A Flourishing Life of Health

How to Simplify Healthy Eating

duda@arketa.com — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 09:14:10 GMT

Eating healthy doesn't have to be a chore. Here are a few of my favorite tips for eating more healthy:

Eat what you love

We've long been led to believe that eating healthy requires giving up foods that we love. We now know that is far from true. I've found that the key to consistently eating healthy is to enjoy what you eat mindfully. Find a balance that works for you without feeling like you're depriving yourself.

Practice adding rather than taking

I noticed that whenever I took something away from my diet, I would become obsessed with it and soon find myself binging on that very thing (i.e. coffee flavored Haagen Dazs Ice Cream). To avoid feeling like I was depriving myself, I learned to trick my brain into thinking I was adding to my diet rather than taking away. I started adding servings of fruit desserts and fancy salads to my meals and slowly began to replace the daily servings of store-bought ice cream with something like homemade vegan avocado ice cream. The most important practice is consistency. Focus on small and consistent changes.

Lifestyle instead of dieting

There is countless research that shows how ineffective dieting can be long term. To ensure success in eating healthy, it's important to view it as a lifestyle rather than a temporary diet. Incorporate healthy eating habits that work well for your life and slowly add to it until you've achieved the right balance of health and happiness, and then work towards maintaining it. Remember, consistency is key!

The benefits of Somatic Exercise

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:14:11 GMT

Somatic workouts are mind/body exercises that can help you become more aware of your body and its sensations. The movements can help relieve physical tension and improve your mental well-being.

Here are some somatic exercises to help you get familiar:

Breathwork

Focus on your breath to regulate your nervous system and increase oxygen levels in your blood.

Body scanning

A form of meditation that involves paying attention to how your body feels in the present moment.

Somatic stretches

Perform slow, mindful stretches while paying attention to how your body feels.

Grounding

Techniques like standing barefoot on the ground can help you feel more stable and safe.

Diaphragmatic breathing

Also known as belly breathing, this involves breathing deeply from your diaphragm.

Butterfly hug

A self-soothing technique that can help when you're feeling anxious, sad, or lonely.

Simple Guidelines to Make The Most of The Season

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:14:11 GMT

The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.

Make a list

Lists are great ways to stay on track. Write down some big things you want to accomplish and some smaller things, too.

Check the list regularly

Don’t forget to check in and see how you’re doing. Just because you don’t achieve the big goals right away doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

Reward yourself

When you succeed in achieving a goal, be it a big one or a small one, make sure to pat yourself on the back.

Think positively

Positive thinking is a major factor in success. So instead of mulling over things that didn’t go quite right, remind yourself of things that did.