August is National Wellness Month. Wellness can be defined as “the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you’re thriving.” Wellness is achieved through physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and Avance Care can help with all! Our comprehensive services of primary care, preventive care, nutrition services, behavioral health services, and more, we work to make sure all of you is healthy. At Avance Care, we want to be your partner in achieving health and wellness. To kick off National Wellness Month, here are our top 5 ideas for habits to begin to implement so you can achieve full wellness!
- Hydrate every day – Water is largely responsible for your physical health! If you don’t have a good habit in place of hydrating sufficiently every day, we recommend starting with an achievable goal, and working your way up. If you have trouble remembering to drink water throughout the day, set an alarm or download an app to help you remember.
- Make time for family and friends – Social relationships contribute largely to your mental and emotional health. Make sure you’re spending time every day to interact and talk with your family and friends! This will not only provide health benefits for you individually, but catching up on a regular basis with your loved ones will contribute to your relational health as well.
- Stretch and move daily – Daily exercise and movement is widely beneficial in keeping you health, relieving stress, and preventing disease. Every day, try to get in some type of activity. Whether it’s just a 10 minute walk or an hour long workout, something is always better than nothing. A great way to incorporate movement can be a quick walk every few hours at work to give you a break from sitting at your desk. Another great way to move is to stretch every day. After sitting or working, different muscles in your body will get tight and hold onto stress. Stretching will help relieve tension, making you feel better both physically and mentally.
- Seek professional help – If you’re struggling with creating healthy habits for yourself or knowing what habits would be most beneficial for you, seek professional help! Whether it be a primary care provider to discuss long-term help tips, a registered dietitian to discuss nutrition habits, or a behavioral health therapist to discuss stress management, there are a variety of professionals available at Avance Care ready to assist you in creating sustainable habits that will benefit your long term health. To learn more about the different services available at Avance Care, visit here.
- Find an enjoyable hobby – Having a hobby or something you’re passionate about is crucial to supporting your mental health! Hobbies are great outlets for stress and can make help you relax and feel happy. If you’re experiencing stress from any of your circumstances, search for a hobby to channel your energy and passion into and to give you something to look forward to at the end of the day.
While there is a never-ending list of ways that you can promote and support wellness in your life, know that Avance Care is here to partner with you to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. To schedule an appointment with an Avance Care provider, visit here. To find a location near you, visit here.