After seeing hundreds of patients over many years, I can tell you with confidence that 80% of staying healthy comes down to creating and maintaining simple habits. It’s not about some rigid, in-depth diet or a 2 hour a day workout routine. You don’t have to become a yoga master and you don’t have to avoid every looking at a bag of chips again. But you do need to commit to a few basic, healthy behaviors that foster your own well-being.
To make things easy for you, I’ve listed my top 3 habits here. They may seem simple but their impact can be profound.
Habit #1) Meditation
Science proves meditating restructures your brain and trains it to concentrate, feel greater compassion, cope with stress, and more.
One of the most powerful ways to rid your mind of negative thoughts is to practice mindfulness meditation. It is said that people who meditate on a daily basis are less anxious and more relaxed than those who don’t. Researchers have discovered that meditating regularly boosts the growth of myelin, a protective brain tissue that can enhance your mood.
Seeing yourself in a positive light also increases your self-confidence.
Habit #2) Control Your Media Intake
We all want to stay informed and know what’s going on in the world – that’s no secret. But we also need to moderate our news consumption and be smart about what we let into our minds.
It’s important that you keep your distance from purposely bad or negative news. Today, the media has become far too good at exaggerating and making up stories for publicity. There is no point in worrying too much about things that we have zero control over!
So, do your best to stay away from watching, reading or hearing negative stories. This isn’t to say that you should put your head in the sand and avoid reality. We just need to make wise choices about what you let in. Remember, news outlets make money by getting you to click on their stories and watch their videos. The more emotional and shocking their stories are, the more likely people are to engage with them. And, while there are incredible journalists who have integrity and focus on reporting stories honestly, it seems these days that there are many more just stirring people up.
Keep those doors to negativity closed.
Habit #3) Exercise
You knew this one was coming. Exercise.
We don’t have to work out for hours every night and run marathons on the weekend, but it is absolutely essential that you find ways to keep your body active – especially if you have a sedentary job.
Working out is not just for the body but also for the mind. When you work out, your body boosts the production of a many feel good hormones – including serotonin and dopamine, both of which are linked to controlling stress and relaxing the mind. Try and aim for 30 minutes daily. Even if you don’t have access to a gym, just get out there and walk!
Conclusion
You don’t have to be a superhero. You just have to put in place some basic habits that support you in staying healthy. By learning to relax, meditating daily, exercising consistently and keeping your mind free from media pollution, you are creating an incredible foundation for better health.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about how we help people achieve greater health and wellness, please reach out anytime. We’re available via Facebook message and the Contact Page of our website or you can look up your closest Evolve Chiropractic location and call us direct.
-Written by Dr. Alyssa Holum, one of our Chiropractors in Huntley IL.
