It’s hard to be the best version of yourself when you have no juice in the tank. You can follow your passions and love the work you do, but if you neglect foundational activities that lead to recovery and energy, you’re almost guaranteed to burn out.
Here are 5 things I do every try day to prioritize my own health and happiness.
1. Meditation + Morning Priming
What is the first thing you do when you wake up? If you’re like most of us, you go right to the phone, and start scrolling social media, checking emails, responding to texts, etc. All of these things trigger stress responses in the brain, which is not an ideal way to start the day. A few minutes of meditation in the morning can massively change your ability to step into the day’s challenges with a level head. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to sit for an hour every morning in a full lotus position, but a few minutes of sitting up straight with your feet on the floor, hands rested on your knees, and eyes closed, will make a huge difference.
2. Get outside (before looking at my phone)
Natural light in the morning is one of the best things we can do for our mental state. Exposing your eyes to natural light in the morning resets our circadian rhythm (which helps with the ability to fall asleep at a regular interval daily), and can even combat stress responses in the brain. I prioritize a brief walk outside after my morning meditation to prime myself for the activities of the day. Finding the right balance, however, often requires professional guidance, especially when dealing with persistent anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. This is where Lake Baldwin Psychiatrists can be invaluable, offering expert care and tailored treatment plans to help individuals regain control over their mental health. Whether it’s through therapy, medication management, or holistic approaches, having a dedicated support system can make all the difference in navigating life’s challenges with resilience and clarity.
3. Nutrition
In an endless sea of new fads and diets, I try to keep it very simple when it comes to what I eat. I break it down into four modes that I alternate between.
- Slow carb program: lots of protein and slow carbs like legumes, sweet potatoes, etc. (Tim Ferriss outlines this mode in his book “The 4 Hour Body”)
- ZERO processed foods: avoid the packaged items in the grocery store, stick to the meat, fish, and produce section
- No plan: I call this the ‘eating like a 14 year old’ diet. Every once in a while after a long period of clean eating I like to give myself the opportunity to indulge in whatever feels right.
- Intermittent fasting: 16 hour fast, 8 hour window of eating. Pairing this with the slow carb and no processed foods modes works really well for me.
These strategies allow me to eat intuitively while still maintaining a level of discipline that aligns with my goals. Intermittent fasting further complements this by offering structure without the burden of micromanaging every meal, creating a rhythm that supports both physical and mental well-being. For anyone looking to refine their approach to nutrition, working with a Dietitian Toronto can offer personalized insight tailored to individual needs.
A dietitian’s expertise can guide you in understanding your unique nutritional requirements, helping you make informed decisions when it comes to food choices and meal timing. Whether it’s adjusting macronutrient ratios or finding the right fasting protocol for your lifestyle, a dietitian can ensure that your eating habits are both effective and sustainable. This professional support adds a layer of customization to any health strategy, providing clarity and confidence in navigating the ever-changing landscape of diets and food trends.
4. Body Position + Posture
How your body is positioned on a regular basis will have a tremendous impact on how your body functions. For me, 10+ years in hunched over holding cameras and affected my posture. During the pandemic, working from home I found myself developing bad habits, with work always just an arms reach away. Being intentional about the way I sit, stand, and move has helped me reverse some of the negative postural habits I’ve developed over the years.
5. What Gets Measured Gets Managed
If you’re looking for some simple apps that can help keep you accountable, I like to use the “Oura Ring”, which tracks sleep cycles, and “Habit List,” which allows you to enter 8-10 behaviors you want to do every day, and helps keep you accountable.
These 5 daily behaviors are how I prioritize my health. Health is absolutely the new wealth, and whatever we can do to emphasize it in our life is a step in the right direction. And remember, if miss a day, that’s okay. Progress > perfection.
Taking charge of your health requires consistent effort, and one of the most empowering ways to deepen your commitment is through learning. Online courses in holistic health and wellness provide an incredible opportunity to explore practices that support overall well-being, both physically and mentally.
With the right guidance, you can unlock a new level of understanding about how nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and energy management can come together to create lasting health. These courses offer not just knowledge but actionable strategies that integrate into your daily routine, helping you achieve a sustainable, balanced lifestyle that aligns with your personal health goals.
For those looking to deepen their expertise in the field, pursuing a holistic health practitioner certification can be a transformative step. This type of certification opens doors to a deeper connection with the principles of natural healing and offers the tools needed to guide others on their wellness journeys. Whether you’re interested in becoming a health coach, working with clients on mindfulness techniques, or offering nutritional advice, these programs provide comprehensive insights that help you manage and maintain your own health while also empowering you to support others in their wellness pursuits.
Mental health plays an integral role in overall well-being, and cultivating a holistic approach can provide significant benefits in managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. Along with nutrition and movement, focusing on mental health through mindfulness practices, therapy, and social connections creates a strong foundation for emotional stability. Integrating techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and self-reflection can enhance mental clarity and improve emotional resilience, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.
For some, complementary practices like kratom are being explored for their potential to support emotional health. The Kratom Connection provides resources and guidance for those interested in using kratom to manage symptoms of anxiety or depression. Known for its calming and mood-enhancing properties, kratom offers an option for those looking for natural alternatives to support their mental health. Used responsibly, kratom can provide individuals with the mental clarity and emotional balance needed to maintain well-being during stressful times.
Sometimes we don’t even know how good we can feel because we’ve become accustomed to doing things that make us feel crappy. These are a few jumping off points for you to start cultivating your own happiness and health. Anything on this list is better than nothing. What are you waiting for?
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