6 Healthy, Effective Habits to Bring into 2023
By Holistic Nutritionist Stephanie Robinson
The start of a new year can often put a lot of pressure on us to set the most ambitious, life-changing goals. Now is a great time to reflect on your past year and evaluate what you want to maintain and let go of in order to become the best version of yourself. Let go of the comparison and focus on who you’re becoming and everything you've accomplished. This year is all about setting small, attainable, sustainable habits that you will be able to maintain.
So often, we see people setting large goals. While amazing in theory, frequently this leaves us unhappy, discouraged, and feeling like a failure.
I see this frequently when it comes to wellness and nutrition. Having an "all or nothing" mindset makes it very challenging to maintain balance, enjoy life, see long-term results, and find happiness.
Here are some of my most effective healthy habits you can start incorporating today to start becoming your best self this year:
1. Incorporating daily movement
This doesn’t have to look like a one-hour HIIT workout. Some days may look like a 15-minute stretch, a 20-minute walk, a 30-minute yoga session, or your favourite workout class with friends. Any movement is positive.
Steph’s tip: schedule in your movement, make it a priority, and do something you genuinely enjoy. Get a workout buddy and book a weekly workout class; this way, you will be surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded individuals. A win-win!
2. Focusing on blood sugar-balancing meals
Basing your meals on healthy fat, protein, fiber, and greens will set you up for success. This method of eating will provide you with sustainable energy, lower levels of inflammation, improved focus and mood, improved digestion, reduced cravings and irritability, and will balance out your blood sugar. We are not talking about restricting ourselves. We are talking about adding in energizing, vitamin-packed, and nourishing foods.
Steph’s tip: Start your day with a savoury breakfast. How you nourish your body in the morning will determine how you feel and perform for the rest of the day. Incorporating Daily Nourish throughout the day is an easy tangible way to kick-start your goals. Daily Nourish is a powerhouse superfood blend that contains 10 g protein, 11 g fiber, and 10 g of healthy fats – making it an ideal add-in for balanced blood sugar. Made with 12 organic superfoods, it’s also rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and potassium.
CINNAMONY APPLE PIE YOGURT BOWL RECIPE
serves two people
Ingredients:
- ½ cup coconut yogurt
- 1 serving nomz Daily Nourish
- ¼ cup cooked apples
- 1 tbsp nomz hazelnut butter
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
Directions:
- Dice apples. Coat with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of pink salt. Cook on the stovetop on medium-low heat for 5–10 minutes, until warm and soft.
- In a bowl, place coconut yogurt, warm apples, hazelnut butter, and Daily Nourish. Top with extra cinnamon if you wish. Enjoy x
3. Cook more meals at home
2023 is the year of home-cooked meals and sharing meals at home with friends. To begin with, cooking can be very therapeutic. If you dislike cooking, start small and with something simple. If you stick with it, you will undoubtedly improve and, as a result, enjoy it more. Secondly, it is a much more cost-effective way of fueling your body than eating out or ordering in. Lastly, you have much more control over what you’re fueling your body with.
Steph’s tip: Pick a day of the week and plan out your meals, grocery shop, and clean your space (specifically your fridge and pantry).
4. 20 minutes daily of self-care
Life can be so busy, stressful, and challenging. Taking 20 minutes to yourself can really reset how you’re feeling. Checking in with yourself is super important. This can look like a face mask, a bath, legs up on the wall for lymphatic drainage, a sauna session, reading a book, breath work, journaling, or whatever makes you happy, de-stress and re-energized.
Steph’s tip: make this non-negotiable. Schedule it in and practice it daily.
5. Daily sunlight and fresh air
Let’s talk about all-natural, free mood boosters. Exposing your face and body to sunlight can make a world of difference. If you’re frequently working from home in an office, whatever it may be, this will make you feel incredible.
Steph’s tip: Try getting outside in the morning or when you feel an afternoon crash coming. It's a natural mood and energy booster.
6. Not overdoing caffeine
Caffeine can be great if done right. First off, no one should be reliant on caffeine for daily energy. The way you’re consuming coffee is also a key factor we want to create healthier habits with. It is especially important for women to be mindful of their coffee consumption to maintain healthy hormones and cortisol levels. Coffee can also be a contributing factor to the health of our gut microbiome. Due to coffee being so acidic, having it on an empty stomach can be very harsh on your system. Coffee on an empty stomach can spike your cortisol and leave you with unstable energy, feeling jittery, moody, stressed, and anxious.
Steph’s tip: Avoid coffee on an empty stomach; pair it with food or have it after food. Leave the sugary creamers and milks out.
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