Friday, February 10, 2017

The Essential Guide to Achieving Health and Happiness

The months following January can often feel like a bit of a chore. Those hastily made resolutions are possibly being broken, and we tend to beat ourselves up about it. Setting unrealistic goals, or striving for things that ultimately won’t make us happy is not the way forward. Denmark, which is regularly voted among the happiest countries in the world, brought us hygge. The concept has become a trend among those of us looking to live a healthier happier life. Hygge isn’t the only trend that’s grabbed the world’s attention, yoga is more popular than it’s ever been. Yoga poses as a form of meditation and to get fit, are just part of the appeal. It’s clear that our well-being has never been more important to us. So how do you implement some hygge magic into your life (and a sun salutation or two)?


Get Moving


Avoid calling it exercise, it may seem like a small detail but the language really does matter! Exercise conjures up images of long sweaty runs and can send us into a panic. Start off every day with a stretch. It’s as simple as that. Daily stretching has numerous benefits which include increased flexibility and providing stress release. It can take as little as ten minutes, and will help you to feel physically, and mentally, limber! Once you've developed a good routine of stretching daily, introduce some yoga poses. This isn’t as scary as it sounds! There are plenty of poses for beginners which can be done at home on a yoga mat. Yoga is also great for managing stress, and regular practice can bring mental clarity, calmness, and sharpens our attention.


Environment


Your home environment is so important for your mental health and well-being. For many of us it can be viewed merely as a place of functionality. There’s the breakfast area, collection of toys, perhaps a messy dog or two… But it’s becoming more and more important to claim your own little piece of sanctuary at home. This could be the living room or bedroom, it really is down to you. The Danes believe that having a space furnished with natural materials helps you to create the ideal area for relaxation. So get a flower delivery and pile up some logs in the corner, dim the lights, and take some quiet time for yourself!

Physical Health

You cannot ignore your physical health on this journey. It is important to eat right, exercise, drink enough water, and get plenty of sleep. If your body is not getting what it needs, then it won’t matter what else you are doing - you will feel miserable. 

You should also go to your doctor regularly to have check-ups. Check-ups can help you get a good view of your health and improvements that need to be made. It can also catch issues before they become big problems. It may also open up your eyes to vitamins or supplements, like ProstaGenix that may benefit your health. 


Socializing


This is a fun and easy way to increase your general well-being. Again, this reduces our stress levels and can even stave off depression. Having regular interactions with our friends give us the chance to offload our worries and be praised for our achievements. It’s great for our self-esteem and happiness, and helps us to connect with others. It’s a good way of putting our problems in perspective, not to mention it increases our social skills. If you work from home, or don’t work, it’s important to meet new people and make the time to socialize. It can feel isolating when you’re in your own world all day. Push yourself to meet up with friends or even have a chat with the cashier when you get your shopping!

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.