Though New Year’s might come with a slew of resolutions, all too often the dark and dreary months that follow don’t do their part in keeping you inspired. That is why the best time to make changes to your health and wellbeing isn’t on January 1st, but in the spring, when everything seems new, the sun comes out longer, and the temperatures warm up. We are all naturally so much happier, and we can use this mood to galvanize our resolutions in ways we simply couldn’t in January. Exercise, for one, is much more obtainable a goal when you want to actually get outside and walk, bike, run, or hike.
This spring is your time to shine, so don’t forget to follow this guide once the temperatures start to warm up:
How to Know You Need to Change
You know you need to make a change in your life as soon as you aren’t doing all you can. If you don’t exercise regularly, eat well, and feel great there are areas for improvement. Some key indicators that you absolutely need to make a drastic change today, however, include:
- You Lead a Mostly Sedentary Lifestyle
- Your Diet is Not Sustainable
- You Are Not Happy With Your Weight
- Your Aren’t Happy With Your Mood
- You Aren’t Happy With Your Life
It isn’t easy to turn your life around, but for the sake of your health and happiness you must try.
Creating Goals
Once you know you need to change you need to set goals for yourself. Without clear goals you cannot work hard towards an end result. Working aimlessly to “be healthier” can be discouraging, because you don’t have anything to measure your success with. That is why SMART goals are so important.
The Importance of SMART Goals
SMART Goals explained in a few words is simple: that your goals are clearly defined, can be measured, are achievable, are relevant to your lifestyle, and have deadlines. Only then can you work hard to achieve goals and feel the rush of excitement at actually achieving them. Once you complete a goal, simply make new ones, but always make sure they are easily achievable in a short period of time. This way you can keep yourself on track to healthy living.
Holding Yourself Accountable
If you need to, enlist in a few friends to go on this journey with you. If you live with a partner do this together, because unless your partner is already a health nut you can both benefit from turning your life around for the healthier.
Never Give Up
There will be bad days. There will be days where you throw your goals to the wind and order in takeout, or a day you skip your workout. That’s fine, but what isn’t fine is to use this relapse as an excuse to give up. Instead get right back in there and start over again, because your health and quality of life deserve it.
Improving Your Physical Health
There are two steps to being healthy; one is to improve the habits that will support your body. The other your mind. To improve your body’s health you will want to:
Audit Your Pantry
If you have unhealthy food at hand you will be tempted by it, so clear it out and give it away. Ready-meals, saturated fats, and even heavily processed foods have to go. Instead, replace them with healthier alternatives. This way you can force yourself to eat healthier from the start.
Improve Your Food Buying Habits
Try to always eat before going out to grocery shop. This way you stop yourself from impulse buying and can instead make smart decisions about your meals and diet.
Skip the Take Out
Over the weekend put some time aside to make a massive batch of healthy meals so that you can eat it throughout the week during lunch, or, if you have a penchant for takeout, instead of ordering in. Eating out is usually very unhealthy, and can cost a lot. Skip it for your health and budget.
Find A Fun Exercise Activity
To get more exercise in your day to day life find fun things to do. If you have a great time every time you work out it won’t feel like a chore. Instead, it will be something you look forward to day after day.
Drink More Water
Always aim to drink plenty of water. You will also want to replace water with unhealthy drinks that are full of sugars to improve your appearance and health.
Improving Your Wellbeing
Improving your wellbeing won’t be as straightforward as caring for your health. Everyone is different, after all, and it will take some time to figure out what habits make you happy and which are toxic, because no, they are not always obvious. You might love going out during the weekends with your friends, but if you feel empty inside and lonely the day afterwards there is something seriously wrong. Try out different strategies to figure out what is wrong and to help build up the fulfillment you feel in your life. Take classes in things you’ve always been interested in. Try to slow down and focus on the parts of your life you care most about. It is impossible to be happy every moment of your life, but you can feel content, and that is a great state to be in.
Caring for your health and wellbeing is the only way to safeguard your future and improve your quality of life all at the same time. It won’t be easy. Bad habits are hard to break no matter what time of the year you try, but spring has something special about it in helping you stay on track with your goals. Have your friends join you on your journey and you can all look better, feel better, and build up the health you need to stay that way for years to come. Just try not to relapse into your unhealthy ways once fall is over!
