It was the talk of town on social media that January was going to be a long month. Some jokingly said January was a whole year on its own. This is due to the fact that a lot of people spend their December salaries, bonuses and savings in December and early January, only to be left with a lot of bills and responsibilities, which usually includes rent cost, school fees for those who have children, general living cost, up keep and associated financial commitments. The journey to the end of January when they would probably receive salaries and pay off these bills, looks long and Herculean for many people. This has a way of affecting people’s mental and spiritual well-being.
Surprisingly, it is 2022, January came so fast and February even feels faster as it will end in a couple of days.
For many, it was a relieved goodbye to 2021, which, much like the year before, was marked by a seemingly never-ending global pandemic, lockdowns, movement controls and, ultimately, much time spent at home. But in many ways, 2021 opened our eyes to the importance of putting ourselves first and prioritising our physical, spiritual, and mental wellbeing.
Google search trends from last year showed that most of us were looking for ways to “heal”, with health and wellbeing-focused terms showing some of the highest spikes. This energy does not have to end just because the year did. What better way to begin 2022 than stronger, healthier, and on a better footing to face all challenges ahead?
The best part is that you can identify healthy goals and positive habits and it can begin at home. Here’s how.
Setting the foundation
Big fitness ambitions usually fall by the wayside within a month or so, not out of lack of good intentions, but because they are often too vague, too long term, too ambitious, or too hard to maintain. Thus, before you immediately hit the nearest gym or jump on the latest diet trend, remember that an excellent first step is getting the foundations right, even before you even head out the door!
Start understanding what health goals you’d like to achieve and list them down. More importantly, how realistic and achievable are these goals, and what short-term steps would you need to get there? Other points to consider include the possible challenges, whether external forces or your weaknesses and temptations, that could sabotage your mission.
Subsequently, what habits, tools, and practices will you need in your daily routine to help you achieve the changes you desire?
Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate!
It is no secret that water is essential for the body. It keeps us hydrated, maintains our body temperature, gets rid of waste, keeps our joints lubricated, and in short, ensures our body and its organs run like a well-oiled machine. Yet, the truth is, that most adults do not consume enough water in a day for a variety of reasons. Some get so wrapped up in the rat race they simply forget, while others find it hard to keep track of their water intake.
Yet some simply do not know how much water to drink in a day. The rule of thumb is 2.7 to 3.7 litres of fluids a day. Of course, this comes from water, beverages, and even food, which accounts for around 20% of our daily fluid intake. For a healthier start in 2022, ensure adequate daily intake of water.
If wellbeing is the name of the game, you can also take steps to ensure the water you consume is free from chemicals and pollutants. If safe bottled water is not an option, boiling water to remove disease-causing organisms and other matters is the next smart step. Preferably, ou can use a home water purifying system such as QNET’s HomePure Nova Water Filtration System. It is easy to install and runs tap water through nine layers of filtration, so the water you drink is 99.9999% free of bacteria and viruses, as well as microplastics and other fine sediments, chemicals, and heavy metals.
Food management
“You are what you eat” is a popular phrase, but, the sad reality is that ignorance or a lack of preparation can lead many down dangerous, hard to sustain, or yo-yo dieting trends in an attempt to eat clean and boost health.
It is vital to take cognisance of your exercise and health goals to determine what you need to do in terms of your food intake. Implementing sustainable meal habits, such as maintaining a plant-based diet, can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes – and guide you to achieving your goals for this year.
Creating and sustaining healthy food habits are also less daunting when you have company. Some businesses, such as QNET, champion meat-free, and sustainable policies in the office – making it easier for employees to begin their journey to better health and wellbeing through a collective movement.
QNET also has an innovative weight management programme — BELITE123 — that helps maintain metabolism, suppress hunger, detox the body, and build immunity in a simple three-part step that’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Relying on a host of natural ingredients such as green tea, berries, African mango, and peppermint, BELITE123 also improves gut health and the body’s cholesterol levels. Other healthy diets to consider could be the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, or even Paleo.
The main tip is to do your research first and ensure the diet you pick aligns with your individual needs, wants, and lifestyle. Always do regular checks with doctors or nutritionists to make sure you’re keeping healthy.
Healthy air, healthy mind and body
Apart from the food we eat and the water we drink, we shouldn’t neglect the air we breathe.
The problem is, with smog, fossil fuel and greenhouse gasses, virtually all of us are subjected to any number of air pollutants the moment we step out the door.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nine out of 10 people breathe in high pollution levels. Meanwhile, up to seven million people die each year prematurely due to outdoor and household air pollution. While we have little control over the ambient or outdoor air, we can control the air in our homes. One easy way is to invest in suitable indoor plants.
Not only do they do wonders to spruce up the home base, but plants like Philodendrons and Peace Lilies can also remove spores, harmful chemicals and more, which will help your lungs, your sleep and your overall wellbeing.
And then, there are air purifiers like HomePure Zayn, which removes most indoor pollutants and allergens. HomePure Zayn uses electrostatic, UV light, and ultra-plasma ion filter technology to rid the indoor air of electromagnetic fields generated by the home devices. The result? Cleaner, recharged air throughout the day for maximum benefit.
In the end, all this may seem like a lot of little steps just to get started.
But these little steps would ensure you begin the year on a giant, solid and healthier footing. Why? So you can hit your goals with the right mindset, structure and better discipline, which would ultimately ensure you stick the landing for more fulfilling results.
Published articles:
Ghana:
Ghanewsonline.com.gh
Business Week Ghana
Peace FM Online
Sierra Leone:
The Calabash
The Gleaner
