Smithfield’s Healthy Habits: Wellness

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In the midst of chaotic schedules and pressure at work, taking care of your wellbeing can often sit at the bottom of your to-do list. While it can be challenging to dedicate time to ensuring daily wellness as we juggle the demands of everyday life, making small, manageable changes can be extremely impactful. Incorporating tiny wellness habits throughout your day will ensure that you are taking care of yourself, without feeling overwhelmed. Here are 5 wellness habits to improve your overall happiness and wellbeing:

 

  1. Practice Daily Gratitude

Writing down the things that you are grateful for each morning can have a huge impact on your mindset, and can really set the tone for your day. Studies have shown gratitude to improve your overall psychological wellbeing, and when you focus on life’s positives, stress and anxiety can be greatly reduced. Try spending a couple of minutes writing down three things that you are grateful for every morning. Being in a state of gratitude and appreciation for the little things in life can really alter your state of mind for the better.

 

  1. Stay Hydrated

While staying hydrated may seem like a given in your daily routine, not remembering to drink enough water is more common than you think, and can dramatically impact our overall health and wellbeing. Sufficient hydration is crucial for overall brain function, health and productivity, and not drinking enough can make us tired, hungry, and decrease our concentration levels. A great way to incorporate drinking more water into your daily routine is to buy a water bottle and keep it by your desk, or adding lemon for extra flavour. Drinking water in between all of those dehydrating cups of coffee as you work can also help you to stabilise your mood, improving your overall wellbeing.

 

  1. Move Your Body Every Hour

Whether we’re sat at our desks, relaxing or resting, we are often stuck in the same position for long periods of time. Even standing up, stretching and moving your body for a couple of minutes every hour can go a really long way. Setting a timer on your phone can help you to remember to break up your work with some movement, helping you to be more productive and take care of yourself at the same time.

 

  1. Exercise for 15 Minutes Everyday

While moving our body for a couple of minutes every hour can help us to work more productively and feel better throughout the day, daily exercise is also key to maintaining our wellbeing. You don’t need to work out for hours on end or run for miles and miles in order to reap the benefits of daily exercise – just 15 minutes of movement can work wonders for our mental and physical health. Whether exercising from home or at the gym, skipping, pilates, yoga and walking are all fantastic ways to work up a sweat. Any type of movement is better than none at all, from dancing to running, and with consistency and effort, this simple wellness habit can drastically improve your overall quality of life.

 

  1. Try a Cold Shower!

Blasting ice cold water at the end of your shower may sound like a nightmare, especially during the cold winter mornings. But – while hot showers may feel great, high temperatures can cause flushes and skin irritation, and can also make us feel more lethargic. Even just 10 seconds of cold water at the end of your shower can help improve circulation and release endorphins, ensuring we are awake and ready for the day.

 

‘Wellness’ is certainly a buzzword these days, with well-being products from CBD oil to healing crystals flooding the market. While keeping up with the trends may feel impossible, you don’t actually need to spend a small fortune in order to prioritise your own wellness. Simply adopt these small daily habits into your routine and reap the benefits of a healthier, happier life.