Time flies so quickly, and just like that, we’re almost done with the first quarter of 2021. If you haven’t set resolutions for yourself, it’s okay. You can always make small positive changes along the way that you can cultivate into healthy habits. Developing these habits won’t just help you own this year, it can also help you live a healthier lifestyle moving forward!
1. Not waking up the first time your alarm goes off
Yes, we know that it’s very tempting to ask for 10 more minutes of sleep in the morning, but it’s high time to end that. According to a feature on The Independent, hitting the snooze button will only disrupt your sleep pattern, which can cause sleep inertia, or “the feeling of grogginess that many people have when they get up in the morning.” Trust us, this kind of heaviness isn’t the way you want to start the day.
2. Skipping exercise
The thing about exercise is that you’ll want to start slow so that you can keep on doing it, because the more you do it, the more it gets addicting (endorphins, ladies!). Set a realistic goal that answers important and specific personal needs.
Ask yourself exactly why you want to healthily lose or gain weight and make that your main goal. Is it because of your health? Is it because you want to feel stronger? Remember, the end result of looking fit and gorgeous is only a welcome bonus.
3. Indulging in toxic positivity
Being positive amidst a lot of negative can be productive, but if you do this all the time so much that valid negative feelings aren’t being acknowledged, then you may by unconsciously practicing toxic positivity—something that you shouldn’t indulge in.
According to an article by Konstantin Lukin Ph.D. on Psychology Today, “When you deny or avoid unpleasant emotions, you make them bigger.” In short, you don’t resolve them.It’s important to always acknowledge positivity and negativity. As Dr. Lukin continues, “Think of them as guidance: Emotions help us make sense of things.” Accepting your feelings won’t only help you process them, but can also cue in others to your current status, allowing them to offer you the support you may need.
4. Feeling guilty about eating
Let’s get it out there: food guilt is not healthy. Obsessing over the pizza you ate or feeling bad about your calorie count won’t make you any healthier, and it might even be an avenue for building up food-related mental issues. Health.com highlights the explanation of a New York dietitian and intuitive-eating counselor Christy Harrison, RD. “Even if it never gets bad enough to be clinically diagnosable, it’s still a problem when your thoughts about food take up so much mental space that other parts of your life begin to suffer.”
The key is simple—eat when you’re truly hungry. “Feeding your body what it wants and needs instead of restricting yourself is associated with lower rates of disordered eating, depression, and other mental issues, says Harrison.”
In fact, once the guilt in your head falls silent and you find yourself relaxing around food, you may even find yourself being more mindful with what you eat—half the guilt (and the thrill) of eating “sinful” food is the fact that you’ve considered them personally illegal or too much of an indulgence, but when that slice of cake is nothing more than a cake, it doesn’t become a big deal. You know you can eat it any time, and because of that you’ll find yourself enjoying other (healthier) options.
5. Making yourself feel small
Don’t be afraid to take up space. Put your foot down and allow your voice to be heard, whether it’s at home or at work. Stop taking less than what you know you deserve. It’s not easy, but do it often—say “no” to things that you know you can’t do or commit to, speak up during meetings, and practice saying what you mean without beating around the bush. The more often you do this, the more you’ll realize your own power, and it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Aside from developing healthier habits, you may also want to invest in real estate this year. Getting your own home is not only one of the smart investments you can make, it’s also the best way to make the most of your hard work. According to feng shui experts, real estate has a favorable energy in 2021. If you’re looking for a property that speaks of prestige and success, Air Residences in Makati City is a place for enjoying life’s possibilities. It has a luxurious two-level amenity deck with pavilions and terraces, flourishing gardens, and swimming pools. Be on your way to success in a home of your own. Learn more when you log on to www.smdc.com.
This article originally appeared on Femalenetwork.com.
*Minor edits have been made by the editors.