Balanced Living

4 Uncomplicated Ways to Be Healthier Right Now

Posted by Arja on February 1 in Holistic Health, Nutrition

Each day is a new opportunity to make healthy choices.  While not every one will be the healthiest, true health isn’t about perfection.  There is so much information available right now – books, the internet, tv shows, documentaries – with so many experts telling you what to do to live your best life ever.  The trouble is, it’s information overload, and when one person tells you to do one thing, and then another tells you to never do that same thing, it gets so confusing.  How do you filter through it all and find the truth?

Truth:  Everyone is on their own journey, and while some may be farther along than others, you should also recognize that your paths will likely look very different, and that’s ok.  

This is why there isn’t a single approach to health and wellness that works for everyone, and is also the reason why so many people can make a living talking about it!  We are all different, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that what works for one person might not work for another.  Some people thrive on a vegan diet, while others end up feeling so unwell that they feel they need to go back to eating a little animal protein of some kind.  Paleo, vegetarian, vegan, crossfit, pilates, yoga, running marathons…  Where do you start?  What if you hate it?

You just have to start somewhere, and begin experimenting until you find what fits.  Most change is difficult at first, but if it makes you miserable, or leaves you feeling unwell (mentally or physically) then that might be a sign that you need to try something new.  

But what about the basics?  The nuts and bolts of being healthy?  They’re surprisingly simple, and something that everyone can do.

Be happy.  Laugh.  Do things that bring you joy.  Spend time with friends and family. Seek out support if your mental health is faltering because there is no shame in saying you need help to find your “happy” again.

Eat real food.  No legitimate and long-term wellness path involves “fake” food.  Get to know your kitchen intimately and prepare your own food using real, whole food ingredients.  If that isn’t realistic for you and your lifestyle, seek out a meal prep/delivery service that makes their meals in this way.  All paths to increased wellness will benefit from improved nutrition.  I spoke more about this here.

Move your body.  You don’t need a gym membership to exercise.  You also don’t need to spend a ton of money on fancy equipment for your home.  What you do need to do is find ways to move your body that are enjoyable.  Not everyone is built to be a runner, so if that doesn’t light you up, don’t give up on exercise altogether!  Try yoga (there are SO MANY different styles to choose from) or a Pilates class, or maybe even some kickboxing!  Reputable studios will offer drop-in rates, and some will even let you do a trial class at a discount so you don’t need to commit to a class pass before you know if you like it.  Maybe you’re into spinning, dancing or weight lifting?  It might take awhile, but eventually you’ll find a few things that you enjoy doing, and that will keep you exercising on a regular basis.  You’ll also be amazed by the kind of workout you can do in a minimal   The benefits extend far beyond weight loss – exercise is really great for your mood and sleep too.  What are you waiting for?  Put on some runners and go for a walk tonight.

Don’t ignore your body’s cries for help.  Healthy bodies don’t struggle with digestive issues, get sick all the time, have constant aches and pains, or find it difficult to sleep.  Your body wants to be healthy and in balance, and symptoms are its way of telling you that it needs a little support.  Don’t ignore them.  The longer you wait to take care of yourself, the longer the road back to wellness will be.

Start here, and I guarantee that you will start to feel more energetic, happier, and healthier.  The rest of your journey might take more time as you discover and fine tune what works best for you, but be prepared to break all the rules as you go.  

Looking for a little support as you start your wellness journey?  Contact me for a free 20 minute phone call so we can talk about how I can help you.

arja pennanen lytle c.n.p. n.n.c.p certified nutritional practitioner

Arja is a Holistic Nutritionist with a passion for balanced living. She loves to help people sleep better, think better, feel sexier, and just generally feel better by putting the focus on eating foods that make you feel good. Arja uses whole foods, lifestyle adjustments, herbs, and some supplements to help people feel their best and achieve their health and wellness goals.