in for a checkup. Our gentle approach to dental care means your cleaning can be a relaxing, refreshing experience. You can schedule your appointment today by calling our Wasilla, AK, office or using this online form.