Your medical weight loss plan will focus on nutrition and exercise to help you get healthier and lose weight. But addressing your mental and emotional health is important, too. Because stress prompts your body to produce hormones that contribute to weight gain, managing your stress will do more than just help you feel better. A holistic approach will help you drop unwanted pounds and feel better all around.

To take care of your mind and body, follow these daily self-care tips.

Establish a schedule. Toddlers aren’t the only ones who find a schedule to be predictable and soothing! When adults live what feels like a chaotic lifestyle, it greatly increases our stress levels. Remember to wake up and go to bed at the same times each day, plan your meals, and set aside time for exercise and relaxation equally. Use your smartphone to set alarms to remind you to stick to your agenda.

Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of observing your emotions without reacting to them. That way, our temporary feelings don’t cause us to make choices that impact us in the long term. Take a few moments throughout the day to consider your emotions, and change your reactions to more positive ones. For example, some people snack when stressed or lonely; replace that habit with calling a friend, going for a short walk, journaling, or a meditation practice.

Engage your senses. We often focus on indulging one sense, to the exclusion of others. For a lot of us, that means eating for comfort. Experiment with scent diffusers in your home or office, play music or nature sounds that you enjoy, and surround yourself with soft textures, colors you enjoy, or plants. Keeping your home and office organized will cut down on visual clutter, that most of us don’t even realize will increase stress levels.

Practice gratitude. Each day, identify something for which you feel grateful. Even something as simple as a pretty sunset counts!

As always, give us a call to discuss any problems you’re having with your medical weight loss plan, or to set an appointment to get started. A huge part of self-care involves asking for help when you need it.