Southern California can be summed up in one word, “beautiful.” It is home to beautiful beaches, landscapes, and people. One of the things that makes California a prime location to live or vacation is the various ways you can improve your personal health. From organic farm fresh foods to fuel your body to breathtaking beach sunsets to calm your mind, you can find exactly what you need to make the best version of yourself.
Physical Health Rewards Diet and Exercise
When it comes to personal health, your physical condition cannot be overlooked. A good diet of diverse and nutritious food and regular exercise are two fundamental pillars of a healthy lifestyle. A regular exercise routine can be difficult to start, and with a busy life, it can be even more difficult to keep up with.
The best way to start and keep a routine is to find a way to motivate yourself to do it. For some, that might include setting up health rewards so that you can have an immediate reward for your hard work while you work towards your long-term health goal.
Once you have the motivation, the next step is to make time in your schedule to actually exercise. Early in the morning or right after work are popular times for most people. Exercising by yourself at home can become monotonous very quickly. If you find yourself unmotivated by the same home gym setup, consider joining a local gym, hiring a personal trainer, or joining a recreational sports team, yoga class, or other group activity. Finding ways to make exercise fun and rewarding will help lead you to a better lifestyle, however, exercise is only half the battle.
Finding a diet that fits the needs of your body and your lifestyle is very important. The variety of the foods you eat, how often you eat them, and portion size will all contribute to your health. Food is fuel, and the fuel you choose to put in your body will determine how well your body functions. You only have one body and it deserves the best.
Food from popular name brands or even chain grocery store brands may fill your stomach but they do not always provide the best nutritional value. Even “healthy” foods might be packed with preservatives. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best is to go organic. Southern California is one of the best places to find organic food, and there are several organic stores by Venice Beach that would suit whatever you need.
Other than the quality of the ingredients, something you need to think about is preparation. You may not have the time to cook a healthy meal every night which may lead to you making unhealthy and expensive choices like ordering takeout. If you find yourself too busy to cook during the week, try meal prepping several meals for the whole week on the weekend or whenever you do have time. This way you can ensure you are staying on track for your health and also taking some burden off your wallet as well.
Mental Health and Overcoming Addiction
Your body is not the only part of you that needs to be healthy. Your mind and spirit can impact your body and attitude just as much as your physical health. Not having your mind in a good place can place a strain on your personal relationships, break healthy patterns like exercise and diet, and potentially even lead to destructive choices like addiction.
Taking care of your mind should be just as important to you as taking care of your body. Let’s start by talking about addiction. Drug and alcohol addiction is one of the most harmful things an individual can do. The substances affect your mind, which impacts your mental health. This negative impact can drive a person back to the substances creating a vicious cycle.
To be truly healthy, this cycle of addiction must be broken. Even if you know the “why” of your addiction, ultimately, you should consider speaking to a professional. Seeking counseling or even checking into a drug rehab facility might do more than improve your health, it might save your life.
Substance abuse is not the only thing you need to worry about. Anxiety, stress, overwork, burnout, and depression are just a few things that can make it difficult to be the healthiest version of you. Like with addictions above, if these things are severe professional counselors or psychiatrists may be something to consider for you.
For more minor cases of stress and anxiety, you may be able to find other ways to unwind and recalibrate your mind. Venice is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, and studies have shown that going to the beach is good for your mental health. A change of scenery, going outside regularly, a night out or in with friends, or even something as simple as petting an animal can reduce anxiety and stress and be a positive force for your mental health.
Ultimately, you know you the best. You understand better than anyone your own needs and what a healthy you looks like. But just because you can envision your healthy self doesn’t mean you don’t need a little help getting there. Hopefully, your time in California can be something that helps put you in the right direction.
