New year resolutions for increased well-being
In the fast-paced world we live in, we are juggling so much and it often feels like there are simply not enough hours in a day to do everything we want to. If you’re anything like me, health and wellbeing are always moved to the bottom of the list. First, there’s work, other day-to-day responsibilities, social engagements, Netflix and then if I can, I try to squeeze in going to the gym or getting 8 hours of sleep.
I’ve learned that self-care is not self-indulgent. When you take care of your mind and body, they will in turn take care of you. It comes down to biology. Last year was very challenging for me and I reached burnout. It was the reality check I needed to start prioritising my mind-body wellness. I’d like to share 2 practices I’ve been experimenting with over the past few months.
Intermittent fasting
I found it difficult at first but realised that the challenge was in my head. We are conditioned to eat 3 meals a day and snacks in-between so breaking that habit is not easy. I’ve stuck with it, although I’m not super strict and when life happens, I let it. On most days I eat within a certain window of time and I no longer feel hungry when I do fast. In fact, I feel great and not only has it helped me to lose/maintain my weight, but my energy levels and concentration have noticeably improved.
Meditation
I learned that there are many misconceptions about meditation. The purpose of meditation is not to make you stoic-like and non-reactive but rather to make you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions. When they arise, acknowledge them, sit with them for a while and consider how you could respond better the next time. Naval Ravikant likened meditation to intermittent fasting. In the way that intermittent fasting promotes cell repair and removes waste from our cells, meditation declutters our minds and gets rid of the junk.
I’ve seen and felt the benefits from implementing these fairly small changes to my daily routine. Next on my list is to pin down (and stick to) a regular exercise routine and attempt, attempt being the keyword here, cold showers in 2022.
What wellness practices have you found rewarding, or would you like to start in 2022?
