Living a healthier life is about more than hitting goals in the gym or getting to your goal weight. And while living with a disability might mean some modifications are necessary, there’s nothing stopping you from living the life you want. Check out easy ways to balance your fitness routine and overall self-care with the following tips, courtesy of The Mighty Miracle Man.
Set Up for SuccessWhether you’re starting a fitness routine or are changing things up to stay motivated, set yourself up for success. Setting big goals is one way to ensure you burn out fast, so start small. Try to build up to bigger goals like lifting a certain amount of weight or exercising for a set length of time.
 
Knowing your limits also helps you set realistic fitness goals. Your disability might mean you have to modify an exercise, cut a session short, or even skip a workout. Push yourself as far as is healthy, but recognize that everyone’s body has its limit — and learn yours.
Don’t Spend All Your Time at the GymYou might feel like missing a day at the gym is the worst thing you can do. But it turns out your body needs rest days, and for many different reasons.
 
Taking a rest day gives your tissue time to repair itself, growing stronger muscles, says Healthline. Breaks from exercise ensure you come back to your workout refreshed and ready to work even harder.
 
Even if you’re working on building muscle, downtime is a positive thing — plus, it leaves time for other varieties of self-care.
Alleviate Stress at HomeImproving your environment can impact your mindset. A clean and decluttered home eliminates bad energy and gives you space to breathe. Yet keeping the house clean is probably easier said than done for most of us.
 
Start small with cleaning up, making things like decluttering surfaces and dusting regular habits. A small accomplishment will help you reach bigger goals, just like it does for exercise. And with dirt out of the way, it’s easier to focus on your health.
Set Solid Personal BoundariesBoundaries are your best friend when it comes to self-care. Exercising control over your life, work, and relationships is great for your confidence and overall health. The mental load of dealing with things — especially things you don’t like — can be heavy, so set limits that work for you.
 
Psych Central names different types of boundaries like physical, sexual, emotional, intellectual, and even financial. Self-reflection and clear communication with other people establishes your boundaries and ensures you get the respect you deserve.
Reward Yourself in Healthy WaysSnacking or skipping the gym aren’t the best ways to reward yourself for meeting fitness or self-care goals. Instead, find healthy ways to indulge and pump yourself up.
 
For example, you could watch an episode or two of a favorite show, run a bubble bath, or schedule a lunch date with a friend. If you have room in your budget, indulge in your favorite things, whether that’s clothes, shoes, or fitness equipment.
Pay Attention to Mental Health, TooFitness and self-care often center on physical health and getting your workout in. But mental health is a big part of the equation, whether your disability involves your brain, body, or both.
 
Plus, the Centers for Disease Control cites data that suggests people with disabilities are more likely to struggle with mental health. You’re not alone, and it’s important to get help if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Dive Into Something NewWork is often a source of stress for many people, especially if your work environment isn’t supportive when it comes to accommodations for your disability. Quitting a job you hate could be a positive move for self-care, but what next?
 
Think about starting a business that serves you and an audience you define. Build a career path around your needs and interests, and self-care may become that much easier. After all, if your job is something you’re passionate about, it’s easier to go to work every day.
 
 
 
Balance is crucial in all areas of life, especially when it comes to your body and mind. Working on reaching fitness goals is healthy, but not if you're doing so at the expense of your mental health and overall happiness. Try these tips to find balance and see where they take you.
Disability, Fitness Goals, and Self-Care: Here’s How to Find Balance
 
Photo by Unsplash
 
Living a healthier life is about more than hitting goals in the gym or getting to your goal weight. And while living with a disability might mean some modifications are necessary, there’s nothing stopping you from living the life you want. Check out easy ways to balance your fitness routine and overall self-care with the following tips, courtesy of The Mighty Miracle Man.
Set Up for SuccessWhether you’re starting a fitness routine or are changing things up to stay motivated, set yourself up for success. Setting big goals is one way to ensure you burn out fast, so start small. Try to build up to bigger goals like lifting a certain amount of weight or exercising for a set length of time.
 
Knowing your limits also helps you set realistic fitness goals. Your disability might mean you have to modify an exercise, cut a session short, or even skip a workout. Push yourself as far as is healthy, but recognize that everyone’s body has its limit — and learn yours.
Don’t Spend All Your Time at the GymYou might feel like missing a day at the gym is the worst thing you can do. But it turns out your body needs rest days, and for many different reasons.
 
Taking a rest day gives your tissue time to repair itself, growing stronger muscles, says Healthline. Breaks from exercise ensure you come back to your workout refreshed and ready to work even harder.
 
Even if you’re working on building muscle, downtime is a positive thing — plus, it leaves time for other varieties of self-care.
Alleviate Stress at HomeImproving your environment can impact your mindset. A clean and decluttered home eliminates bad energy and gives you space to breathe. Yet keeping the house clean is probably easier said than done for most of us.
 
Start small with cleaning up, making things like decluttering surfaces and dusting regular habits. A small accomplishment will help you reach bigger goals, just like it does for exercise. And with dirt out of the way, it’s easier to focus on your health.
Set Solid Personal BoundariesBoundaries are your best friend when it comes to self-care. Exercising control over your life, work, and relationships is great for your confidence and overall health. The mental load of dealing with things — especially things you don’t like — can be heavy, so set limits that work for you.
 
Psych Central names different types of boundaries like physical, sexual, emotional, intellectual, and even financial. Self-reflection and clear communication with other people establishes your boundaries and ensures you get the respect you deserve.
Reward Yourself in Healthy WaysSnacking or skipping the gym aren’t the best ways to reward yourself for meeting fitness or self-care goals. Instead, find healthy ways to indulge and pump yourself up.
 
For example, you could watch an episode or two of a favorite show, run a bubble bath, or schedule a lunch date with a friend. If you have room in your budget, indulge in your favorite things, whether that’s clothes, shoes, or fitness equipment.
Pay Attention to Mental Health, TooFitness and self-care often center on physical health and getting your workout in. But mental health is a big part of the equation, whether your disability involves your brain, body, or both.
 
Plus, the Centers for Disease Control cites data that suggests people with disabilities are more likely to struggle with mental health. You’re not alone, and it’s important to get help if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Dive Into Something NewWork is often a source of stress for many people, especially if your work environment isn’t supportive when it comes to accommodations for your disability. Quitting a job you hate could be a positive move for self-care, but what next?
 
Think about starting a business that serves you and an audience you define. Build a career path around your needs and interests, and self-care may become that much easier. After all, if your job is something you’re passionate about, it’s easier to go to work every day.
 
 
 
Balance is crucial in all areas of life, especially when it comes to your body and mind. Working on reaching fitness goals is healthy, but not if you're doing so at the expense of your mental health and overall happiness. Try these tips to find balance and see where they take you.