My top 3 wellness hacks we can all benefit from

One of the most common questions I get asked as a lover of all things wellness is: “what’s the ONE THING I can do to be healthier/feel better/reach my wellness goals?” Sure, we all know it takes more than just ONE thing…there’s simply no one-size-fits-all magic bullet. We are complex creatures with very different needs, lifestyles, body compositions, histories, etc.

But…that being said, there are some things we could ALL use a bit more of in our lives, which over time (or sometimes almost immediately!) can have dramatic positive effects on our overall wellness. So, what are they? I figure we all already know we need to eat a healthy diet (whatever that means for our own unique body) and exercise our bodies regularly in a way that’s safe and effective. So, this list of my TOP 3 goes beyond diet and exercise.

If you wake up tomorrow and start doing any one of these things on a regular basis, you will absolutely experience greater wellness in both the short and long term. Listen up, you over-achievers out there. I know you’re tempted to go all in on all 3 at once. I mean, why not, right? Slow down, take each one, one at a time – you choose which one to focus on first. So here goes, in no particular order…MY TOP 3 WELLNESS HACKS:

SLEEP: This is often my number one recommendation to someone who asks me what they should do to be healthier. The person who I don’t know much about and says they’re already focusing on a healthy diet and exercise. Actually, I usually answer their question with my own question…”well, how’s your sleep?” This simple question often opens up a whole conversation on the duration, environment, challenges, and overall quality of their sleep.

Let’s be honest, sleep is NOT all about the numbers. 5-6 hours of sleep on you likely looks very different on me or on your best friend. And there are about a million (OK, I exaggerate, but there are a BUNCH) of factors that go into sleep QUALITY. How exactly do you know if you’re getting enough or the right kind of sleep? Do you wake up feeling rested? Do you have enough energy to get you through your day? Do you struggle to fall asleep, or stay asleep? These are all very important questions to explore further (I know a wonderful health coach who can help with that).

HYDRATION: Our bodies are made up of 50-75% WATER, depending on many factors such as age, gender, body composition, fitness level, etc. So, it should come as no surprise that in order to maintain good health, hydration is a HUGE piece of the puzzle. There are countless theories on how much or how often we should hydrate…everything from numbers of ounces per day to calculations based on body weight to just drink when you’re thirsty.

Here’s the tricky part, though. By the time we feel thirsty, our body has already lost about 2-3% of its water. On top of that, mental performance and physical coordination start to become impaired before thirst even kicks in, typically around 1% dehydration. So, we really do have to stay on top of our hydration!

KICK THE SUGAR HABIT: Yep, here we go…I saved the best for last. I used to worry about becoming labeled the “sugar nazi” or the “anti-sugar buzz-kill.” Or about being left off the invitation to the dessert parties. Not anymore. I’ve come to embrace it! Because if I can encourage…

• one parent to replace sugary kid snacks with nutritious, delicious options,
• one pre-diabetic to avoid medication and actually reverse (!) their diagnosis,
• one stressed out corporate executive to find alternative natural remedies for coping with looming deadlines,
• one busy mom to choose healthier ways to boost her energy and get through her day with ease…

…then I have accomplished my goal. My mission. My passion!

The severe detrimental effects that sugar has on our bodies are undeniable. Many choose to shrug it off, say it’s no big deal, pretend it’s much ado about nothing. But the incredible disservice and physical harm this mentality is doing to us, our children, our loved ones is truly heartbreaking to me.

The science is there to back it up. If you need those facts and data to convince you, get them. One book I highly recommend is Gary Taubes‘ “The Case Against Sugar.” Taubes argues that sugar is an addictive drug and is the cause of obesity and many health-related problems. If you need some compelling science to motivate you to reduce your sugar consumption, give it a read.

Well, there you have it – my 3 wellness hacks in a nutshell. Which one resonates most with you? What step will you take today to make positive changes in one of these areas? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. We’d love to be inspired by your ideas and determination!