Your well-being is essential to living a happy and healthy life. When it is out of balance, it shows. Sometimes things happen that are beyond your control. Other times, you are a direct factor in whatever is causing you stress. Either way, you can play a part in moving your life in a new direction to help overcome the factors that are affecting your health, comfort, and happiness. If you are interested in learning more, please continue reading.
Schedule an appointment with a hearing specialist if you experience hearing loss.
Losing your hearing is not the end of everything, even though you might feel defeated in the aftermath of a diagnosis. The important next step is to seek the care of a qualified audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. They are trained to guide you on your next steps to help you live life to the fullest.
Your provider will discuss the factors regarding your diagnosis, such as any potential genetic links to hearing loss or other things that may have played a part in your hearing loss. They will explain hearing aids and the options you have available to help you preserve or regain your hearing. Today’s hearing aids are better than ever.
Talk with your boss if you are overworked.
Sometimes, your work can take a significant toll on your overall health and well-being. Long hours, combined with even longer commutes, and too much time missing family events and the special moments in life can really add up. If your boss has you working overtime or constantly emails and texts during your personal time with the expectation that you respond immediately, it is time to have a conversation.
Presuming your boss will be reasonable, schedule a meeting to discuss your current work hours and set clear boundaries regarding your personal time. If you feel you will not be respected or heard, consider speaking with your Human Resources Department or union representative first. They may be able to offer guidance, intervene on your behalf, or attend the meeting with you.
Move your body more when you do not have time to exercise.
Physical movement is an essential component of how you feel every day. If you never seem to have any time in your day to exercise, now is the time to do something about it. The good thing is that you do not have to go all in at once. You can start slow, set a goal, and work your way up to it.
Begin incorporating more movement into your life by changing small things that you do each day. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Park at the end of the parking lot instead of right next to the door. Get up during the commercials when you are watching a show. Do a chore in your home and sprinkle in squats, push-ups, or sit-ups. Slowly work your way up to adding more movement and eventually a longer exercise session into your schedule. Meet up with your friends and go for a walk or try a fitness class.
Incorporate more fluids into your day when you do not think you can.
Hydration is essential for every part of your body. From the tiny cells within it to your skin, your entire body requires adequate hydration to function properly and help you look good. An additional point to note is that water is also a significant factor in helping your cognitive function. Without it, you may experience brain fog or worse.
Drinking more water is a chore for some people. If that is your experience, try filling up a water bottle at home in the morning and carry it around with you. Set reminders at specific intervals throughout the day to help you remember to take a sip or two. You can also incorporate water-rich foods into your daily meals. Try adding watermelon, cantaloupe, berries, cucumbers, soup, and lettuce greens into your diet to increase your fluid intake.
Add healthy foods to your diet if you are eating poorly.
Eating poorly has a significantly negative effect on your overall health. A diet that consists of fast food meals, ultra-processed chips, and carbonated beverages such as soda is not going to leave you feeling well at all. Instead, you will feel sluggish and devoid of energy. You also might feel excessively full and uncomfortable after eating.
You can avoid this by adding healthier foods and ingredients to your meals each day. It is important to note that you do not have to completely change the way you eat if that is not sustainable for you. Strive to choose more healthy than unhealthy foods, but also continue to live your life and enjoy your favorites. Simply work to eat the less nutritious choices in moderation. Add more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to your diet while reducing how often you are eating processed foods and frequenting fast food establishments.
Reframe your thoughts when negativity is an issue for you.
If you find yourself stuck in a spiral of negativity, you can and should do something about it. Negative thoughts keep you down and have a way of preventing you from experiencing joy or keeping you overly critical of other people and activities around you.
Work to reframe your negative thoughts through cognitive restructuring. You can turn those thoughts into positive ones through the power of flipping the script regarding what you are thinking. That does not mean you should embrace toxic positivity. No. When things are bad, you can acknowledge that, sit in the moment, and then figure out a path forward. In this case, when you are constantly stuck in negativity, reframing your thoughts will have a powerful and positive effect on your general outlook.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
Take good care of yourself and make strides to improve your quality of life. By focusing on the power you have to overcome factors that directly or indirectly affect your well-being, you can make positive changes and start living a better life for yourself.
Top Photo by Anastasia Leyko:
