Since our last look at Mindful Moments, thanks to Covid restrictions lifting in the UK, the pace of life has started to catch speed again. Summer 2021 has felt busy, all those postponed weddings to attend, double birthday celebrations and catching up with the people and hobbies we’ve missed. As lovely as it is to be able to get out and about, it’s important to remind ourselves that self care and wellbeing is still a priority.
At LivLife HQ we’re passionate about supporting individuals on their health & wellbeing journey. Not just with healthy diet choices, but with a holistic approach to general wellbeing that encourages positive physical, social and mental state. That’s why we’ve pulled together some tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle balance in this ‘new normal’.
Nutrition
Let’s get the obvious one out the way, eat well. When life gets busy it’s easy to grab a shop bought sandwich, a carb loaded snack or sugary drink; they are all readily available in most shops when you’re dashing about. Those sugar spikes might give you energy and stave off the hunger pangs for a while, but the effects won’t last long and your body will be left feeling depleted. Try your best to make sure you are still drinking enough water and fitting in those veggies and healthy carbs where you can. Try to get into – or keep up the good habits! A little bit of preparation goes a long way. Plan meals (this will also cut down on food waste), batch cook, make use of your freezer and spend a bit of time creating packed lunches. Future you will thank past you!
Sleep
We all know the benefits of sleep for muscle and cell repair, but did you know lack of zzz’s can also lead to weight gain? According to Healthline , a major review found that short sleep duration increased the likelihood of obesity by 89% in children and 55% in adults. Poor quality sleep can also lead to an increase in ‘hunger hormones’ resulting in poor nutritional choices, as well as a decreased resting metabolic rate. So, not only will a good night’s sleep improve your general wellbeing, it could also support your weightloss journey.
Movement
Ah we all had such good intentions at the beginning of the pandemic. Donning our lycra and taking part in online workouts, but by lockdown 2 the enthusiasm dwindled. Now that the days are filling back up as we return to the office or tackle the school run, it’s important not to forget to move your body. It doesn’t have to be a hardcore HITT workout everyday, but a 20 min walk to get the blood flowing and muscles engaged will do wonders for your physical and mental health. Remember when a walk was the highlight of the day?
Relationships
Although the pandemic created distance between many relationships in our lives it also forced us to develop our relationships with ourselves, for some that was the only company. For others the sudden stillness and quiet brought the realisation that boundaries needed reestablishing in certain relationships. Whether you’re basking in your new packed social life or enjoying newly established boundaries, remember the relationship with yourself is most important.
Meditation/Breathwork
Taking a moment to stop and focus gives your mind and body the opportunity to realign. You don’t need to carve out long periods of time, just a few minutes of simple breathwork can provide immediate feedback. It’s a great tool to pull out when you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or off-center. Check out The Science Behind Breathwork.
