Shabby Chic Boho Life gets busy. Between work, family, socialising, and everything else you’re juggling on a daily basis, it can be hard to fit everything in and take care of yourself too. Because when things get really busy, one of the first things to get kicked to the curb is health and wellness.
You’re so busy taking care of others and running around, especially at this time of year, that what you need and what your body needs get pushed aside in favour of “getting it all done”.
And suddenly you’re not quite feeling yourself, and you’re making yet another “New Year, New Me” resolution you know you won’t keep past January 10th. But the thing is, you don’t need to wait until January to start making changes to improve your health.
There are actually multiple little swaps and changes you can make today to help you put your own health and wellness front and center so you feel good and ready to take on the end of the year.
Add Protein to Every Plate
Food is fuel, but not all food gives you the right kind of fuel. And if your diet has been on the poor side of late, then you’re likely feeling it in your energy levels and your mood, too. Because when your meals are mostly quick carb or sugar fixes, energy levels can spike and then drop.
But protein steadies things — keeps hunger quieter, keeps concentration working, and helps your body repair while you sleep. Plus, it’s the most satiating food group and will help stop you reaching for snacks as quickly after each meal.
It doesn’t need to be as complicated as counting grams or choosing “high protein” marketing gimmicks. Just add a source of protein you enjoy: eggs, chicken, tofu, lentils, beans, Greek yoghurt, tuna, and peanut butter, to name a few. And if you just so happen to pair it with veggies and carbs, amazing, if not, not worries, protein is a great start for now.
If you’ve tried adding protein and improving your diet, you might need some more help from a medical standpoint, and getting a quick health consultation can help point you in the right direction so you can move forward with dietary changes that actually benefit you.
Walk Whenever You Can
Here’s the thing: the 10,000 steps was a marketing gimmick. And it doesn’t matter if this is completely unsustainable for you; what matters is that you do what you can manage.
Unlike the gym, which becomes less enticing after the initial excitement for most, walking isn’t something you need a membership for; you do this all the time anyway. But the trick is to up how much you walk by realistic levels.
A lap of the block, a walk around your garden, and going up and down the stairs a few times. It all helps; you just need to do more than you already are. Just an extra 5 minutes of walking a day can be beneficial, and it’s pretty easy to slot in too.
Sleep is the Magic Elixir
A lack of sleep shows up everywhere — in your diet, your mood, your energy levels — and it’s never in a good way. If you’re running on caffeine and adrenaline, don’t be shocked when the crash inevitably comes sooner rather than later.
And it’s no good telling you to get more sleep and go to bed early because, in an ideal world, everyone would do this.
Instead, look at the little changes you can make to help you get more rested, and sleep will come. It could be going to bed half an hour earlier, having a relaxing bath before bed, or committing to no screens in the bedroom. Find whatever works for you and commit to trying to get more sleep, even if it’s just 30 minutes per night; it helps.
The Snack Swap
Who doesn’t love a good snack, especially when you need a 3 pm pick-me-up? But contrary to popular belief, snacking isn’t the enemy; it’s actually beneficial. It’s the snacks that leave you feeling emptier than before you ate them. That’s the issue. The ones that entice you in and give you nothing back.
Try swapping out one snack per day for something healthier, or that has staying power: an apple with peanut butter, a handful of nuts and berries with some Greek yoghurt and maybe a dash of honey, or some carrot sticks with some hummus. And if it does need to be something really sweet, try a protein bar so you get the hit, but you get something that fills you up.
Be Kinder to Your Gut
There’s a lot of food and diet-based tips here, but this one is important and can help you pull all food tips together. Your gut handles everything you give it — stress, food, schedule shifts. And if you’ve been rushing meals or eating foods that aren’t so great, your gut will feel it first. And it’s probably struggling.
Start by focusing on what you’re eating and slowing down and actually chewing your food. Then add a fibre boost where you can — oats at breakfast, beans in soups, and berries for desserts. If you like probiotic foods, great, so does your gut. It’s the small changes that make the difference here, and a healthy gut means good digestion, and you just feel better.
Set Boundaries
Not everything is about what you eat or how you move; it’s about knowing your limits, and to not burn yourself out. You need to learn how to manage your workload or mental load and say no to anything that’s going to tip you over.
So try saying no once a week to something you usually say yes to but feels like too much. Choose yourself over others if they’re taking too much of your energy, and give yourself permission to do something for yourself or do nothing at all. An early night over cleaning the kitchen, for example, a takeaway on the sofa over a night out, make the choice to prioritize your wellness, set the boundaries, and you’ll instantly feel better for it.
