Posted: December 28, 2022

Alea Lester Fite, RD

Focus on Self Care Before the New Year

With the New Year fast approaching many of us are busier than ever. This can make it hard to find time to take care of yourself and your own well-being. However, it is extremely important that we move caring for our own health and wellness higher up on our priority list. No need to wait until the New Year, no need to make a resolution – just make the commitment to yourself. Plus, your Vitamine Wellness registered dietitians are here with their tips to help you focus on self-care. 

Tips for Focusing on Self-Care:

1. Find space to breath: Try to schedule some space in your calendar for yourself. This could be as simple as just time that is free of commitments. Or you could schedule time to partake in a favorite pastime or hobby. Another way to really focus on catching your breath is to do some meditation. A meditation session doesn’t have to be long; you could just take a minute or two to focus or follow a guided meditation.
2. Stick to a movement routine: Another great way to care for yourself is to commit to getting your body moving. Exercise can be a great way to relieve stress and feel great. Your movement commitment can be as simple as 5 minutes per day. Starting with just a few minutes a day can help you build a routine on which you can build.
3. Stay hydrated: Symptoms of dehydration include fatigue, headache and dizziness. Keeping yourself properly hydrated can help you stay focused during this busy time. Increasing your water intake can also help you balance your intake of other beverages and keep you from over-snacking.
4. Get some rest: Adequate sleep is an important part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle all year round. However, sometimes as our schedules get busier, getting enough sleep can slip further down on the priority list. Honor yourself and your health by setting a proper bedtime, just like you would with kids.  
5. Find outlets for stress: Chronic stress can have a variety of negative effects on the body. Plus, many people tend to eat more when they are stressed out or anxious. Finding non-food related outlets for reducing stress can help redirect those feelings into something more positive and even productive. Spending a little time doing something that you enjoy can also help lift your mood and keep you happier and healthier throughout the whole year.

Focusing on taking care of yourself, just like you would others, is an important part of maintaining good health as we move into the new year. You may find that including one or more of these tips into your daily or weekly routine can improve your mood and overall wellness. This means that you can start the new year on a healthy note. If you are still unsure of where to start, reach out to one of your Vitamine registered dietitians by sending them a chat message today!