Page 96 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2021

HEALTHY LIVING
story by Victoria Snyder
SAYING GOODBYE TO 2020 AND HELLO TO A FRESH START
2020 was a year of turmoil, devastation and murder hornets. Basically, utter chaos. No matter who you are, you have felt the e ects of the last year. Now 2020 is over, and we can start fresh in 2021.
Chances are, you have probably not been taking as good care of yourself as you should be – whether that be your physical health or mental health. You may have made resolutions regarding your health, and you may not have been able to keep up with them. And that’s okay! Let’s go over a few habits that may come in handy in the new year to help create a newer, healthier you.
Physical health, now more than ever, is extremely important. Even if you are working from home, there are things you can do to stay healthy. Take a walk around your neighborhood once a day. Add salads to your mealtimes. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips when you want a snack, nd some healthier solutions, like fruits and vegetables. Get as much sleep as you can every night – the closer to eight hours, the better!
Mental health is something that almost everybody puts on the back burner. However, it is just as important as physical health – if not more so. Take some time out of every day to talk with friends or family and do some self-care. In times where we may be feeling more isolated than ever, it is important to keep up with our
people, even virtually. Schedule daily or weekly video chat times to make sure that you are staying social.
For some people, self-care may overlap with what you do for your physical health – going on a walk, doing some yoga. For others, this may look like taking a bath, reading a book, or watching some TV. You are not being unproductive; instead, you are giving yourself the time
o to make sure you can continue working hard
and that you don’t burn out. There is no right or wrong way to do self-care – it’s all about helping you relax.
With 2020 gone, 2021 is a chance
to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. Use the new year to your advantage by trying to implement healthier habits into your life.
96 | January 2021
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