At the beginning of each year, we make resolutions and promises to do better for ourselves. We commit to exercising, eating healthy, saving money, etc. Well now 2018 is halfway over (can you believe it?!) and we bet that most of those well-intentioned resolutions have fallen by the wayside.
That’s why it’s the perfect time for a ten-day wellness challenge. You’ll add in one new healthy habit each day and slowly build on them. By making one small change at a time, you won’t feel overwhelmed by taking on too much at once.
Day One: Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important pieces of your health. When you’re well rested you have a more positive attitude, your body functions better and your mind is sharper. Aim to get 7-8 hours each night. Decide what time you need to be up in the morning to get ready for your day and then figure out what time you need to go to sleep to get enough rest. After just one night you’ll be able to tell a big difference in how you feel!
Day Two: Hydration
Do you drink enough water? Chances are, no. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should be drinking even more water than usual. On day two, continue to get your 7-8 hours of sleep and add in drinking more water. Staying hydrated can help you curb hunger and have more energy.
Day Three: Goal Setting
Now that you’re well rested and hydrated, it’s time to get in the habit of setting goals. You can decide what this looks like for you. Set a big goal to strive for over the rest of the year, or a smaller one to accomplish this week. And don’t just think about it; write it down! When you physically write down your goal, you’re more likely to achieve it.
Day Four: Exercise
And now it’s time to add in some activity. Decide what your goal is based on how active you are now. It may be to go for a one-mile walk each day or to join a gym. Whatever you decide, choose something you can stick with! Be flexible and strive for 30 minutes of activity per day. Playing outside with your kids or walking the dog counts! If your mornings and evenings are packed, take two 15-minute walks during your workday.
Day Five: Healthy Choices
With your new activity goal, you’ll need to eat the right food to fuel your body. We know it can be difficult to eat clean 100% of the time, but we have some tips to help you get started. Begin by purchasing healthier foods and throwing out the junk. If chips and candy aren’t around to eat, you’ll be less likely to snack on the bad things.
Find it too difficult to tell yourself “no” to so many foods you love? Instead, tell yourself “yes” by setting a goal to eat a certain amount of fruits and veggies each day. Then, instead of saying no to the bad stuff, you’re saying yes to the good stuff. You won’t feel cheated because if you still want a treat later, you can have it! The idea is simply to add in healthier choices and make less room in your diet for the junk.
Day Six: “You” Time
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Make time to invest in your wellbeing and have some quiet time to yourself. Wake up earlier than everyone else in the house or set the kids up with some toys and books while you go into another room. If you have a favourite pastime, like a craft, do it! Joy is so important in life, so carve out time to do something that brings you joy.
Day Seven: Tackle a Bad Habit
You’ve spent six days building good habits, and now it’s time to kick a bad one to the curb. Maybe you stop by Starbucks every morning on the way to work or maybe you bite your nails. Decide where you can make a healthy change in your life for the better. With all these new goals and good choices, you have less room for the bad stuff.
Day Eight: Read
We mentioned earlier that mental health is important. Reading can be a big part of maintaining your mental health! Learning is good for your brain and your outlook on life. If you have kids, include them and read bedtime stories; but remember to make time for your own interests, too. Read a motivational book, a history book, or even a magazine.
Day Nine: Organize
Of course, you saw this and immediately began a mental list of ALL the things that need organizing at your house. It can be a lot! Today, we just want you to organize one thing. Maybe it’s your junk drawer, a closet or the DVD rack. Just do it. You may not be able to commit to organizing something every single day moving forward, but even if you do something once per week, you’ve added in a healthy habit to your schedule!
Day Ten: Budget
When was the last time you really took a look at your budget and finances? Look at how much money you’re bringing in, how much your bills are, and where you can make adjustments to save more. If you set a goal to take a family vacation or pay down debt, decide how you can make that happen!
Hopefully, you’ll be able to continue these healthy habits and build on them in the future. It can take 30 days to build the repetition for something to be a habit that you stick to. Commit to one month of focusing on the ten items above. Future “you” will be appreciative! Just imagine what you’ll be able to accomplish.
