5 Things You Can Do Right This Second for a Healthier Spring & Summer
There is no better time to revamp your wellness routine than at the start of a new season. As the warmer weather comes rolling in, make a conscious effort to upgrade your wellness routine to benefit you this spring and summer.
A wellness routine looks different for each individual person, but there are two main components it should cover for maximum effectiveness: health and happiness. You shouldn’t have to compromise your happiness to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Consider adding these tips into your current or new wellness routine for a healthy balance this spring!
Find An Exercise That Motivates You
I know what you’re thinking, “Another suggestion to exercise more!?”—we get it. But before you write this tip off, think about a healthy exercise that actually motivates you. Instead of heading to the gym for a mundane fitness routine, get your exercise in by doing something you enjoy as it will keep you feeling more motivated, on track, and happier.
When deciding what kind of exercise you want to try this spring, think about the environment in which you feel most excited to move your body.
If you are motivated by a class of people working out by your side... consider an activity like a kickboxing class. Kickboxing is an adrenaline-pumping style of fitness that provides great cardio and helps build endurance, coordination, tones muscles, and core while burning a lot of calories. Kickboxing classes also help with balance, flexibility, agility, and can even promote better self-defense. Classes like these are great motivators because there's so much activity going on you almost forget you’re working out!
If you’re not a gym or fitness studio kind of person... you might consider investing in a Peloton Bike instead of joining a class! Peloton is a cycling service that uses online instructors and an app to motivate you to work out at home. The service has millions of members that use the platform to connect, bond, inspire, and grow stronger together.
Whichever fitness plan you choose, make sure it’s specific to you and your fitness goals but also gets you excited to move!
Schedule An Eye Exam
Seriously, when’s the last time you got your eyes checked? Most people stay up-to-date with their dental cleanings or recurring physical exams that are scheduled ahead of time, however, annual eye exams are often put on the back burner, especially for those with 20/20 vision.
Today, with the increased use of digital screens for work, school, and social activities, our eyes have become more vulnerable than ever. This can put those with eye problems even more at risk for developing worsening eye conditions and those without eye problems at risk of developing them in general. Remember, vision impairments also increase as we get older, which is why it’s important to get annual eye exams to make sure you haven’t developed any refractive errors due to screen use or other factors like genetics.
For those with known eye conditions, make an appointment to ensure your eyeglasses are up-to-date. Incorrect prescription lenses can cause eye strain and headaches, which can interfere with your day-to-day activities. Although wearing the wrong prescription can’t damage the eyes permanently, updating it can certainly provide you with a better quality of life. Plus you can always accompany new prescription eyeglasses with a new pair of frames to start spring off with a new look—after all when you look good, you feel good.
For those of you without any known eye conditions, you should still get an annual exam to make sure you haven’t developed any overtime. The sooner an eye doctor catches an eye condition, the sooner they can treat it and the better of you’ll be!
Catch Some Zzz’s
A good night’s sleep is very important to your overall health, but there are many factors that contribute to disrupted sleep patterns. According to the sleep foundation, adults between 18 and 64 need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and adults over 65 need 7-8 hours.
In order to better your sleep patterns consider adjusting your sleep setup. You should have clean sheets on a comfortable bed, blinds or curtains on your windows to block out light, and temperature control or a fan to keep you cool. Simply upgrading a few of your surroundings while you sleep can help you sleep more soundly and for longer periods of time.
You might also consider changing some of your lifestyle choices that may be affecting your sleep patterns. For example, inconsistent sleep schedules make it more difficult to have consistent sleep patterns; try to stick to a regular sleep schedule throughout the week. Overstimulation from digital devices right before bed can also affect sleep patterns as digital light stimulates the brain making it more active and disrupting melatonin levels.
Figure out a healthy (and sustainable!) bedtime routine that helps you sleep better and watch how your quality of life improves.
Make a Dentist Appointment
Another important but sometimes overlooked component of wellness are dentist appointments. Most patients schedule their regular dental cleanings six months out, but we get that busy schedules and COVID-19 may derail your regular appointments.
But y’all, you gotta make sure you stay consistent with your dental appointments! Regular cleanings help prevent cavities and other oral concerns from developing. Everyday activities can affect your oral health (such as smoking, drinking alcohol, eating sugar, and brushing your teeth). Dental hygienists can look for a variety of things while you are simply getting a cleaning, like:
Cavities
Oral cancers
Gum disease
Enamel decay
Practicing prevention is always better than getting treatment after a problem has been identified, so make sure you are regularly visiting your dental care provider for regular check-ups to make sure your oral health is taken care of.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Hydration has always been key, but people have become more conscious about it lately! It’s all too easy to forget to drink the appropriate amount of water during the day. However, after you are reminded of its benefits, you may be more inclined to drink more of it.
Proper hydration can:
Maximize your physical performance
Increase energy levels and brain functions
Prevent headaches and hangovers
Help you lose or maintain weight
Even mild dehydration can affect you mentally and physically, so just imagine how severe dehydration can affect you. Avoid the side effects of dehydration and reap the rewards of proper hydration by using a gallon water bottle, which will help you stay hydrated all day long with timely reminders written right where you can see them.
It’s easy to lose track of your wellness routine over time, which is why revamping it every so often to meet your specific needs is necessary. By adding these simple wellness tips into your spring routine, you’ll be taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle, without sacrificing your overall happiness.