The month of August is the national wellness month. This month focuses on self care, healthy lifestyles, and managing stress levels. August is the perfect excuse to start focusing on yourself and make some everyday changes.

Wellness plays an important role in our everyday lives and how we and the people around us feel. Simple changes in our lifestyles can go a long way in making us feel like a whole new person.

Here are some ideas to try this month: 

• Get proper sleep

In order to get through the day our bodies need proper sleep. Without proper sleep, our hormones become irregular and directly affect our moods and emotions. It is recommended a teenager (13-18 years old) gets 8-10 hours every night. 

• Get regular exercise

Exercising frequently can be very beneficial for your wellness and physical health. Adding 30 minutes of exercise to your daily habits can improve your mood and give you a boost of energy.

• Stretch

Incorporating stretching into your day can boost serotonin levels, which causes a decrease in depression and anxiety. This benefits your overall wellness. 

• Drink more water

Drinking plenty of water each day is essential for your health. Water removes toxins from your body and provides energy sources for your brain. The recommended daily amount of water is 15.5 cups a day for men and 11.5 cups a day for women, but it differs for everyone.

• Maintain a balanced diet

Your body needs the right amount of nutrients (fruits, vegetables, carbs, protein, and healthy fats) in order for it to function properly. Without a balanced diet, emotional side effects such as feelings of anxiety and depressive episodes can occur.

Adding simple habits into your everyday life can drastically improve your overall wellness. August is a great month to start focusing on self care and self management.