The world today is a crazy, busy place and all too often we get caught up in our own busy-ness and forget to pay attention to being consistent in a few small areas of life that collectively make a huge difference to our wellbeing. Here are a few simple areas of life we can all focus on to make a great impact in our own lives an the lives of those around us.

Nutrition

It’s so easy when we’re busy with our day-to-day responsibilities to forget to eat or to compromise our nutrition by eating convenience foods or fast foods. These may fill the gap, but they often lack the essential nutrients required in a balanced diet. It’s a far better choice to prioritise the time each day to prepare nutritious, balanced meals that contain a healthy ratio of protein, carbohydrates, essential healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. In between, snack on quality proteins at least every two hours to keep your metabolism working optimally and ensure you drink at least two litres of clean, filtered water each day to hydrate and cleanse the body. Supplementation also plays an important role in a healthy nutritional routine. Busy schedules and environmental factors contribute to gaps between what we need and what we actually get in terms of vitamins and minerals from our regular diet. Try to choose organic, plant-based supplements that contain phytonutrients as these provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Sleep

There’s something to be said for a good night’s sleep, but one of the biggest challenges is being able to consistently get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night.  It might sound ridiculous to some, but one of the best routines you can establish for optimal health is a consistent bedtime and getting the recommended number of hours of sleep.

Exercise

Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does regular exercise help you manage your weight and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases, it can help prevent and treat mental health problems. It can boost your wellbeing and mood and is a great way to unwind from the stresses and pressures that life throws your way. 

Mindfulness

Many people don’t realise that they are actually in control of what they allow into their consciousness. Without realising it, they allow negativity to flood in through television, radio and social media, not realizing that they can change the quality of their own life and thoughts by making different choices. When you don’t watch what you let into your mind, you are allowing weeds to propagate and to spread. No matter how smart, confident or motivated you are, if you don’t stand guard at the door of your mind you are giving tacit approval to that which disempowers and disillusions you over time. There are many different ways to create a positive input into your mind:

• Spiritual connection within your chosen faith.
• 10 minutes of meditation daily.
• A daily gratitude routine.
• 15 minutes of reading each day.
• Listening to positive audios or podcasts while you commute to and from work or school.

None of these things needs to take an inordinate amount of time on their own but compounded their impact on your wellbeing is profound. 

Association

Jim Rohn famously said, “You’re the average of the five people you spend most of your time with.” Many people underestimate the importance of the company they keep, but the bottom line is that the people around you matter. The influence of those closest to you can be seen in your thinking, your decisions, your behaviour and your self-esteem. Choose to be around people who uplift you and who challenge you to be better. Your “five” may also change over time, depending on how and where you choose to spend your time. 

In closing, there’s one principle to remember when it comes to these things: skip doing them today and it probably won’t be evident or make a big difference tomorrow, but skip doing them for the next 10 years and the difference between you and someone whose prioritised these areas of their life will be evident. Choose to live a life of conscious design rather than letting life happen to you.

#LIVELIFELOVELIFE #liveinthemoment #bebetteratbeingbetter #payitforwards

#ShiftHappens #WinAtLife