Recently, I heard an influencer say something along the lines of, “I had no idea how crappy I was feeling all the time until I wasn’t.” It stopped me in my tracks. I’ve been on this health and fitness journey for a long time, but I don’t think I can recall the “before” wellness feeling. How many people think they are doing just fine? Do you think they would know that they could feel a hundred times better? It’s an interesting thought. As I pondered this over and over again on my dog walks, I realized there were a few actions I’d taken that made me feel loads better, even when I didn’t even know I needed them.
No Alcohol
Recently, I noticed that my daily wine habit (or any alcohol for that matter) was getting expensive. I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I used to, and I started to make the connection between drinking alcohol and interrupted sleep. I wasn’t positive the sleep issues were due to drinking since I was also experiencing hot flashes and other perimenopausal symptoms, but I wondered about it, and it was starting to give me pause before pouring a glass at night.
Fast forward to today. I hardly drink at all. When I do, it’s a special occasion, and it’s a drink with a meal, not a drink to drink. If I do have more than one, say at a BBQ or something, I definitely feel like garbage. On the other hand, now that my nightcaps are water instead of wine, I am sleeping more soundly and waking up refreshed. My skin looks a million times better than it did back then, and overall, I have more energy. Alcohol zapped me in ways I didn’t realize when I was still enjoying it.
Recent studies have been shared illustrating just how bad alcohol is for our bodies. Young people in particular are drinking less, and sales of alcohol are down for the first time in decades. These trends are no accident. You CAN feel so much better if you choose a refreshing alcohol-free seltzer over a mimosa. I’m not here to judge you for drinking, but if you are someone who is a regular consumer of alcohol, it might be time to try a fast and see how it makes you feel.
Tummy Issues Be Gone
Fair warning that this section is probably TMI, but if we can’t talk openly about our poop, how will we learn from one another? LOL. Seriously, though, I was once in a place where I was alternating between loose stool and constipation often in the same day. It was never comfortable, and I kept researching what foods to eat to improve the situation. I recall one time asking my husband if he had to wipe over and over after each BM. He did not. I knew something was wrong, and nothing I was doing fixed it. I was taking a probiotic, but it was an OTC version from the local grocery store. Clearly, that was not the answer. Or was it?
Fast forward to the day I decided to use a discount code to afford the Seed probiotic. It was hailed by the MindPump Media team as the best one on the market. Hey, if it could help my poop sitch, I was all in! It’s been 5 years, and I’ve never looked back. I now go regularly, and everything is great! If I run out or miss doses due to travel or other issues, I definitely notice the difference. I can’t believe I went literally YEARS without trying this.
Sleep. Not for the Weary
Do you get enough sleep? Sure, maybe you are getting 7 hours, but is it good sleep? Do you feel refreshed? I thought I was sleeping great. I was able to get up with my alarm and didn’t really get tired during the day unless it was a busy day. I had no idea it could be better. But while trying to dial in my recovery protocol to make more gains in the gym, I made a wild discovery. I was NOT sleeping well!
I used to go to bed between 9:30 and 11 p.m. and wake up at 5 a.m. On weekends, I slept in until 8 or 9 a.m. Not a regular schedule. I would eat bedtime snacks at 9, drink wine until 9:45, and watch TV the entire time. Now, I follow a strict protocol that is so ingrained in me, I don’t even think about it. And it’s been a game-changer.
The 3-2-1 Rule
It’s true that people pay more attention to their morning routines than their evening ones. But, I am here to tell you… evenings matter, too! To help me truly get the most out of sleepy time, I now stop eating 3 hours before bed, stop drinking 2 hours before bed, and stop using electronics/TV 1 hour before bed. Now, I’m not perfect by any means, but for the most part, I follow this religiously. In addition, I go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. You would not believe the difference in my energy. The minute I fall off this protocol on vacations, or because I’m sick or work is stressful, I notice it in a big way.
Small Changes Make Big Differences
The bottom line is that you can feel better even if you don’t think you need to. My improvements happened by accident (mostly), but I’ve learned from them. If you are looking to level up, pick an area to work on, whether it be sleep, gut health, or something else altogether. It’s not normal not to feel great, and when you do, it can mean a much more fulfilling life.
Need help dialing in something that works for you, or encouragement to try something new? I’m here. Send me a message (or an SOS) and I’ll reply!