In our blog posts, we've often spoken about well-being, fitness, and nutrition – from discussing World Mental Health Day to survive winter blues to exercises you can do in front of the television to nutrition tips decoded. Well-being is vital to ensure we have plenty of rest and don't get burnt out, which can often be achieved by maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. This equilibrium is achieved through a combination of healthy habits that encompass physical fitness, balanced nutrition, and mental well-being. Let's explore how to maintain life's balance.
Physical fitness: the foundation of wellness
Physical fitness is the cornerstone of a healthy life. It's all about how well we can move. It doesn't necessarily mean your body fat ratio or if you can see your abs. Can you comfortably walk up the stairs without getting breathless, touch your toes or bend and move in ways you want to move? Regular exercise provides numerous benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, increased strength and flexibility, and a boost in mood.
When choosing exercises, you may want to do a mix of aerobic exercises, strength training, and flexibility work. This not only keeps your workouts interesting but also ensures that you're targeting various aspects of fitness.
No matter what you do, the best way to see benefits is just being consistent. Make exercise a regular part of your routine, whether it's daily walks, weekly gym sessions, or other activities you enjoy. That can mean simply dancing for five minutes by your kettle when you're making your morning coffee or tea if that's all you have energy for that day. Another plus is that exercise makes us feel warmer, which is a fab idea at a time when we're experiencing record-high energy tariffs in the UK; I know plenty of folks who dance in front of YouTube each day to fight off the morning chill.
Set realistic goals. You might not become an Arnold Schwarzenegger-level bodybuilder in a month but you can establish achievable fitness goals that motivate you to stay active. These could include running a certain distance, lifting a specific weight, or mastering a new yoga pose. Again, keep the goals small and realistic and build them incrementally. There's no timescale to keep.
But most of all, listen to your body. Pay attention to your body's signals. Rest when needed, and be mindful of any pain or discomfort, adjusting your workout accordingly. Sometimes, you'll just need a pyjama day and to skip the workout, curl up with a book or binge-watch your fave show on Netflix – and that's okay. Life's about balance.
Balanced nutrition: fueling your body
Nutrition plays a fundamental role in our overall well-being. A balanced diet provides the necessary nutrients for our body to function optimally. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming, especially if you follow influencers and fit-fluencers, if they eat items that you don't consider everyday food items such as spelt, sprouted grains, chia seeds, and whatever other ingredients most of us don't have on hand in the pantry. But there are lots of nutritious healthy foods in basic cupboard staples such as oats, lentils, chickpeas, black beans, potatoes, fruits and vegetables that can easily be found anywhere, and so on. Foodstuffs like half a cup of black beans has 9 grams of fibre, which is almost half of a 25-30 grams of your fibre goal per day.
Keep in mind that to get the best micronutrients you want variety and balance. Consume a wide variety of gut-healthy foods, fruits, veggies, lean protein, and healthy fats.
Make sure to stay adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Oh, and on the subject of water, it is worth noting that in Chinese medicine, it is believed that drinking room-temperature water is healthier for your spleen and immunity than chilled water. Proper hydration is essential for various bodily functions, including digestion and cognition. Even though water is best, any drink does count towards hydration, even a cup of tea or coffee, so just drink something (but preferably not a G&T, at least not for hydration purposes).
Limit processed foods, especially sugary foods and opt for whole foods where possible, but you know what? Sometimes you gotta eat the cake, so just have the cake! It's about balance.
Mental well-being: the mind-body connection
Mental well-being is intrinsically connected to physical health. Maintaining a positive and resilient mindset is essential for a balanced life. Consider the following practices for nurturing your mental well-being.
Most people have heard of mindfulness and meditation so you can incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your daily routine to reduce stress and anxiety and improve focus.
Prioritise quality sleep to allow your mind to rest and rejuvenate. Sleep is crucial for cognitive function and emotional regulation. Of course, when we have looming work deadlines or something worrying us, it's sometimes difficult to sleep.
If you ever need support, don't hesitate to reach out. Whether through friends, family, or professionals, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Create a work-life balance that allows you time for relaxation and hobbies. Set boundaries to protect your mental and emotional well-being.
The takeaways
Sometimes with all the things we have to do in a day, if you don't manage to hit the fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being goals, it can feel like a failure, but remember it takes time to build healthy habits and it's a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself and allow room for adjustments along the way. The path to a balanced life is a personal one, and by making small, sustainable changes, you can steadily progress toward a state of well-being that aligns with your unique needs and aspirations.
Let us know on Tria Beauty UK's Facebook or Instagram how you balance fitness, nutrition, and well-being in your daily life, better still, tag us – we love a good tag!