30 Days to Better Health
In the wellness world, and the world in general, there seems to be a misconception that dramatic change originates from dramatic effort. Unless you live in a rom-com, I’m assuming your life isn’t replete with grand gestures. For us average folk, most days are a series of subtle actions that may or may not contribute to our long term goals. In other words, it’s the small day to day choices we make that create the larger picture.
We can all agree that consistently smoking cigarettes on a daily basis would be more likely to raise our risk of lung cancer than going on the occasional smoking binge would. Consistency, rather than occasional all out effort, is what truly shapes our lives.
What if I told you there was a way to improve your overall health in roughly 20 minutes a day? For the low, low price of….just kidding, you didn’t accidentally stumble into an informercial. This is simply an invitation from an over enthusiastic Joyful Gym Rat.
Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to add the three habits listed below to your daily routine for 30 days. Don’t feel like you have 20 minutes? Try adding them in one at a time if you must. Small steps forward are always better than taking no steps at all. Feel like you have more than 20 minutes? Increase the amount of time you spend on each activity as you see fit. Consistency is key, so do what you deem realistic. Throughout the span of 30 days you may change how or when you perform these habits, the only requirement is that you perform them. So what are you waiting for? Today is the first day of the rest of your life (cue inspirational rom-com music and pan camera in on you reading this post with a starry-eyed smile….):
Drink Water First Thing In the Morning: Drink as much as you please with the minimum being 8 oz. Feel free to have your morning coffee or tea as you normally do, just make sure to drink water first. Need some inspiration as to why? Check out this post.
Exercise for 15 Minutes Every Day: If you regularly read this blog, you are familiar with my fondness for morning rituals and routines. Morning exercise is great but for the purpose of this challenge we can keep things more general. Try moving your body and getting your heart rate up wherever and whenever you like, just make sure to do it every day.
Meditate for 5 Minutes: For my clients new to meditation, I often recommend this app. You can also set a timer and go on your own. For more information on the whys and hows of beginning a meditation practice, take a scroll through my Mindfulness Monday series.
For more ideas and inspiration check out The Joyful Gym Rat Facebook page!
Dee credits her robust health to drinking water first thing in the morning…and copious amounts of sleeping on the couch…..