Prioritize Your Well-Being: 4 Key Aspects

Taking care of ourselves and prioritizing our well-being is something that women struggle with due to feelings of guilt. From a very young age, we learn through modeling after our mothers and society's expectations that we are caregivers. Therefore, we must care for the needs of others before our own.

Do not get me wrong, I'm not talking about all women, but it is a fact. Regardless of our ethnicity, culture, or generation, you can see it across the board.

This expectation often leads to a sense of duty to care for everyone first, leaving us mentally and physically exhausted. It leaves us with little to no energy for self-care, and we eventually become resentful and stoic.

I know you know what I am talking about.

August is National Wellness Month, a time dedicated to taking care of yourself across all dimensions of well-being.

There are four aspects of your life that you can control. It is not rocket science; it involves making yourself a priority. Let's get started!

Disconnect from Social Media

Reduce Stress by disconnecting from social media. We have become so consumed and addicted to social media in our society that we seriously need to disconnect or take a break from electronics.

Ask yourself these questions. What can I do to shift my focus away from what others are doing and the negative political news I often encounter? How can I become more cognizant of what I view while scrolling on my phone or tablet? What can I do differently to make this habit more positive and beneficial for my health and mental well-being?

Think about that for a moment.

Start Walking to Get Fresh Air

Walking is the most affordable form of exercise that can make a huge impact on your health immediately. Walking is easily accessible for everyone, regardless of fitness level, and the best part about it is that you can do it anywhere at any time.

Getting outdoors and exercising has many advantages. Both mentally and physically. First, it kickstarts your "happy hormones," which elevate your mood. These include endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Second, walking is a great social activity you can do with family, friends, or by yourself.

Here is what your body needs: 150 minutes weekly to maintain health benefits. For added benefits or weight loss, 150 to 300 minutes of weekly physical activity.

Physical benefits include cardiovascular health, increased muscle and bone strength, reduced metabolic conditions, and improved balance and stability.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep is essential for overall health, as during sleep, the body undergoes mental and physical repair and reboots itself.

When we don't get quality sleep at night, our body is in a constant state of duress, which causes the hormone Cortisol to be released. The body continues to release Cortisol levels until stress levels decrease.

High levels of cortisol in the body can lead to several harmful effects, including disruptions in metabolism, blood sugar fluctuations, decreased bone density and muscle mass, elevated blood pressure, cognitive difficulties, and an increase in abdominal fat.

The amount of sleep a person needs depends on their physiology. Current research indicates that 7-9 hours is ideal for most individuals.

Eat to Live, Not Live to Eat

Reset your eating-by-eating cleaner. Limit or avoid highly processed foods, including fast food and packaged items. Limit simple carbohydrates such as pastries, table sugar, cookies, and donuts.

Your body works for you 24/7 without any breaks. It is essential to treat it with respect and provide the proper fuel it needs to function optimally. If you feed your body junk, it can break down over time, potentially leading to issues like metabolic syndrome. You know the 80/20 rule. Eighty percent is nutritional habits, and twenty percent is exercise.

Every day is a new day. Make August the month you take control of your overall well-being. Remember, every day is a new day to make a change.

Living a healthy 365 life is a lifestyle!