Dramatically Improve Your Wellbeing
Seven habits for a healthy life
By Dr. Michelle Robin, Johnson County LIVING WELL Magazine
A year ago I released a second edition of my first book, Wellness On A Shoestring: Seven Habits for a Healthy Life. In this book I share with you seven simple, inexpensive (even free) habits that can dramatically improve your wellbeing. While the habits are not season specific, there certainly are fresh and fun ways to integrate each of them with a summertime flare. Let’s explore!
- Rest, Reflect and Rejuvenate. Our bodies, minds and spirits need time to rest and recharge. Sunlight hours in the summer are at their peak. Make the most of your days, but make an effort to wind down as the sun sets and wake up with the sunrise. Enjoy a nap on a hot Saturday afternoon, inside or on the shaded porch or in a hammock under a tree. Go on vacation or at least relish one long weekend of nothing but fun with family and friends. Rejuvenate your whole being!
- Breathe Deeply. Summer mornings are perfect for a little peace, meditation and deep breathing. Take a few moments each day before the kids get up or once they are off to summer activities, and just be. Your garden is likely in full bloom. Sit outside with your morning tea, enjoy the sights and sounds and breathe in the fresh morning air.
- Move Your Body. Get up and get going! There is no better time than summer to move your body. Personally, I love to bike for long stretches with a group of my friends. The pools are open and lakes are warm enough to swim and enjoy water sports. Swimming is particularly good for those with joint issues. Most pools set aside time for lap swimming throughout the day. With lush grass your front yard or the park down the street are perfect for just playing outside with the kids, tossing a ball around or running a game of tag.
- Free Your Space. There is no better time to clear out the clutter than summer when garage sales abound. Get the kids involved in cleaning out their rooms and toy chests. Use different colored stickers and let them keep the money from what they sell. Or set a goal that the money raised goes towards a fun family outing. It is also a wonderful opportunity to take stock in the clothes your family has outgrown. You can pass on what you can’t wear to someone in need through Big Brothers Big Sisters or another group.
- Go For The Greens. Summer is the best time for fresh fruits and veggies! We naturally crave in hotter months foods like greens and plants that grow reaching for the sun. They are light and cool, full of water and nutrients. Farmers markets are going strong for the best in local produce. You may even have a fantastic garden in your own back yard. It is fun to be part of growing something that then ends up on your dinner plate. And fresher veggies are much tastier.
- Eat From The Sea and Enjoy The Sun. This habit is about the essential nutrients of omega-3 and vitamin D. Certainly I’ve said all along to get outside. It is healthy to get 10-15 minutes of sun a day without wearing sun block. That allows you to soak up the sun’s rays and naturally process them in your body as vitamin D, which is essential for good health. However, do be careful to use natural sunblock products and cover up when outside, even in the shade, the majority of the time and avoid getting burnt. Fresh fish is the best way to get the necessary allowance of omega-3, which is important for brain and skin health, a critical anti-inflammatory, and serves many other functions. Make it fun and don’t only eat fish, but go fishing and make the catch of the day (in clean waters).
- Drink To Your Health. Water, water, water. It is hot and you are active. I can almost guarantee that most of us don’t drink enough water on a daily basis year round, but especially in the summer. As the heat and your level of activity increase, so does your need for hydration. Soda, iced tea and lemonade are not the same thing as water. Even if you’re just leisurely gardening or sitting on the back patio for a couple hours, drink water and stay hydrated. To freshen it up and cool it down try adding slices of lemon, lime or cucumber to a pitcher of cold water.
Your life will be happier and healthier incorporating these seven habits. Have fun and be well.
Dr. Michelle Robin, is an author, speaker, and Founder and CWO of Your Wellness Connection, P.A. She is the author of Wellness on a Shoestring: Seven Habits for a Healthy Life, and co-author of the #1 bestseller Succeeding In Spite of Everything. Dr. Robin can be reached at 913-962-7408 or email mrobin@yourwellnessconnection.com. yourwellnessconnection.com and drmichellerobin.com.
