As we move into winter, you may already be thinking about changes you want to introduce in the new year. However, if you’re looking to transform your health, there’s no sense in waiting for 2023 to begin this journey. After all, change is not brought around when you wait to introduce it - and 80% of New Year's resolutions fail anyway.

As a result, now is the perfect time to make positive changes in all aspects of your life, most particularly your health and well-being. This way, you’ll already be enjoying the results before the new year has even begun.

One way in which you can achieve this goal is by beginning to focus on self-care.

What is the link between health and self-care?

Making an effort to prioritize your happiness and well-being will bring in many positive results for your overall health. This is because it will encourage you to make sure your needs are met, whether you are fitting in an extra workout after work, or changing your diet.

Taking care of all aspects of your health

While you may not equate a visit to the doctor or a healthcare specialist as an act of self-care, there’s no better definition for it. After all, it can help ease any pain and discomfort you are feeling, while also ensuring you receive the treatment you deserve. As a result, now is the time to schedule any specialist appointments you may have been putting off, such as a visit to the podiatrist.

Talking about how you are feeling

Emotional expression is perhaps the most important act of self-care you can practice in your daily life. This is because, “when we fail to express our emotions, our brain can often go into the fight-or-flight state. This is a physical reaction to stress that sets off a chain of events throughout our bodies.” For example, those dealing with pent-up stress and anxiety are more likely to encounter problems with their heart or sleep interruptions. If you don’t feel comfortable expressing yourself with a close friend or family member, consider talking to a therapist. This is a great way to improve your health holistically.

Spending more time outdoors

If you’re looking to make self-care a daily habit, you can do so by ensuring you spend at least some time each day outdoors. Not only will this ensure you stay active and moving, but it can also help you find better mental clarity. For example, taking a short walk when you’re feeling stressed at work can help clear your mind, ensuring that you are more focused and positive when you return to your desk.

Participating in your favorite hobbies

Indulging in your favorite hobbies is an effective way to spend your free time, especially if you’re trying to improve your mental health. In fact, “research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression.” As a result, now is the perfect time to fall back in love with an old hobby or even try your hand at developing a new skill.

Gratitude & Granola Guide

This is the perfect season to focus on gratitude, and when paired with a healthy breakfast, it creates the perfect morning ritual to get you on track.

It's no surprise that gratitude can improve your mental health and overall outlook on life, but you might not know that it has many benefits for your physical health, as well. In this guide, I'll take you through six ways gratitude improves your health - and I'll leave you with some simple, healthy breakfast ideas to boot. Get my free guide!