5 WAYS TO MAKE TIME FOR YOUR HEALTH IN THE NEW YEAR

Make time for your health and you'll open up new doors in the coming year.

Better health is possible if you take the time and initiative to make it happen. Begin with small steps, and start showing up for yourself.


BY: MARISSA CAMPANELLA, RDN, LDN

We’re people from all walks of life, with all sorts of journeys and obstacles that we need to overcome in order to find health and happiness in our lives.

Often time, it’s all about taking that first step.

Just showing up for yourself is arguably the hardest part, and sometimes, that involves admitting that you need to make certain changes.  No matter what events took place, this is when it’s important to get honest with yourself and dig deep.

But to do that, you must actually find and make time to actually do it.

Check out this list of 5 ways to make more time for yourself. Take what works, leave what doesn’t, and know that we’re all in this together.

1. Assess how you spend you time.

If you want to spend your time doing yoga, meal planning, or getting more sleep, you will need to FIND time in your schedule.

What time do you go to bed? What time do you wake up? Are you a planner or do you rush? What do you do when you get home from school/work? How often are you on social media?

These are areas that you need to look at before you can consider the following:

  • How can you better spend your time?
  • How do you want to spend your time?
  • How will you make time for the new activities to include in your life?

You must look at the activities that don’t add value to your life, and really take note of how much of your time they are taking up. There is probably room to scale back.

2. Be prepared.

If you pick to work on any of these tips, this one’s the winner. If you are not prepared, you are less likely to succeed. The planning you do for yourself will only benefit YOU.

Pick a day to prepare more and take the time to DO IT.  Make your breakfast ahead of time, like pre-baked quiches and overnight oats. Wash and chop vegetables. Buy the pre-packaged salad mixes. When you cook, make large quantities to freeze for a later date.

Over time, it will become less difficult to do your weekly prepping because it transitions into a habit.  However, it’s your choice to stay prepared, and to keep it up.

3. Make your day count.

Let’s get real, exercise does not have to be 2 grueling hours at the gym.  Most likely, the gym is not our full time job.

Make your day count by finding little ways to move more. Go the long way. Take the stairs. Pace on the phone. You’ve likely heard all of this before, but it’s the little things that add up and how you can save yourself time after long work hours.

Do it to it!

4. Go to bed.

Just go.

Seriously, if you’re beat and feeling tired, try going to bed 30 minutes before you normally do. Good sleep is essential for your health to recover and rejuvenate.

5. Make time for yourself.

When you take time for yourself, you’re able to refresh and recharge so you have energy to give to others.   In order to be your best at work and home, you need to take care of yourself first.

If self-care is new for you, schedule one hour once or twice a week to focus on you. Start the book you’ve been wanting to. Relax in a bath. Watch a movie. It’s so easy to get caught up in everything you “need” to do and get burned out. Take it easy, you deserve the time off. You’ll feel better rested to conquer the challenging times.

Adapted from the original article.
HEADER IMAGE: NICK JIO

Marissa Campanella, RDN, LDN is a private practice Registered Dietitian based in Scranton, PA helping people find the balance between healthy and happy.  As a ‘food peace promoter’, Marissa specializes in helping those with food struggles and disordered eating in learning how to enjoy food while leaving guilt and self criticisms behind. Connect with Marissa at Thrive Nutrition.