5 Ways to Recharge and Refresh

Simplify Your Routines

Morning and evenings can be difficult for families. Trying to get multiple people, including yourself to your morning destination can prove challenging. Looking at where you are falling short in time in the morning and adjusting your routine or changing it all together can help to streamline your morning. Prepping lunch right after evening chores and packing backpacks at night can help to save tons of time in the morning. Likewise, looking at where you are thin on time in the evening and tweaking things like doing homework, or getting the children to bed ½ hour earlier to accommodate for bedtime stories, the preverbal glass of water, and the monster in the closet. Remember it is the small consistent changes that win the race.

Eat Healthier

Often we equate eating healthy to being on a diet where we feel starved. This is far from the truth. Eating healthier can be as simple as choosing the right foods that provide your body the nutrients that it needs. Substituting unhealthy food  for healthier food is as simple as deciding to have a baked potato with dinner instead of fried fries, or satisfying your taste for sugar with fruit.

Get Moving

Want more energy? Get moving.  Physical activity increases your heart rate and gets your blood flowing, which in return increases endorphins in your body. Exercise increases the amount of energy you have and also increases your feel good hormones, called endorphins.  Moderate to light weight exercise, such as a brisk walk will get you moving easily, and will help your heart and increase your emotional well-being overall.

Unplug

Have you ever tracked how much time you spend on your phone, tablet, or computer? It can really be a thief a time if we are not careful. An intention of jumping on social media for 15 minutes can turn into 1 ½ hours.  It can also rob you of those beautiful daily moments of connecting with your family. Take time to unplug from your electronics and plug into yourself and your family.

Invest In Yourself

There always seems like there is so much to do. It is very easy to put yourself in last place. Unfortunately, this can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. Show yourself some love by learning a new skill, developing yourself professionally, or simply carving out 30 minutes for yourself in the morning and in the evenings to start and end your day on a positive note.

 

Mental Health and Wellness Advocate

Benita L. Thornhill, MA, LPCA, LCASA is the spouse of a former Naval Surface Warfare Officer. She is the owner of Coastal Carolina Wellness Connection in Jacksonville, NC.  She works with active duty military, veterans and their families.  If you have any questions or need guidance, please email me here.