A new year, a new start. That’s how we view the turn of the calendar, and in 2018 our goals should revolve around being healthy and living healthy. There a number of different ways you can improve the health of both your body and mind on a daily basis.

Mindfulness

Stress infects our lives every day. Whether through work, finances, or family, stress-related problems can take a devastating toll on our minds and our bodies. Mindfulness is the practice of awareness, our ability to be present in the moment without getting overwhelmed. It is an ancient meditation technique that is becoming a popular method to alleviate stress, worry, and anxiety. But in the over-crowded schedules of our daily lives, how can we find the time to practice mediation? Mindfulness doesn’t need to take long, and you don’t need any kind of special equipment. Even if you’re able to set aside five minutes each day to practice mindfulness, the benefits will be worth it.

Mindfulness is not about attempting a state of calm or quieting your mind. Mindfulness aims to have you pay attention, you can learn it at home or you can go on retreat, to the current moment without any sort of judgment. Be aware of these judgments, acknowledge they exist and then set them aside. If you feel your mind wandering, bring it back to the present moment. Practice being aware of your breathing, how your breathing actually works. Practicing these techniques for even a short amount of time each day will see your mind becoming clearer and your stresses not quite as powerful.

A Good Night’s Sleep Goes a Long Way

Sleep is the underrated healthy lifestyle. It’s probably one of the first things to go when your life becomes busy, and yet sleep is the single most important aspect of your life that can drastically improve your overall health. Sleep is meant to be restorative. Resting your body and mind allows you to collect yourself mentally and physically for the next day ahead. More often than not, however, a good sleep is an elusive partner. Certain lifestyle changes can help ensure that when your head hits the pillow, dreams will soon follow. First, ditch the caffeine at night. Caffeine can stay in your system for hours, and its consumption is one of the most common factors for people who can’t get to sleep right away. Keep an eye out on certain teas, as many contain caffeine. It may seem obvious to say that you shouldn’t be on a smart device or watch TV before bed, but most people don’t seem to realize that your electronics are stimulating your brain right before you try and sleep. To avoid temptation, make it a habit not to bring your device into the bedroom.

Exercise and Eat Well

How many times have we heard this? “Eat your fruits and vegetables and get lots of exercise if you want to live a healthy lifestyle”. Well, it’s said so often because it’s true. Fatty processed foods and a lack of exercise will guarantee an unhealthy lifestyle. You’ll feel run down, irritable and begin to lack self-confidence. Treat your body right, and it will return the favor in spades.