A Happy & Healthy New Year Starts Now
The New Year is a time when everyone examines lifestyle choices and sets goals for being their best selves. It’s a tall order and one that deserves a great deal of thought. This month we’re focusing on a happy and healthy New Year by reaffirming lifestyle choices that will set you on the right path. From exercise, diet, socialization, and relaxation, to scheduling less, sleeping more and being involved in causes and activities that energize you, we are hitting on all the areas of your holistic health. Plus, we’re sharing the bras that will help you achieve your happy and healthy New Year goals.
Eat (and Drink) Smart for Your Health
Diet was once a four-letter word with bad connotations. But with all the amazing research on the critical benefits of a healthy diet, along with new and exciting ways to make your food taste scrumptious, your diet should bring you much delight. Not only does your healthy diet fuel your day with energy, it can also make you feel better from a wellness perspective and help prevent numerous illnesses, conditions and diseases. That’s because foods rich in antioxidants and other phenomenal nutrients combat free radicals that cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and weaken cells leaving your body more susceptible to deterioration.
So what should you eat on a regular basis? Antioxidant-rich foods include berries, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, kale, and cabbage), coffee, tea, and dark chocolate. Also reach for nutrient-packed and low-sugar carbohydrates such as whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice, and oatmeal. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt are great probiotics for your digestive and immune systems, plus low-fat dairy helps build calcium stores. Don’t forget omega-3s and other essential fatty acids from oils, nuts, nut butters and fish including salmon and sardines.
Drinking water is also crucial to hydrate your organs, tissues and cells. Limit alcohol and excessive caffeine and skip sugary drinks altogether. Drinking plenty of water can also reduce caloric consumption because your body feels satiated, not to mention make your skin look radiant.
Remember, your food should taste great and is meant to be appreciated for nutritional value, health, wellness and flavor. If you’re one who focuses on food or tends to eat for comfort, take the extra time to look for recipes that suit your palate. Desserts made with low-sugar and healthy substitutes can be just as satisfying. Consider using maple syrup, honey, fruit, and cinnamon to help sweeten your food. Replace saturated fatty oils with healthy oils like olive oil, grapeseed oil, or flax seed oil. And use dark chocolate, dried fruit, beans and nuts to add flare and flavor to food.
What to Wear: Weekly meal prep is a great way to ensure you’re ready to eat healthy during your busy week. Take time on the weekend to chop veggies, cook a few items, and portion snacks. You can do this in the comfort of a bralette, leggings and your favorite t-shirt.
Work in Your Workouts
Exercise doesn’t have to consume your life to reap its benefits. Try to schedule time for fitness activities you enjoy, such as spin classes, Zumba, power-walking, or yoga. In between, make an extra effort to be active during your regular day. The age-old recommendations of taking stairs, parking your car further away, and riding your bike rather than driving when possible are still good ones. To combat sedentary tendencies and desk jobs, a new “movement” of standing more often, or at least getting up for a walking break every hour, proves to be an effective health measure. Also, participate in sports that interest you and add some power to your everyday activities, such as yardwork and housecleaning.
Exercise is good for every inch of your body, including your mental and emotional wellness. Physical activity releases “feel good” brain chemicals that can give your day a big boost. And studies show people who exercise on a regular basis are generally happier.
What to Wear: Gear up for physical activities with a breathable supportive sports bra, like The Serena (full figure sports bra) or The Danika (cotton nursing sports bra), and a pair of athletic leggings like our control high-waist leggings.
Relax Your Way
Packing your schedule with every last thing you want to do (or worse, what others want you to do) can be very taxing on your mental, physical, and emotional state. Know that saying “no” is OK for the sake of your own sanity. Prioritize what is important including ways to relax that actually calm your body and brain. For some that may be meditation, listening to music, or enjoying creative outlets, while others may prefer reading, absorbing nature, participating in a hobby, or spending time with their significant other. Relaxation is critical to holistic wellness because it removes you from the hustle and bustle of normal life and forces you to hit refresh.
What to Wear: Depending on your selected activity, a leisure bra may be the best fit for relaxation. Leisure styles allow maximum flexibility while still offering gentle support and ultimate comfortability. Plus, with a variety of styles in colors and patterns that appeal to every woman, you’ll be able to express your personal sense of fashion all the while.
Sleep is Vital
It may go without saying, but we’ll say it anyways: sleep is an essential time of restoration and rejuvenation for your body and brain. While it may feel like you’re shutting down, your cells are actually working hard in a process of restoration, renewal, and regrowth. Your brain is filtering through millions of pieces of information it received during your day. This important development is designed to help you refresh for a new day of strength, concentration, activity and cognition. Getting enough sleep can even make you a better decision maker and support hormonal balance.
What to Wear: Sleep bras are a great way to help ensure a restful night’s sleep. Without back clasps, you can sleep in any position with comfort, and sleep bras gently support to prevent shifting and sagging during sleep. Nursing moms can easily breastfeed at night in a sleep bra or a nursing tank top.
Socialize and Activate
You may be surprised to know that connecting with stimulating people and causes that inspire you boost your mental and physical health and wellness. Numerous studies point to improved health and longevity among those who are consistently socially active, connected to friends and family, and participate in their community or causes that make a difference in their world. Even people in poor physical health tend to live longer if they engage socially with others, according to research.
What to Wear: Look and feel your best when heading out to be social and get involved. The best way to do that is dressing in comfortable, supportive and stylish bras. Our t-shirt bras create a polished finish to almost any outfit.
Sources: Women’s Health, Self, and NY Times