I don’t know about you but I feel like my instagram feed right now is FULL of new diets everyone is trying right now – keto diet, faster way to fat loss, intermittent fasting, etc. I’m not knocking any of these diets – I’ve never tried any of them and haven’t done hardly any research. But, I think when it comes to kickstarting a healthy lifestyle there are SO many changes we can make in our daily lives. Yes, eating healthy is so important. But for today’s wellness post, I want to share 3 simple, but really important, things you can do to live and feel healthier and more balanced! These all probably sound so basic, but I think sometimes we need to get back to the basics and be reminded of these simple truths!

Tip #1: Sleep

Most of you probably know that sleep is so important and it plays a integral part of how we feel everyday. You can drink 100 green smoothies a day and workout 6 days a week. But if you aren’t getting a healthy amount of sleep, your body is still lacking – physically and emotionally. Most studies show the human body needs to sleep around 8hrs a night to get a full, healthy night’s rest. I personally think every body is different and only YOU know what amount of sleep is right for you. I think my magic number is 8-9 hrs.

Make a goal for yourself to get this healthy amount of sleep every night and I promise, you will notice drastic changes in your mental and physical health. If getting 8hrs of sleep sounds impossible to you right now…maybe start small. Try going to bed just 30 minutes earlier than you usually do, without a phone, without tv. You will obviously notice increased energy during the day, but you’ll also notice a better ability to focus, less mood swings, better workouts, etc.

Tip #2: Water

We’ve all heard it a million times: drink more water. But there really are SO many benefits to this. Your skin looks so much healthier, glowy, and hydrated when you’re drinking plenty of water. Drinking lots of water also helps fight bloat, and keeps you feeling fuller, longer. Being hydrated gives you more energy, helps fight headaches, plus so many other things. SO, if you don’t have a go-to water bottle, I think this is the first place to start. Get a big one – I like the 32oz size – keep it at your desk, bring it in your car, bring it in the mall with you, bring it everywhere! The more you drink, the more you will want to drink. So, starting this habit can be challenging, but it’ll get easier, just like any habit! I think you will notice a huge difference in your skin, your hunger, and bloat!

Tip #3: Decrease stress

If sleep is one of the best things you can do for your body, stress is possibly the worst. I read an article that said “Stress has direct effects on the adrenals, causing them to put out more cortisol. Elevated cortisol, in turn, has a wide range of effects on your body including slowing or stopping digestion and absorption, altering your calorie needs and usage, altering how you store your food (think: increased belly fat) and altering your liver function, which in turn affects your ability to detoxify.”

So, now that we’re all aware of how bad stress is for the mind and body…what can we do about it? This looks different for everyone. When I notice my stress getting out of control…I make sure I am spending time on myself – even if it’s just 15 minutes. This really helps me get my mind right and pour all of my anxieties out.! Another way I decrease stress in my life is exercise. I love spinning and I love being outside. A few other ways to decrease stress: take a bath at night(which I do pretty much every night) have a dedicated “no screen time” part of your day, read a book for 30mins before bed. Some people de-stress by cooking or baking or hiking. We’re all different! Find what it is that de-stresses you – calms your mind down, helps you feel at peace…and make time for that regularly! Sometimes throughout the day I just remind myself to take 3 deep breaths, and I instantly feel calmer.

I know these 3 steps seem so simple and basic but you would be surprised at how they can change the way you feel on a daily basis. Okay, who’s ready to start taking simple steps towards a healthier lifestyle?! If you start implementing any of these tips, definitely tag me on IG stories and let me know! These are all small things that really can make a huge difference in your life!