Don't waste time and money on trendy wellness hacks. Try these things that actually work

Living Well Made Simple #

It’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends and promises of life-changing products or hacks. However, rather than constantly chasing after the next big thing, experts recommend focusing on incorporating long-term wellness strategies into your daily routine.

Creating good habits and establishing a consistent routine can be key to making lasting changes. By automating certain behaviors and making them a part of your regular schedule, you can free up mental space for problem-solving and prioritize more important thoughts.

For example, developing a bedtime routine can improve sleep quality. Just like babies and young children have specific rituals that signal it’s time to sleep, creating a routine as an adult can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

Repeating actions to form habits can be achieved through cue-based plans. Instead of setting a vague goal like “studying Spanish for 30 minutes, five days a week,” a more effective habit-forming strategy would be to create a detailed plan tied to a specific cue, such as “Every workday after my last meeting, I’ll spend 30 minutes studying Spanish in my office.”

Another technique to consider is “temptation bundling.” This involves pairing an indulgence with a goal. For example, you can allow yourself to watch your favorite TV shows only while exercising. This way, you’ll not only enjoy your favorite entertainment but also find yourself working out for longer without feeling it’s a chore.

When it comes to making significant long-term changes, it’s important to focus on fundamental habits. Instead of fixating on superficial aspects like bubble baths or trendy diets, examine your relationship with food. Learning to listen to your body’s hunger and satiety cues and eliminating shame around eating can lead to more sustainable and empowered choices.

Evaluating alcohol consumption is another crucial habit to address. While moderate drinking is defined as two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less for women, it’s worth considering the impact on heart health and overall well-being. Making changes to drinking routines or taking sobriety challenges can have positive social, emotional, and psychological effects.

Finally, prioritizing friendships is essential for both emotional and physical health. Building strong connections takes time and effort. It has been found that it takes around 90 hours spent together to consider someone a friend and over 200 hours to develop a close emotional connection. To foster friendships, carve out time in your busy schedule and commit to recurring activities.

Improving wellness is a process that requires taking manageable steps rather than attempting a complete life overhaul. By incorporating these habits into your routine, you can make lasting changes for a healthier and more fulfilling life.