This week we are exploring one aspect of every health and wellness journey that is often overlooked, despite being critically important! Over the past few weeks we’ve taken a deeper dive into each of the steps outlined at the start of this month’s blog series, A Guide to Making (and Keeping) a New Year’s Resolution to Improve Your Health. We’ve already worked through the first two steps (Find a Doctor You Can Trust Who Cares About You and Fuel Your Body with a Balanced Diet and Exercise), and are going to close out the series with the last (but not the least) of the three: Commit to Self-Care.
The final part of this series is all about you, and how you can commit to showing your mind and body the love they deserve! We know how crazy day-to-day life can be, but we also know that a little mindfulness can go a long way to combat everyday stressors. With so many options available to bring us into the present, we know that there is something for everyone here. Whether it's meditation, spending more time in nature, reading, or building a better bedtime routine, it's always important to have an "off switch" you can rely on.
Be Mindful
If you’ve wanted to meditate, but haven’t known how, Buddhify, Calm and Headspace are all excellent apps for guided meditation. We know that meditation can initially seem intimidating or time consuming, but can assure you that the investment in yourself is every bit worth it. If you find it hard to incorporate this practice into your daily routine, you can always start by using post-it notes on your bathroom mirror or refrigerator until you are able to make a habit of it. A little reminder never hurt!
Spend Time Outside
Another wonderful way to tap into the present is to connect with nature. We are fortunate to live on an island that is rich in natural resources. Even in an urban area such as San Juan we have access to beaches, parks and large green spaces, and there’s so much more available to us right outside the city. Spending time outdoors positively impacts not only our minds, but also our bodies - seriously, nature is an amazing immune booster!
Tune Out Technology
While technology can make everyday life convenient, it can also be a big distraction and is undeniably responsible for much of our misspent time. The next time you want to entertain yourself in a more balanced way, we recommend opting for a good old-fashioned book. Taking time to read something (offline) can be especially helpful for those who have trouble falling asleep at night, and is a much healthier way to wind down, compared to mindlessly scrolling through one’s phone or watching something on TV.
Rest Well
Speaking of winding down, one thing almost everyone can do better these days is build a better bedtime routine. While turning off technology is a great start, there are quite a few other things that come into play when considering one's sleep hygiene. Exercise can be very beneficial for burning off excess energy and helping you get a good night's rest, but you want to make sure to complete any physical activity a minimum of two hours before your bedtime. Creating an ideal sleep environment with soft bedding, minimal light and noise, and the right temperature can make a huge difference in how you sleep, and how rested you feel when you wake up. And since most of us probably get to sleep a bit later than we intend to, setting an alarm or using the "bedtime" function on your phone can be a very helpful way to remind you that it's time to start making your way to bed. There are so many ways to improve your sleep, and considering we dedicate a good portion of our day to it, it makes sense that we should all get the most out of it!
Treat Yourself
Finally, if you’re in the mood to treat yourself (after all, you do deserve it!), come visit us for some extra special self-care. At Pravan Clinic we’ve incorporated Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Neurofeedback and IV Vitamin Drips into our offerings. Our patients are loving these treatments, and we’re loving seeing the results!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this series, and have learned a thing or two along the way! While these are all areas we focus on in one’s wellness journey at Pravan, it never hurts to have an extra reminder from time to time. And for those of you who have yet to take the Pravan plunge, we’d love to extend an offer to help you get started.
If you sign up to become a member between now and January 31st you will receive your Initial Medical Evaluation and Health Optimization Plan for free (a $500 value). This takes a $2,300 membership to $1,800 or $150 per month. Happy New Year to you!
You may also reach out directly to our Membership Director, Ambar, at 787-414-1119 or at Ambar.Lopez@PravanHealth.com if you have any questions about our New Year Promotion.