Sometimes better health starts much smaller than we think.

Wellness has gotten exhausting.

Apparently, we’re supposed to wake up at 5 a.m., meditate, exercise, drink something green, take a handful of supplements, eliminate everything delicious and somehow still get eight glorious hours of sleep.

No wonder people give up.

After years of studying natural health, I wish more people understood this:

Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to begin with doing everything right.

Start with the basics.

Hydrate early. Around 64 ounces of water throughout the day is a simple starting goal I often use, although everyone’s needs are different. Water needs can change with activity, climate and other factors, and we also get water from foods and other beverages.

And move.

Walk around the block. Stretch. Garden. Dance in the kitchen.

The body is meant to move, not sit.

Research backs up the value of starting small. The National Institutes of Health notes that some physical activity is better than none and encourages adults to move more and sit less.

That’s one of the ideas behind LivingMajik:

Better Choices Build Better Health.

Notice I didn’t say perfect choices.

There will be birthdays. Vacations. Stressful weeks. Days when dinner is whatever you can find.

That’s called being human.

Health isn’t a 30-day challenge. You’re going to live in your body for the rest of your life.

So forget changing everything.

What’s one better choice you can make today?

Start there.

— Rashelle Black, Board Certified Naturopath

CARE FOR THE BODY YOU LIVE IN
Part 2 of a five-part LivingMajik series.

Research & Further Reading

National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Health Tips for Adults

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Dietary Intake Levels for Water