How I’m learning to be healthier this year

Today’s post was written by my dear friend and fellow blogger, Olivia Blake. We decided to take over each other’s blogs today with a bit of positivity and motivation on how we can lead healthier lives this year. These aren’t resolutions, but goals! So once you’re done with this one, do check out the blog post I wrote for her site!

GUEST POST by Olivia Blake

Wanting to be healthier is something that comes with every New Year. I don’t know what it is, but it always happens. The gyms get busier, people start their diets and try to move their bodies more. I wonder why that happens? What is it about a new year that makes people want to change? I am such a none believer in New Year’s resolutions and only starting goals because it’s a New Year.

I actually started this health journey in 2020 and it came after some health news. Nothing too much to worry about but I knew it was time to get healthier. I realise though that it’s as much as being healthy in weight and healthy in mind too. We take so much time to make sure our outside is healthy; we often neglect our inside health. Usually, physical health and mental health go hand in hand. Often when I’m feeling my best mentally, I feel the best physically too. Which just proves how important both are.

Today I want to share some things I’m doing to be healthier in mind, body and soul this year.

BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE

Having an accountability partner is something I have never had before. Me and Shelly decided this year to get healthier together. And just by having that person there you can talk to about things and check in with has really been an encouragement to me. When you know someone else is counting on you, it makes it easier to stick to whatever it is you’re doing.

An accountability partner can be anyone, but it should be someone who you trust. Someone who is on the same path as you, and someone who knows what they’re talking about. It really helps you to build connections with new people too. Me and Shelly met through blogging, and we have become close friends who talk every day. She is a great support system and just what I need to keep me on track. Having an accountable friend is like having a support system in place, in case things go wrong. They are your insurance so to speak!

MAKING SMALL BUT POSITIVE CHANGES

Deciding to lead a healthier life doesn’t need to come with huge changes, they can be small but powerful. I have started to implement fasting days, where I do a fast overnight until lunch time. This has helped me so much in feeling less full and bloated. I have also been doing daily walks for 30 minutes each time after I finish work. 

They may be small but they can turn into big things. That 30-minute walk started out as a 10-minute walk and as time went on, I increased it to longer. Eventually, I’ll incorporate regular more strenuous exercise. But do you see how something like walking can start out small but develop into something bigger? Doing it this way will make you more likely to stick to it. Slow and steady wins the race!

TAKING TIME OUT FOR A HEALTHIER LIFE

Ever since the pandemic hit, I haven’t taken any time off of work. I’m working from home full time currently and never saw the need to take a significant amount of time off. Especially since I am not able to go on holiday or really do anything as we are still in lockdown in the UK. It will be a year this month since I took a solid week off of work. I realise the importance of it now, as it slowly has taken a toll on my body and my mental state.

Taking time out of work to just relax and switch off is something I encourage everyone to do. It’s important for your overall wellbeing. You will get to a point where you just can’t go anymore, and you don’t want to hit that wall. If you do, it will have a negative effect on other aspects of your life. 

How do you make healthier changes in your life?
Are you planning on being healthier in this new year?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic in the comment section! Please don’t forget to check out the post Shelly has written a great post on my blog. She has kindly provided 5 tips on how to get healthier this year. Please go and check it out! It’s a great read!

Olivia 
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