It’s in our nature to honor Mother Earth’s goodness. We continuously strive to create an atmosphere of openness, intention, and wellness. It’s important that we as a community work toward making ourselves and others more healthy, and work toward a more holistic wellness too. Explore the habits we believe you should employ to nurture your body, your mind, and our shared Earth.
1. Get eight hours of sleep.
A good night’s sleep is crucial to your overall health and wellness. In fact, research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information has shown that people who sleep less than six hours a day are more likely to die prematurely than those who sleep a consistently healthy duration of 7 to 8 hours each night. Not only is sleep necessary for maintaining your overall health and immune system, it also supports your memory. Most of all, when you have a good night’s sleep, you simply feel better and have more energy.
How to make it a habit:
Try going to bed at the same time every night to establish a consistent sleep-wake cycle. Be sure to turn off the TV, put away your phone, and skip the caffeine at least four hours before bedtime.
2. Practice meal prepping.
With our busy schedules, it’s pretty difficult for the average person to go to work, stop by the grocery store, take care of their kids, and finally get around to dinner. Meal prepping, however, is a simple solution that can help you eat healthy while giving you more time to enjoy your evening at home. As posted by Harvard’s School of Public Health, meal prepping can help with weight control, reduced stress, and can contribute to an overall more nutritionally balanced diet.
How to make it a habit:
Try planning your meals out for a week. Go to the grocery store on Sunday and divide everything out for each day of the week. Prepare certain foods ahead of time (especially things that take a while to bake), and store in the refrigerator until dinner time. Once Taco Tuesday rolls around, all you’ll have to do is heat up your protein and add some salsa.
3. Drink more water.
Water is arguably the most important resource on our planet. Water helps keep your body’s temperature normal, it keeps you hydrated, and it allows your body to get rid of waste and toxins through urination and perspiration. The CDC doesn’t recommend any particular amount of water to drink daily, but it does suggest those in warmer climates, those who are more physically active, and anyone who is sick to drink more water, as your body requires it to stay healthy.
How to make it a habit:
Carry a water bottle with you at work, around the house, or keep one in the car. Plus, if you trade sodas and sugary drinks with water, you’ll cut out unwanted calories.
4. Take your vitamins.
Nutrition is everything. No matter your need, there’s likely a vitamin or supplement that can help. And many health-related problems arise from a lack of vitamins and nutrients your body requires. Instead of depriving your body, give it quality ingredients that are formulated for any health need.
The USDA recommends dietary guidelines include vitamins for certain groups of people. For example, those who are 50 years of age or older should consume Vitamins B12 and D, and those who are planning a pregnancy should consider Iron and Vitamin C.
How to make it a habit:
Set a daily reminder on your phone, or use a pill planner and place it near your alarm clock (or anywhere out in the open). A main challenge to any habit is actually remembering to do something.
5. Start exercising.
Besides losing weight, there are many advantages and health benefits that come with daily exercise. It can help with heart disease and can help with maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. The Mayo Clinic states regular exercise can help prevent or manage many health concerns such as type 2 diabetes, depression, arthritis and stroke.
How to make it a habit:
Not a fan of going to the gym? There are plenty of alternative exercises you can incorporate into your routine. Try taking a walk around the neighborhood each evening before it gets dark, or pick up a hobby like yoga, cycling, or rock climbing.
6. Recycle everything.
To live a holistically healthy lifestyle, you need to take care of yourself and your surroundings. One way to live sustainably is by recycling. The University of Alaska Fairbanks pointed out “recycling glass saves 1,300 pounds of sand, 410 pounds of soda ash, 380 pounds of limestone, and 160 pounds of feldspar from being [wasted].” From paper and plastic, to electronics and food, most things we use on a daily basis can be recycled (or upcycled) in some form or fashion.
How to make it a habit:
Purchase a recycling bin if your local waste management company or organization doesn’t provide one for you. If they don’t, you can collect your recyclables (cardboard, glass, plastic, and aluminum) in a closet or paper bag under your sink. Be sure to read labels to see what you can and cannot recycle. Shop at sustainable retailers and make a real, green impact in your community.
7. Stay humble.
One of New Chapter’s Formulation principles is to be open and stay humble. We are always transparent, and we welcome honestly from others. Anyone can follow this principle to ensure a global community of togetherness and peace. Of course, we don’t expect to solve world peace, but we do believe anyone can make a positive impact - even at the smallest level.
An article by Forbes pointed out humility improves one’s life in multiple ways. If you’re humble, you are more likely to maintain stronger personal and professional relationships, and you’re more likely to ask for help when you need it - which can be beneficial to an entire team (and not just you). Staying humble is, essentially, your good luck karma card.
How to make it a habit:
Put a note at your desk or change your computer’s desktop background to a motivational quote that inspires you to be mindful. Surround yourself with people who appreciate hard work and humility. Always tell the truth, even when it’s difficult. Humility can make you feel better, and make you a better person too.