New and Renewed Wellness Lifestyle Shifts!
New and Renewed Wellness Lifestyle Shifts!
Welcome 2016! We invite you in from a place of optimism, hope and commitment to both new and renewed lifestyle commitments that holistically nourish our beings. Just as with each new sunrise, each New Year offers us an enhanced opportunity to dedicate and reaffirm positive health commitments that can lead to greater strength, clarity and peace in both the body and mind.
Engaging in but just a few mindful commitments can return profound and lasting benefits.
A complete and overwhelming overhaul to your already busy lifestyle is not only scary but quite truthfully often unobtainable. The most nourishing and effective way to spark transformation (not change!) is to begin by making small yet consistent lifestyle shifts (not changes!).
We here at Core Essence have compiled a few of our most favourite and easily integrated commitments to help bring more balance and vitality to your 2016 year!
Flush out the Toxins
Drinking a glass of room temperature lemon water as a morning ritual prior to that cup of java is a great way to start the day. Citrus water helps detoxify your liver, purify your blood, promotes healthy digestion and calm your nerves. Lemons are extremely popular for their therapeutic properties and ability to boost and strengthen your immune system. If you want to go a step further, substitute the coffee altogether for a green tea and add lemon!
Digital Detox
We all know how social media and around the clock accessibility by cellphone can take over our lives. As such, it is important to recognize that our use of technology is in fact a choice. Start of 2016 by making a healthy commitment to disconnect from all of your electronics by a set time each day. Create a window at night where the cell phone and your computer gets put away until the next day and is left for emergency calls only. Perhaps you begin by disconnecting at 10pm and then slowly work backwards allowing yourself more time for real R&R. As you disconnect, notice how much more truly connected you become to those around you.
Limit Food Intake Before Bed
Yes that’s right, time to cut out the midnight snacks! By not eating 2-3 hours before falling asleep you can significantly change the way your body operates. Shutting down for the day after a large meal does not allow your body any time to properly digest and extract the nutrients you need from your food, not to mention those unprocessed calories build up and slow down your metabolism, which can lead to an increase in weight gain. Eating at night also upsets your body’s natural day/night cycle and leads to poor quality sleep as it interferes with your bodies biological clock.
Tune into your Body
Find that inner peace and happiness by setting aside time to meditate once or twice a day, even if just for a short window of time. Meditation can work wonders for the mind body and soul! If you do not have time to get to a yoga class, practice these 5 simple steps to gain similar benefits that will allow your body to have more time in a tranquil state.
- Find a comfortable setting away from any distractions for 5-10 minutes.
- Set a clock or favourite piece of music to notify you when the time is up so you don’t have to worry about staying too long (or falling asleep!)
- Find a comfortable cross-legged position, close your eyes and relax. Take a few deep breaths from your diaphragm several seconds apart from each other and gently let the breath fill your whole body.
- Don’t worry about the occasional thought entering into your mind. Instead practice acknowledging them and then gently letting them go; allowing your thoughts to pass by like the clouds. Return your focus then to the present moment.
- When the time is up to return to your day feeling revitalized, keep this slow rhythmic breathing with you throughout your day to encourage a clear and peaceful mind.
Dedicate Time to Self Care and Relaxation
A very therapeutic way to further eliminate toxins from the body is through massage therapy. Massage therapy helps to circulate the blood and oxygen throughout the body, drain your lymphatic system and release tension that can build up and be stored in the musculature of the body. If you find yourself tense and sore, massage therapy can significantly help ease muscle pain and reduce anxiety. For maximum benefits, seek out a registered massage therapist to perform your treatment.