3 Wellness Goals to Set for Better Health & Happiness in Your Everyday Life

Now more than ever, we’re dealing with health concerns such as long COVID, substance abuse, obesity, and chronic stress: issues that interfere with our daily lives and harm us physically, mentally, and emotionally. And while treating these rising health concerns often requires the help of one or more professionals, there are some steps we can take to improve our general health and well-being when so many other things seem to be out of our control. By setting a few wellness goals, for instance, we can take steps to improve our health, reduce stress, and lead happier lives.

To learn how to set three simple wellness goals for better health and happiness, check out this article from Global Meals.

1. Make Your Home a Healthier Place to Live

Though so many things are still out of our control in the wake of COVID-19, there is one thing we do have the power to control: the health of the homes in which we live. We can always do more to make our homes healthier living spaces, especially as seasonal allergies worsen and poor indoor air quality becomes more of a problem.

Here are some wellness goals you can set today to create a healthier home for yourself and the rest of your household:

• Dust and vacuum more regularly. Most experts recommend vacuuming at least once or twice a week, making this an excellent goal to work toward if you tend to vacuum less frequently. Vacuuming removes potential allergens like pet dander and dust mites from your home while also extending the life of your flooring. Your vacuum, however, is only as good as its filter — so be sure to clean the filter at least once every three months to keep the vacuum cleaner in optimal working condition.
• Switch to non-toxic cleaning products. Instead of throwing out your conventional cleaning products and switching to natural products in one go, aim to replace a product whenever you run out of an item and need to restock.
• Buy an air purifier. You could purchase an air purifier for your home or naturally purify the air with houseplants, beeswax candles, or Himalayan salt lamps.

Don’t do nothing just because you can’t do everything at once: start small, and you’ll be well on your way to making your home a healthier place to live.

2. Keep Stress Under Control

If you, like most of us in the wake of COVID-19, are coping with chronic stress in your daily life — managing your stress is one of the best wellness goals you can set for improved health and well-being. So start by identifying your major stressors — whether it’s your career, workload at home, interpersonal relationships, or finances — and look for ways to manage and reduce the stress you’re experiencing. These stress management goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

3. Enhance Your Career

Whether your job is a major source of stress or you’re simply unfulfilled at work and looking for a change, setting a few career goals could also lead to better health and happiness at home and in the office. These could include short-term goals such as learning a new skill and starting your own business or long-term goals like earning a degree and changing careers altogether. Think about how you can achieve these goals without overwhelming yourself or taking on more than you can handle.

If one of your career goals is to earn a college degree, you might consider enrolling in an online degree program, so you’re better able to balance your schooling with work, family, and wellness. Online degrees are offered in fields such as healthcare, technology, and education, allowing you to enhance your career without having to step foot inside a classroom. In order to earn an online Bachelor of Education degree, for instance, you’ll complete core courses that teach you skills such as:

• Decision making.
• Problem-solving.
• Instructional practice.
• Learner development.
• Information literacy.
• Ethical practice.

To learn new career skills without obtaining a college degree, you might also consider signing up for a course or two on learning platforms such as Coursera or Udemy. Lifelong learning is good for your health and well-being, and you shouldn’t stop learning just because you’re no longer in school! Other ways to learn new skills and information include reading books, listening to podcasts, and joining a professional organization.

Set Wellness Goals for Improved Health & Happiness

Whether you’re looking to improve your health, manage stress, and/or enhance your career, achieving any of these three wellness goals will help to improve yourself as well as your life as a whole. You may not be able to achieve all three goals at once, and that’s okay. Start with the goal that’s most important to you today — such as cleaning your vacuum filter weekly, enrolling in a degree program, or reducing stress in your daily life — and plan out how you’ll make it happen.

Global Meals is a home delivery service providing nutritious meals to Ohio seniors and residents with disabilities. Visit globalmeals.com to learn more about our meal delivery services, or check your eligibility online here. You can also email at help@globalmeals.com.

Guest Writer: Annabelle Harris
info@elders.center