- Restful sleep. Our bodies and minds need to recharge and reboot every night and process all the info acquired during the day. Get at least 7-9 hours a day and make sure your bedroom is cool and free of clutter. Also, if the air quality in your area is less than desirable, consider having an air purifier in your bedroom - you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes!
- Drink water. Drink plenty of it! That is, clean water, with as few chemicals as possible. Hello carbon water filter! Aim at drinking between half an ounce and an ounce for each pound you weigh, depending on how you feel and your lifestyle.
- Fill at least half of your plate, ideally 3/4 of your plate, with organic vegetables and fruits, mostly leafy green vegetables. And make sure you are also eating healthy fats. The recipes don’t need to be complicated. Go on a solo date to a bookstore and pick a recipe book that appeals to you; there are plenty of books that feature recipes with only a few ingredients that you can cook in less than 30 minutes. Have fun! Show off your creativity and put together delicious meals!
- Eat plenty of sweet vegetables. You will see that your sugar cravings are satiated if you choose to eat these.
- Have meat as a treat, not a staple. There are many other sources of protein that are often healthier than meat, and way friendlier to the environment.
- Avoid processed foods. These foods often contain way more sugar, salt and unhealthy fat than you ever needed. Also, they often contain artificial ingredients like preservatives and dyes that are very detrimental to your health. Avoid them at all costs, and don’t buy any products that contain more than five ingredients or products with ingredients you cannot pronounce.
- Instead of processed foods, eat organic foods that are whole and that are seasonal and local. Your neighborhood farmers’ market is a great source. Talk to the farmers and learn about their farming practices and the history of those foods - you’ll enjoy what you eat even more!
- Chew your food well (30 seconds per mouthful or more!) and make eating a pleasurable experience, in a calm environment. Notice and honor how you feel when eating different foods, and choose the ones that work for you and make you feel good. Don’t just follow a trendy diet.
- Use non-toxic beauty and cleaning products. They are increasingly available, and you can always make your own. Your skin is your biggest organ, and it absorbs a lot of the products you expose it to. It’s not only about what you ingest, but also about what you breathe and what you absorb through your skin.
- Keep your home tidy and clean. Make it a sanctuary. Have plants all over the house – aside from providing beauty and connecting you to nature, they will help you keep a toxin-free environment. Also, aerate your home at least 15 minutes every day by opening the doors and windows.
- Make friends with your body and mind. Practice the habit of nurturing yourself with foods and thoughts that are good and healthy for your body and mind - just as you might advise your best friend or your child. Learn how to listen to your body and pay attention to your intuition. Your body and mind always know what is best for you, you just have to quiet the chatter and listen. Just like a plant always turns towards the sun, your body and mind will always turn to health and happiness. Listen carefully and trust your intuition!
- Move your body. That is part of the nurturing aspect I mentioned above. Treat your body and mind with love and respect. When you move your body daily, you boost your energy and vitality, and you feel good. Try different modes of exercise until you find one that you love.
- Practice meditation and make it a daily ritual. You may also pray or simply have some quiet time and take deep breaths. These practices will calm the chatter in your brain and reset your body and mind. You’ll feel ready to tackle the day with energy, confidence and enthusiasm afterwards.
- Surround yourself with positive people. Make good connections and build healthy relationships. If everything else fails, turn to these connections. You would be surprised about what you can endure when life is not going well if you have at least one person you can trust and be yourself around. And every one of us has one such person in our lives; sometimes we just have to think carefully about who that person is!
- Present yourself well. Take as much care and pride for the outside of your body as you do for the inside. Walk tall and with dignity, be polite, and choose clothes and accessories that compliment you and show off your best self. Explore secondhand shopping – you’ll save on your budget and help the environment by upcycling and not contributing to increasing landfill issues, not to mention you will create a unique and interesting look that is just you!
- Find meaning in your life. Create a vision statement for your life. What is it that you want to do in this precious life of yours?! Who do you want to be? What do you want to accomplish? What do you want your legacy to be? Be connected to this higher purpose and find work you love and work that leads you to your calling. Stay curious, work hard, and pay attention to what the Universe is telling you – the Universe always has your back!
- Daydream about your ideal life. Envisioning and creating an intention for what it is you dream your life to be is the first step for it to become reality. Your thoughts and emotions will become your actions, and your actions will manifest into the reality you want to create. So, stay true to your dreams, persevere, and don’t be afraid to dream big and be wild. The sky is the limit!
- Be you, be uniquely you! Don’t be afraid to stand out and not fit the norm, be authentic! The world needs your energy! Be true to your beliefs and desires, and help create the world you dream about!