Healthy Habits to Create in 2025: A naturopathic guide
Written by Arabella Richards | Balance By Bell Naturopathy
Hello, and welcome to a brand-new year! As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect opportunity to reset, refocus, and create habits that truly nourish every part of our lives. At Balance by Bell Naturopathy, I believe that wellness isn’t just about eating better or exercising more (although those are great, too!). It’s about finding balance in every aspect of life, so you feel your best from the inside out.
Here are some simple, sustainable habits to focus on this year, ones that can help you feel healthier, happier, and more grounded (Oh, and these habits don’t break the bank).
For Your Mind: Supporting Psychological Health
1. Learn Something That Excites You
Have you been wanting to try a new hobby? Maybe it’s painting, learning to cook a new dish, or even picking up a new language. Doing something for you (not work, not obligations) is so rewarding. The release of dopamine when learning something new and exciting is rooted in both neuroscience and psychology. Dopamine is often referred to as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, and it plays a significant role in motivation, learning, and reward. So, by learning something new that fuels our soul and fills our cup, we release dopamine.
2. Take Five for Yourself
Life can feel busy and overwhelming, but even five minutes of mindfulness can make a difference. Whether it’s a few deep breaths outdoors, a quick guided meditation in a safe and comfortable space, or just sitting quietly while watching the world go by; giving yourself space to be can help reduce stress and boost clarity.
3. Write it Out
Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated. Jot down how you’re feeling, what’s on your mind, or even a few things you’re grateful for. It’s a simple habit that can clear your head and improve your mood. Here are a few examples questions to ask yourself:
What am I feeling in this moment?
What can I do right now to change how I’m feeling?
What is something that happened today that made me smile?
What is something I could have done differently today?
Another powerful way to approach journaling is by tapping into your "Healthy Adult", a concept rooted in psychology that allows you to connect with your wiser, more grounded self. Essentially, this means writing to yourself from the perspective of your ideal, healthiest, and most emotionally mature version of you.
So, what does it mean to access your "Healthy Adult"?
What Is the "Healthy Adult"?
The "Healthy Adult" is the part of you that represents your best self; the version that is calm, confident, and able to make decisions with clarity, compassion, and rationality. It's the version of you that responds thoughtfully to challenges instead of reacting from a place of fear or old patterns. In a way, the "Healthy Adult" is your dream self, who has learned from past experiences and is now able to navigate life with emotional balance and maturity.
The Healthy Adult speaks to you with understanding and without judgment. The tone is calm, loving, and rooted in the present moment. If you're struggling with something, you could write in your journal the following:
“You’re doing your best, and that's enough. It’s okay to take a step back and breathe.”
“Remember, you have the strength within you to navigate this. Trust yourself.”
“It’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is how you learn and grow from them.”
“It’s okay to have bad days, but remember you have the resilience to get through it.”
“You are enough exactly as you are, and every step you take brings you closer to your true self.”
4. Set Some Digital Boundaries
We all love a good scroll, but too much screen time can leave us feeling drained. Try creating a “no phone” zone, maybe at the dinner table or an hour before bed. Use that time for something that lights you up, like reading, chatting with loved ones, drawing or you can practice micro-dosing meditation.
For Your Body: Honouring Physical Health
1. Move Because You Love It
Exercise isn’t just about “burning calories.” It’s about feeling good! Whether it’s Pilates (a personal favourite of mine), walking in the fresh air, dancing in your living room, or swimming in the ocean, find something that makes you excited to move. Here are a few unique forms of exercise that you may not have considered in 2024:
Tai Chai: A Chinese martial art focused on slow, controlled movements, breathing, and meditation. It emphasizes balance, flexibility, and mental focus,
Muay Tai: A combat sport originating from Thailand, known as the "Art of Eight Limbs." It uses fists, elbows, knees, and shins for strikes. It's a high-intensity workout that improves strength, endurance, and coordination, as well as developing self-defence skills.
Yin Yoga: A slow-paced style of yoga that involves holding poses for several minutes (typically 3-5 minutes). It targets the deep connective tissues, like ligaments, joints, and fascia, rather than muscles. Yin Yoga encourages deep stretching, relaxation, and mindfulness.
Bikram Yoga: A form of hot yoga that consists of a set sequence of several poses and breathing exercises, all performed in a heated room. It promotes flexibility, strength, and detoxification through sweating and deep stretching.
Reformer Pilates: A form of Pilates that uses a reformer machine, which features springs, ropes, and pulleys to provide resistance. It focuses on strengthening the core, improving posture, and increasing flexibility.
Boxing: A combat sport involving punches, footwork, and defensive techniques. As a workout, boxing builds cardiovascular fitness, strength, endurance, and coordination. It’s also great for stress relief and toning the entire body.
Aerobics: A form of cardiovascular exercise that involves rhythmic, continuous movements, often performed to music. Aerobics is designed to increase heart rate and improve cardiovascular health. It’s typically high-energy and can include dance, step, or low-impact variations.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): A martial art and combat sport that focuses on ground fighting and grappling techniques, with an emphasis on submissions (like joint locks and chokeholds) rather than striking (punching or kicking).
2. Stay Hydrated
I know, I know—you’ve heard it before. But staying hydrated is so important for energy, digestion, and focus. A simple goal? Start your day with a glass of water with a sprinkle of pink salt in it and keep a bottle nearby to sip throughout the day. Treat yourself to a vibrant water bottle that matches your style and feels uniquely yours. For an extra boost of hydration and flavour, try adding fresh fruit and mint leaves to your water.
3. Make Sleep Sacred
Sleep is where the magic happens. It’s when your body and mind recharge. Create a calming bedtime routine you look forward to. Dim the lights, read a comforting book (preferably fiction and fantasy – self-help books are so 2024), or enjoy a cup of calming herbal tea such as chamomile and lavender. Aim for consistent bedtimes to feel refreshed and ready for each day. Alternatively, supplements with Magnesium Glycinate are fantastic for sleep support, while herbal remedies such as Magnolia, Passionflower and Hops are fantastic too.
4. Eat to Feel Nourished
Instead of focusing on restrictions, think about adding nutrient-dense foods to your plate; vibrant veggies, healthy fats like avocado and nuts, and proteins that keep you feeling satisfied such as chicken, turkey, lean beef mince and salmon. And don’t forget, eating should be joyful, not stressful!
For Your Soul: Connecting with Spiritual Health
1. Start with Gratitude
Each morning or evening, take a moment to reflect on three things you’re truly grateful for or that simply make you feel happy. These can be significant aspects of your life, like family and health, or smaller, more fleeting moments. This simple yet powerful practice helps shift your mindset towards abundance, making it easier to embrace joy and positivity. Gratitude is a form of spiritual nourishment, cultivating a sense of inner peace and fostering a deeper connection to the present moment.
2. Spend Time in Nature
Nature has a natural healing energy that can restore balance to your mind, body, and spirit. Spending time outdoors, whether it’s taking a leisurely walk through your local park, sitting quietly by water, or simply tending to a garden, invites you to disconnect from the busyness of everyday life and reconnect with the earth. This grounding experience helps to calm your thoughts, reduce stress, and foster a deeper sense of harmony. Even a few minutes outside can leave you feeling recharged, centred, and more spiritually attuned to the world around you.
3. Create a Morning Ritual
The way you begin your morning can set the tone for the entire day, influencing your energy and mindset. Rather than jumping straight into your routine, carve out a small window of time—10 to 15 minutes—each morning to engage in a ritual that nourishes your soul. This might include activities like meditation to calm your mind, journaling to reflect on your intentions for the day, or simply savouring your coffee or tea with mindfulness in the morning sunlight. The act of starting your day with intention, whether it's through quiet contemplation or a moment of gratitude, can cultivate a sense of calm and purpose. A well-loved morning ritual is like an anchor for your spirit, helping you navigate the challenges of the day with a grounded, centred energy.
4. Spread Kindness
Kindness is a simple but powerful way to nurture your spiritual health. Whether through a smile, a kind word, or a thoughtful gesture, spreading kindness helps cultivate an inner sense of fulfillment and connection to others. Acts of kindness don’t have to be grand; they can be as simple as complimenting someone, holding the door open for a stranger, or offering yourself the same compassion you would offer to someone you care about. When you give kindness, you not only brighten someone else’s day, but you also elevate your own sense of peace and purpose. Acts of kindness have a ripple effect, fostering a collective sense of love and understanding that uplifts both you and those around you.
Let’s Make It Last
It’s easy to feel motivated in January, but what about the rest of the year? The key is starting small, being consistent, and giving yourself grace. Remember, it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
At Balance by Bell Naturopathy, I’m here to help you make changes that actually fit your life and feel good. Whether it’s support with mental health, optimising your physical well-being, or finding balance in your daily routine, I’d love to guide you. Let’s make 2025 your year of balance, health, and happiness.
Ready to get started? Book a consultation with me today
Here’s to a vibrant, fulfilling year ahead!
– Arabella, Balance By Bell Naturopathy.