When it comes down to it, we all want a lot of the same things: more energy, a brighter outlook, and maybe clearer skin. These simple things allow us a strong foundation in order to feel good and do the daily work needed to further our goals. For us, beauty truly comes from within: taking care of ourselves so we can achieve our dreams and love the people around us better. Looking radiant as a result is only a plus!
We’ve always been told: get more sleep, drink more water, eat your fruits and veggies, move your body. These are tried-and-true rules of thumb; so then why do we have such a hard time listening? We believe understanding a little more about why these are good practices provides good motivation, while recognizing that it’s a personal road for every individual: any improvement anywhere is a great accomplishment.
Here we offer you some quick tips on how to get on the path to the best version of yourself:
Respect your sleep, respect your brain:
Getting 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night doesn’t just allow our bodies to function more sharply the next day: it is both nutritional and detoxing. While eating well helps detox the body, sleeping well has been found to help detox the brain, removing waste products and bad chemicals that accumulate in our brains during waking life. A buildup of these toxins would make us more prone to illness. So while we to tend to believe that we’d get more done if we cut some sleep, the opposite is true: sleep helps us work better because it actively affects brain health and how well we think.
For easier transition into sleep: put your phone down and reach for a book instead to reduce stress levels.
For better sleep: Create a darker, colder, quieter environment.
More water=fewer sugar cravings, happier organs, better circulation:
We’ve all been told to drink more water, but how much is enough? Shouldn’t it be different for everyone because we’re all different? Simply divide your weight in pounds, then divide that number by two: that’s your daily recommendation in ounces. So how do you keep track of this? Investing in a dedicated water bottle you like is the easiest way to keep track of this. For example, if you’re 130 pounds, you’ll want to have about 65 ounces of water every day. If you have a 17 oz. bottle, you’ll want to have a little less than 4 bottles a day.
If regular water-drinking does not come naturally to you, ease your way into it with a squeeze of lemon into each glass or start by giving yourself only a fraction of juice, then diluting the rest with water.
Once you start drinking enough water throughout the day and making it your primary liquid, something strange will happen: you'll realize that you're less thirsty and less prone to go for the sugary drinks, which seem really appealing when you're dehydrated.
Simpler whole foods for a whole you:
When you consume simpler, fresher foods with fewer ingredients, you will feel the boost within weeks, and your body will thank you. The simple truth is that uncomplicated and unprocessed foods are easier for our bodies to process. When you eat more of these whole foods, you’ll leave less room for impulse eats (and all their empty calories).
Did you know, for instance, that about 70% of our sodium comes from processed food and restaurant meals? By eliminating or reducing the amount of processed food we eat, we greatly reduce much of that sodium (and other mysterious ingredients) intake--without even really trying!
Overall, there is still sometimes confusion as to what is really good for us. For instance, should we or should we not drink milk? Questions like this, and nearly all “healthy food” questions, are answered in this very helpful, insightful article in a Q & A format with Dr. David L. Katz.
What we've learned, in general, is that when you take care of your body, your body takes care of you. If you are eating a balanced variety of whole foods, you don't need fad diets and juice cleanses because your body's healthy liver and
Skin is always in and it’s your largest organ:
If it’s within your budget, invest in personal products of the natural variety. If you have a hard time thinking about all the hard ingredients of your lotions, maybe it’s time to reevaluate what you’ve been applying to your skin. Just as we aim to consume simpler whole foods, we also aim for natural moisturizers with fewer ingredients (sometimes only one!). For instance, sweet almond oil provides great moisture for those with sensitive or dry skin, while coconut oil is a natural provider of SPF.
This same thinking can be applied to the clothes we wear closest to the skin. Whenever possible, invest in natural fibers: cotton, silk, linen, hemp, wool, or cashmere. We like cotton and linen as more accessible fabrics for everyday breathability and movement.
You were made to move:
Many of us have a difficult time finding the time and resources for a regular gym schedule. For those who do, all the power to you. For those of us who don't, there are plenty of other simple ways to integrate more movement into our daily lives. The simplest, easiest and most powerful way to start is to walk: everywhere and often. Start with at least 15 minute sessions, then gradually walk farther and faster until you're walking for at least 30-45 minutes most days of the week. Outside of your daily walking sessions, find any and every excuse to move your body more: use the stairs, park your car farther away, go outside during your lunch. Walk like you mean it.
Among the powerful benefits of simple yet purposeful walking: it keeps you slim, helps balance your cholesterol levels, keeps your bones strong, maintains your blood pressure, and heightens your mood. There is also reason to believe that it's linked to improve memory and the resistance of age-related memory loss.
With so many benefits and so many ways to mix up your scenic routes, we can't think of any reason why power walking shouldn't be a part of the weekly regimen.
*
*
*
At the end of the day, every person’s path is their own because every person’s body and individual needs are different. There may be a general health roadmap, but is no definitive one-size-fits-all answer, which is why it's best, as with everything, to personalize your plan to fit your unique needs.
Personalization, after all, is part of our process. Case in point: we love our wooden timepieces for their natural, one-of-a-kind character, but we offer you a wide wood variety, the option to customize to taste, and endless ways to tell a story (in 8 words or less).
Have a story you'd love to share? We invite you to join our TreeHut Engraved Stories community on Facebook and to follow us on our usual channels: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Youtube!
