Feeling healthy and happy is determined by much more than what’s on your plate. Every facet of your life contributes to your physical, emotional, and mental health. Toxic relationships or a stressful job can be just as harmful to your health as pesticides on your produce.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Staying physically active is so important for your body to function properly. Regular exercise (even just walking every day) is key to maintain your strength, flexibility, and endurance for daily activities. Even better, exercise increases the “feel-good hormone” dopamine. Physical activity is also critical to prevent osteoporosis, a common condition that affects women.
We’ve all heard “you are what you eat”—and for good reason! What we consume is literally fuel that all the cells in our body need to function. If you eat and drink quality ingredients, your cells get the nutrients and vitamins that they need to work properly. Drinking plenty of water, and know that eating organic whole foods and reducing fried and processed foods is critical to feeling your best.
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Self-care is a must to maintain emotional well-being. It’s all too common for women to put others first—whether family, friends, or children. Do something just for YOU every day—it can be as simple as taking 15 minutes to read a book, go outside for some fresh air, or treat yourself to a manicure. When I’m feeling discouraged or down, I call or text a friend—and right away my mood lifts. Anything that recharges your batteries will work wonders in how you feel, which in turn improves how you care for others.
Do you have a demanding boss? Maybe an over-bearing relative or a friend who always complains? Look at your relationships with friends, family, and colleagues. If negativity is a common theme with some folks you know, it may be a good idea to set some boundaries on the time you spend with them. If this isn’t possible, try ways to remain positive by focusing on something you CAN control; look for things that you admire in that person, however minor they may seem.
MENTAL HEALTH
Stress is the root of all disease. It weakens the immune system, interferes with sleep, and increases your chance of heart disease, dementia, diabetes, depression, asthma, and many more health problems. Finding ways to regularly manage stress is essential: exercise, getting involved in activities you enjoy, or just spending time outdoors can help drastically improve your mental health. There are so many things in life that are out of our control; looking inward through meditation or prayer helps ground you and connect to something beyond ourselves. I love yoga, and often refer to it as my church, gym, and therapy session. Finding something that YOU love that helps you feel more positive will go a long way toward managing external stressors.
Kristen Todoroff is a Holistic Health Coach. She helps professional women eliminate hot flashes and regain control of their bodies so they feel sexy, empowered, and alive stepping into the next phase of womanhood. Learn more at BeWell360.com.
