5 Simple Tips to Maintaining a Healthy, Happy Lifestyle

I was recently approached and asked to share advice on how to avoid the common pitfalls that are caused by lack of nourishment. With this question in mind I feel like we first have to ask,

What is nourishment?

Google says that nourish means: ​Provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition. Enhance the fertility of. Keep (a feeling or belief) in one's mind, typically for a long time. If you're asking me, to nourish oneself means to take care of you, so you get that Tiger Blood, the fountain of youth feeling, that energy that starts the moment you wake in the morning and lasts late into the evening. Nourishment means filling your cup up first! There are 5 things that come to my mind immediately when I think of this and you can start implementing today!

First, find a routine

You don't necessarily have to stick with it, but at least you know you have it to fall back on. In getting to know myself, I realize that I am kind of a stinker about sticking to a routine. I haven't been able to put my finger on it yet, but even when I find one that works for me, I tend to stray from it after about a month's time. I've learned to accept this! The bottom line is I have found a routine that works for me, that I know I can go back to at any time, so I allow myself the flexibility to fall off the wagon a little and recognize when I need to come back. Then, when it's time to reel myself in again and get back on that horse, I already have a system in place that works for me. There are COUNTLESS morning routines you can do. I first got on a good groove with my morning routine after reading The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, then this past January, I developed my own morning routine focused around my Breath Core Balance theory. It really can be as simple as Googling or Pinterest searching something like ​effective morning routines. 

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Second, ​Be good to yourself

Practice self love and compassion relentlessly. Let it spill out and carry into how you feel and care towards others too. Give yourself the space to step away from negative situations. Practice breathing. Get to know yourself better. Say positive things to yourself each morning. Be grateful for this life you are living! All these things are easier said than done, of course. I guarantee you this is not going to come naturally, especially due to the unfortunate circumstances of our present day society that is constantly promoting the lie of "all the things wrong with us." This is why it is crucial you make this a practice. You are wonderful! Right now, just the way you are. Accept yourself! Post sticky notes around your home with positive reminders, write something fantastic and positive across your bathroom mirror with dry-erase marker, put a background on your phone, look yourself in the eye and say, "I love you." 

Third, Laugh often and do things you genuinely enjoy

Never ever underestimate the power of laughter. To be able to laugh at yourself, to laugh things off, to just smile in general; it all feels so good! In my yoga classes I am constantly reminding my students to smile and never take themselves too seriously. I like to say especially if you feel silly, then laugh! Smile and laugh at yourself! Who cares what you look like or what you might actually be smiling about. Just do it because it feels good and you are making a commitment to take care of yourself! I especially love doing this with music. Car dancing, prancing around my apartment, singing at the top of my lungs to my favorite positive, upbeat songs. You can easily find this through movement, yoga, exercise, cooking, being in nature. The opportunities are endless. I highly recommend finding something that you can indulge in alone that does not require the presence of other people. Of course, share with others, but do not depend on them. Find whatever gets you to that happy space and embrace it fully! 

Fourth: Plan & Prep

 The good ol' plan and prep. Never ever ending, never ever fails. I think the most common thought when we hear the word nourish is for our brains to go to food and nutrition. I could write an entire blog post on this subject alone (and I think I will!), but for now simple steps. Think about your meals for the week, write out what is available so you know what you have to eat - your brain likes a plan! - and always, always, always bring snacks and water (my fav: with lemon) with you everywhere you go. To truly get started my advice is to find what foods harmonize with your unique body system (hello, whole30), eat accordingly, be happy, repeat. It sounds so simple, yet food goes so much deeper than that, which is why it's extremely challenging for us all to find what works best for us and then stick to that. The best thing you can do is read your labels (it shouldn't take a science lab or an in-depth Google search) and if you are like me and want to support companies who genuinely care about you and your health, then take the time to research them online (recently came across GoMacro and love the looks of this company)!

Practice forgiveness and growth

Above all else, practice forgiveness and get into a growth mindset. You should know right now that you are going to fail. Don't worry, you will also succeed. However, failing is a part of learning. It is essential for growth. Why that is not something we are taught growing up still has me baffled. Every thing has a learning curve. Even our natural talents can be honed, fine tuned, and improved upon. Whenever I catch myself trying to beat up on myself for one thing or another - something I ate, staying up too late, not working out, whatever it may be - I laugh! I shrug it off because I know better than to treat myself that way. We are constantly learning and growing and so long as you learn and grow from every situation that comes at you in life, you are going to make it far, my friend. So keep on keeping on!