You only have to look at Instagram to see that many people are using the lockdown to get in shape and work towards a healthier, happier future. If you’re thinking about health and wellbeing, but you’re not sure where to start, here are some tips to help you take control.
Carry out a personal audit
It’s very easy to get carried away with comparing yourself to others, especially at a time when many people are more active on social media. Before you start making plans and setting ambitious goals in line with what you’re seeing on social networks or in glossy magazines, carry out a personal audit. How healthy do you think you are? Do you have any bad habits? What do you do on a daily basis to protect and nourish your body and mind? Whatever the outcome, it’s never too early or late to start thinking about the choices you make. You might be inactive, you may have a poor diet, or you may be partial to stocking up on supplies from stores like Atomic Blaze online head shop and enjoying a smoke. The results of your audit will help you ascertain where you are and where you want to get to. It’s beneficial to avoid comparing yourself to people you see online and to take expert advice on board when it comes to your health and wellbeing. Some people may seem to have a very healthy lifestyle, but this is not always the case. Social media provides a snapshot, and it can be a breeding ground for unhealthy eating and exercise habits.
Figure out what you want to achieve
If you are keen to take control of your physical and mental health, and you want to make changes, figure out what you want to achieve. What are your key objectives? Once you know what kinds of goals you want to set, you can think about how you’re going to get there. Perhaps you want to be more active, maybe you want to lose weight, or perhaps you’re desperate to try and cut down on smoking or drinking, for example.
Understand the importance of individual choices
There is a lot of pressure on people to make decisions based on what others think and do, but in the vast majority of cases, adopting a healthy lifestyle is a personal choice. Nobody can make you go for a run or ditch junk food forever. You have to be comfortable with the decisions you make and you should make changes for your own benefit. Don’t feel like you have to pursue a fad diet because that is what celebrities with washboard stomachs are doing. Research, read articles from reputable sources and take expert advice on board, but understand the importance of individual choices. If you feel like you’re not quite ready to quit smoking, for example, you could look into getting help to try and gradually cut down. If you don’t want to sacrifice all the foods you love, look for ways to make those dishes healthier and allow yourself a treat from time to time. Move at your own pace, set realistic targets and focus on your own progress. It’s also critical to note that if you do need advice or support, there is help out there.
We often take our health for granted, and sometimes, unexpected situations can cause us to reflect on our lifestyle choices. If you’ve decided that you want to take better care of yourself, there are ways to take control. Focus on your goals, go at your own pace and concentrate on making changes that will benefit you.
