Things that are “healthy” for us change as life seasons change. Over the past several months living in the city I’ve settled into a few so called, health habits, that have changed my life in big and really good ways.
1. NO CELL PHONES IN THE BEDROOM
I’ve learned the bed is for two things: sex and sleep. I am fully aware I’m the health care provider here, but you know…we don’t always take our own advice. I use to crawl into bed with my phone and read some blogs that I really love before bed. But then, you know how fast that goes south…all of a sudden, 45 minutes later you’re looking at that dress from Nordstrom or your ex boyfriend’s cousin’s sister’s instagram. No good.
Now my phone stays in the kitchen and I’m in bed by 10pm at the latest. I cannot tell you how much my sleep anxiety and intermittment insomnia have decreased. I also finally graduated from nursing school and wedding planning is over so that helps…but I really do think not having the phone in the bedroom has made a significant impact on my sleep –> duh, Robyn. Wondering what I do for an alarm? We have these cute, but obnoxiously annoying old fashion alarm clocks that we set. I love how they look, hate how they sound, but it’s working.
2. EXERCISE LESS FREQUENTLY
Over the past several months I’ve started to realize even though I mentally/emotionally enjoy doing yoga or running or whatever movement looks like 5-6 days a week, my body just doesn’t. I would go to a workout class or it would be gorgeous out and I’d go on a run and bit by bit I started to realize my body wasn’t recovering like it use to. Stuff didn’t feel as good as it use to. So I switched to moving my body every other day or 3-4 days a week (more or less depending on how my body feels from week to week) and it’s been soooooo good. Not only am I so much more grateful for my body and the time I do have to go on a run or do a barre video or some yoga, but my mornings are slower and feel more like weekends. And if a Monday morning can feel more like a Saturday morning I’M SO DOWN. I still have about 2 1/2 hours from the time I wake up until the time I need to leave for work which allows for reading and a sit-down-eggs-and-toast breakfast and hanging out with Nick and doing some writing or seeing a client. I’m into it.
A reader wrote an email to me asking to expand on knowing when too much exercise is too much and I think these are some good questions to ask yourself:
- Am I doing this because I want to or am I doing this because I think I should?
- Even if I enjoy this activity mentally (for ex: running) does my body like this?
- Am I doing this to burn calories or am I doing this to take care of myself?
- Am I getting injured often?
- Am I sleeping well? Perhaps your exercise habits are too stressful, which means your cortisol levels could by high and that affects your sleep.
- Am I irritable or cranky? This could be caused by inadequate nutrition to meet your energy expenditure, high levels or cortisol, etc etc.
- Do you look forward to moving your body? If you dread it, then you should probably reorient the way you move your body.
- Do you get anxiety if you don’t exercise a certain way or a certain amount? If you do, then perhaps your movement isn’t best for you.
- Am I getting my period? Even if you love to run and do HIIT classes or any movement and it feels good, are you still menstruating naturally (being on birth control is not natural menstruation fyi)
3. LESS SOCIALIZING ON WEEKDAYS
I use to have something going on during the weekdays almost every night. As in, if I had a night free it was like “omg I can’t wait to go home and not do anything!” That’s not healthy, or good, or sustainable. Over the past three years, I’ve learned this is New York culture…there is always something to be doing or someone to be seeing. But then, I began to dream of not having to see anyone and just laying at home by myself. And as a natural extrovert, when you start to look forward to doing nothing with nobody….something has got to change.
Before Nick and I were married, I set aside 1 night a week with just myself (not enough at all). And now, I only plan one weeknight event. That’s it. All the other nights I either just come home and spend time with Nick, or have a night to myself if Nick’s out with his guy friends or mayyybeeee I’ll go on a run or walk with a friend near our apartment if it’s nice out. Other than that, it’s about resting and just enjoying the mundane weeknight things. There’s something really rich about that.
There have been so many transitions that have happened in the past six months, and sometimes I feel like a ball of emotions and can’t tease apart my feelings, but these three changes have helped calm life immensely.
Any habits you’ve implemented that are helping you live a more purposeful life? Please share with us in the comments!
I definitely have those “I can’t wait to go home and do NOTHING” days lol! It’s hard to find a balance between super busy and bored; I find that after a day or two of not being super social I get into a slump where I don’t even want to see anyone. Probably a good change I could make for my mental health, finding that balance is key.
I love your openness about your life/seasons you’re in <3 Always appreciated! Lately, I've put my phone into another room, I can't even begin to tell you how much this helps with my sleeping habits! I also started going to the library more, which means more reading & "recharge" time! Lastly… every time I go to workout, I ask myself " does this movement bring me, Joy"? If not, I find something else to do!
love all that! Nick loves the library too 🙂
Im totally with you on no cell phones and social activities during the week. While I do use my phone at times, ive turned off all notifications and i make myself put it away at times. It adds SO muh stress that doesnt need to be there. Also, I definitely try to give myself calm time with my man during the weekday nights. Its my time to unwind and get some head space before another long day at work.
I’ve been decreasing my exercise lately as well and feel so much better! I think I am even sleeping better. Totally agree that there is so much richness in real rest. Such a sweeter and simpler way of living!
I had to realize that my body hated running, come to terms with that, and just run when I want, and not care about pace. That was huge for me!
praise hands for that freedom girl 🙂
I absolutely love all three of these health habits. I feel like they aren’t just good for your body, they are good for your soul!
One thing I have started doing more is just simply saying a quick prayer throughout the day. If I know a family member is traveling, or if my boyfriend is doing something, or if I just simply notice how beautiful the sky looks, I say a quick prayer to God thanking Him or asking Him to please watch over my family.
That may seem silly, but those quick prayers to Him help me out so much mentally! Because for a few moments, I am not thinking about myself, I am thinking about Him or a loved one.
<3
YES! It helps us to stay grateful and grounded. love that <3
Great post, Robyn! I’ve shifted from running and spinning most of the time to yoga and walking + lifting weights and it leaves me feeling so much better physically AND mentally:) Also, taking a cue from your slower mornings lately has been really nice once I get myself out of bed 😉
so glad you’ve found movement that works better for you Tailar 🙂
slooowwww mornings. all about em.
I definitely need to get back to reducing my screens before bed. Not having to get up for school the next day has made me get a little lax about it, but I’ve found it’s harder to fall asleep and I have really weird, scary dream haha. During the school year, I found time alone was SO important to recharge because I’m seeing and interacting with people all day. Now, I’ve actually realized that I NEED to schedule time to get out of the house and be with people because that interaction has been what gives me energy.
xxMeah
Oh my gosh, I SO agree about the less social activities during the weekdays one!
I completely agree with the weekday activities – there is something so amazing about coming home every night and just, being. Doing whatever you want, whatever feels right. Weekday nights are honestly my favorite, and I used to plan WAY too much on them until recently, and it has made a big difference on how I feel waking up each day, now that I am focusing on planning less during the week!
agree agree agree – it’s so awesome to have margin in your week nights!
It’s so neat hearing how Nick has changed you, and I love hearing that you are sleeping so much better. I totally 100% agree that having the phone in bed or even near bed doesn’t help sleep. I notice a significant difference when I’m on my phone right before bed. Reading these was kind of a good challenge to me, because although I’m not married I don’t want to do my phone in bed or before bed either.
Also, decreasing weekday activities is so good, because it enables you to put more love and energy into the activities that you are able to do. 🙂
The questions you listed to ask about exercise were really good. 🙂 That’s a wonderful reference for learning what intuitive exercise looks like for each person.
Getting into gardening has made me really excited to cook and has increased my time spent outdoors. I’ve never had a green thumb per say, but after tasting homegrown cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, and eggplants, I am sold!
I can’t wait for when we move from the city and we can have a garden!!
I love that you’re blogging so frequently, Robyn!
This made me happy, because I’m actually practicing/trying to practice all three!
Also, I quit running completely to remove “should I/could I”-thoughts. (I don’t like extremes or using phrasing like “never”, but for this time, it is right for me and my health to “never” run again.) I also spend time with my dogs in the morning before checking my phone and it is so calming and fills me up with real love – not only instagram-hearts.
Also, lots of vitamin B6, magnesium and Tryptophan – which all seems to calm me, especially at night.
I wish you knew how much your blog means to me, how much you inspire me to take better care of myself. I hope this is not overwhelming or seem weird, but your words have really changed something in me. You are a wonderful person.
Enjoy your weekend! And thank you
Love this post very relavent, I to have been keeeping my cell phone out of my bedroom such a bad habit i created also i find im not jumping on social media first thing in the morning with it not being beside me.
cutting down exercise for me also has been healthy rather than trying to do everyday and having it feel like a chore or beating myself up if i dont make it.
hope you dont feel like im making it all about me rather the fact i can totally relate, this is why your one of my favourite bloggers !!!
thanks for sharing Nicole
Like someone else said, I love that you have wanted to post more on the blog 🙂 I am really going into this next semester trying to study less. May sound silly, but I know you mentioned releasing your high stress around your GPA, and I am trying to do the same. Thank you for sharing these tips!
that was huge for me to just let go of not getting that 4.0 or even straight As….like it’s OKAY. hope you feel not alone in that:)
Awesome post! I am constantly being reminded how much time we spend on our electronics. It’s just such a hard habit to break.
its SO hard. but so worth it 🙂
Thank you for sharing these! I definitely need to work on saying “no” to social activities, especially since I start physical therapy school next week. I’ve also heard from others as well that keeping cell phones out of the room is a game changer, and I have no doubt that that would help me get more sleep!
I hope those two things are both helpful for you!
I so enjoy your blog -your passion-and I gain insights into this ” food stufff”. I wanted to ask about ( cannot find much out there in terms of age related tips)… for he 60+ women.
I am 61 love my family -husband and love my faith. I am into workouts and good food. I am somewhat discouraged by the post menopause thing in terms of the slower metabolism. It has shocked me. I work out 5-6 days a week- walk our 3 dogs atop this for a total a f 4-5 miles—- still hard to maintain the weight. Portion control and removal of sweets I have adopted , still difficult. Any advice. I thought I would ask as you make mention about Women’s cycles etc. btw— your pictures from the wedding and wedding events were wonderful–you look so happy and I am happy for you. Congratulations. ( a fellow nurse)…
hi Cindy – will you email me? [email protected]
thank you for your sweet words 🙂
This is such great advice. For myself, I also have switched to the 3-4, every other day workout plan and it has been SO GOOD. For some people, I think it can be so easy to slip into that obsessive and compulsive exercise routine and we don’t realize how much it’s really stressing our body out. Stress is WAY WORSE for the body than lack of exercise. I am glad you’re finding balance. I think it’s difficult for Type A people, but it sounds like you’ve finally found your perfect match!
STRESS IS the worst – thank you for emphasizing this!
This was such a great read!
Your tips on evaluating exercise are perfect!! I can’t wait to start practicing those 🙂
Also, I admire how in-tune you are with not only your body, but also your mind and spirit and heart. You’re a busy woman, I’m sure, so being able to stay connected to yourself is truly truly admirable and something we ALL need to work on!
Thanks for sharing, Robyn!!
I’ve been wanting to get a bedside clock for ages (to get rid of my phone next to my bed) but kept putting off looking for one. I just clicked on your link and bought it – thank you thank you! And love this post, so so good 🙂