We’re halfway through National Wellness Month, making it an ideal moment to reassess your health goals.
To keep you motivated and on track, we’ve gathered eight expert-backed tips that can help you refresh your routine, boost your well-being and make the most of the remaining days of the month — and beyond.
Practice mindfulness
In the age of honking horns, constant emails and never-ending blue light computer screens, practicing mindfulness is key.
“Anchoring to the breath helps to control intrusive thoughts of self-judgement,” Klein said.
Betty Klein, health and wellness specialist for Healthy IU, suggests focusing on the breath. Silently count your inhalations and exhalations, in (one), out (two), in (three), out (four) and so on.
Get some sleep
Steven Lalevich, registered dietician for Healthy IU, says adults should prioritize sleep to stay well. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours each night consistently for the best results.
Eat nutritious foods
Being busy sometimes means regulating what food we eat. Grabbing something quick can be a time-saver, but, during Wellness Month, this could be the time to reduce those grab-and-go’s. Lalevich recommends including a good source of protein, like lean fish, dairy, eggs, beans, lentils, soy products or nuts at each meal. Protein regulates blood sugar and keeps hunger in check.
Work/life harmony
Setting healthy boundaries in both your work and personal life can help balance your time and mental health.
“Boundaries are like a foreign language, so if they were not spoken in your home growing up, you may need to ‘learn the language,’” said Sara Kinder, work+life coordinator at Healthy IU.
Social connection
Kinder also recommends investing time in your social connections, your friends, family, neighbors and community.
“According to Dr. Murthy’s Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, social isolation, or even the perception of isolation, can increase inflammation in the body to the same degree as physical inactivity,” Kinder said.
Preventative care
Samantha Schaefer, manager at Healthy IU, suggests meeting with a medical provider at least once per year for an annual wellness visit. While there, discuss with your physician if you are up to date on screenings, exams and vaccines.
Physical activity
All movement counts! Schaefer recommends at least 150 minutes total per week of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking or yard work.
“As we age, it is even more important to include at least two days a week of strength or weight training,” Schaefer said.
Financial wellness
Money is the number one cause of stress in American households, according to the American Psychological Association. Schaefer suggests exploring ways to tune into your financial wellness and assess the next steps to reach your future goals. Some recommended steps may be to use a budgeting tool on your phone to track spending and savings or working with a financial planner to determine how to reach your goals for the future.
For more information about Healthy IU and to view their resources, visit healthy.iu.edu.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
