By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
This August celebrates National Wellness Month. This month focuses on self-care, stress management, and creating healthy routines. If you are looking for an excuse to make a change, start this month in support of National Wellness Month.
Self-care is an important part of well-being for us as well as those around us. It can take 21 days for something to become a habit and 90 days for it to be a lifestyle change. Practicing self-care, managing stress, being mindful, practicing self-compassion, and focusing on proper nutrition and exercise are all things you could work towards incorporating into your daily routine. Here are some simple self-care habits to start including into your daily routine to help improve your well-being.
Drink more water. Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Water helps give you energy, flushes toxins from your body, improves concentration, and can even help with weight loss.
Stretch or practice yoga. If you are on your feet all day, or sitting at a desk most of the day, stretching daily can help improve your posture, heal back pain, as well as ease your mind.
Try something new. Whether it be a new bike route, exploring a new restaurant, or volunteering. Doing something new can help improve your mental outlook and make you feel good overall.
Prioritize exercise. There are so many benefits to exercising including pain management, letting stress out, boosting confidence, as well as increasing strength, and so much more.
Pay attention. If something is making you feel overwhelmed or stressed, pay attention and act. Go take a walk, try a breathing technique, talk to a friend, find something to help alleviate the overwhelming feeling, and give yourself the opportunity to slow down.
Make healthy food choices. Food can impact the way you feel. Having a balanced diet and good nutrition will help nourish your body and lead to good overall health.
Take this month dedicated to wellness as your chance to begin creating and incorporating healthy routines into your daily life.
Source: Jill Haupts, Outreach Coordinator for The Kim Foundation
