Wellness Week: Change

Daily Change:

The only constant is change. As cliché as that saying is, it holds true in many situations. Most of us grow comfortable and get stuck in the patterns and routines that we have adopted. While some of these help us seek wellness, often these can be slowly detrimental. Addressing them all at once can be overwhelming, each day take a moment and change one habit for the better. Even if it is a small change, small changes lead to life changes over time. Give these changes a try and see what happens!

  • Day 1- Give it a rest. As the school year picks up, many will have increased screen time. When working with screens be sure to take 20-second breaks for every 20 minutes you are looking at your computer or phone. This will prevent eye strain and reduce headaches.
  • Day 2- Take regular walks. No one needs to start running marathons but being intentional about getting up and moving every day can help immensely. Take a 5-minute walk each hour, even if it is just to the bathroom.
  • Day 3- Have a bottle at hand. While 8 cups of water a day might be hard to achieve, try having a water bottle with you so that whenever you are thirsty, water can be your easiest choice instead of coffee or soda. If plain water is too boring, try flavoring your water to stay hydrated.
  • Day 4- Plan ahead. Most people do not plan to make bad decisions but in the heat of the moment lack of planning makes for limited options. Planning looks different for everyone. Some it is getting extra sleep so that they rely less on caffeine, for others, it's packing a healthy snack rather than hitting the vending machine. Plan to plan this week!
  • Day 5- Eat more! Well, at least more often. Snacking throughout the day keeps your energy higher and reduces cravings between meals which often lead to overeating. Snacks are especially helpful when you plan for and pack healthy snacks!

The way each of these sections is set up is that they can be done week after week. I hope that at the end of Wellness Week these sections will help you implement long-term change and set goals to move toward Living Well. Additionally, each of the sections and daily tips can help you set a goal for our Wellness Challenge that is now live!