Like Pennies in a Jar, Good Habits Add Up!
By Donna Stark
Have you ever kept a penny jar in your home? At first, those few pennies on the bottom of the bottle don't seem like much, do they? But over time, they can certainly start to add up and before you know it, a small fortune has been amassed, maybe even to the tune of a couple hundred dollars. That's a big difference, and it's the perfect example to use when talking about those seemingly insignificant habits we can change to improve our overall health and wellness. You see, the road to better health doesn't always start with a leap. Sometimes, you need a couple of baby steps first. Take a look at a few here.
Manage Stress
Experts will usually recommend exercise, meditation, and a hot bath to reduce stress, but you may not always have the time for those. So look for other ways that you can bring a few minutes of relaxation into your life. You can take a break with a cup of hot tea, you can turn the lights off and listen to soothing music, or you can spend some time with your pet. Reducing the amount of stress you encounter every day is important because chronic stress can lead to significant health issues.
Reduce Your Salt Intake
Take that salt shaker off the table and let the flavors of your food shine on their own! Having salt on your table makes it all too easy to consume too much of it and that can lead to high blood pressure if you aren't careful. So keep the salt with your other spices and save it for cooking only.
Follow a Sleep Routine
Prioritize your sleep! It's important to establish a consistent sleep routine so that your body can maintain its natural circadian rhythm. You can do this by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, limiting your tech use an hour before bed, and creating an ideal environment to sleep in. Once you establish this routine, stick to it!
Check Your Posture
Be mindful of how you are sitting and standing throughout the day. If you find that you are slouched forward, hunched over, or looking down at your phone, take a few seconds and correct your posture. Sit up straight, pull your shoulders back, hold your head in a neutral position, and uncross those legs! Taking just a few seconds to do so can help alleviate the tension in your muscles and can reduce the risk of back, neck, and shoulder pain.
Making a Difference
Like those pennies in the jar, all of these small steps can add up to something big! And the good thing about this is that it is never too late or too early to start! So make some changes today and get on the path that leads to a healthier you!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wheaton,Ill.