My 5 New Health Habits for 2020

We are one month into 2020 and I’ve made a few lifestyle changes. They say it takes 2 months or 66 days to form a new habit. Well, I’m well on my way to a healthier better version of myself for 2020 and beyond. I’ve made a few tweaks to my lifestyle to reduce my stress, promote a healthier lifestyle, reach my financial goals faster and put me in a good mental space. Some of these things are small and in the grand scheme of things perhaps trivial. But these are the things that have helped me. Doing something, no matter how small, is worth it for your health and wellness.

COLD SHOWERS FOR ANXIETY + BEAUTY

Anxiety

I’ve written a lot about my anxiety. I’ve suffered from tension anxiety on and off for the past 2 years. Sometimes I can identify my stressor and other times I have no idea why I’m stressed. What’s helped me tremendously over the last month is starting everyday with a cold shower. I know it’s hella weird right! But there are numerous studies on the advantages of cryotherapy (some of which I’ve used as a physical therapist for injuries). But I’d never even considered taking a cold shower until I read up on how it can help with depression and anxiety. So for the past few weeks I’ve been starting everyday with a cold shower. Most of the time when I’m in an anxiety bout I wake up in a tight ball, every muscle in my body tensed and my jaw clenched and my fist balled. That cold shower instantly takes all that away. It’s actually kinda weird how quickly I feel more normal after a 10 minute cold shower. 

Beauty

I know this might seem weird but I feel like my skin LOVES a cold shower. My skin isn’t as dry and ashy looking once I get out which usually happens when I take hot showers. Cold water strips less of the skins essential oils and it shows! I need way less lotion after a cold shower. My skin also looks brighter.


DECREASED CAFFEINE INTAKE

Y’all know I love a Nespresso every single morning! What I don’t love is the crushing withdrawal headaches I’d get if I missed a cup or drank it too late in the day. My brain was hooked. I hated that feeling that my body was dependent on something. I also know caffeine has an effect on anxiety. So I started limiting my caffeine intake. Instead of having a coffee every day, I have a coffee every other day. That may not seem like much of a lifestyle change but it’s helped me drastically especially with those withdrawal headaches and with my anxiety. I’ve replaced a coffee with an oak milk hot chocolate or oak milk chai tea latte when I don’t drink a coffee. I’ve also upped my water intake on days I do drink a coffee. For the first week, I was in hell, while my body adjusted. But now I feel like if I miss a day or two of coffee, I won’t suffer from a debilitating headache and that’s amazing especially while traveling and maybe not having access to a coffee maker (like when I was at my moms during Christmas break). By the way oat milk is delicious and since I’m lactose intolerant it’s perfect! I’ve heard that it has more calories than other non-diary milks and I absolutely don’t care. Give me all the calories. 

TIME OFF

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I’m a lot more absent on social media. I’ve starting taking at least 3 days off a week where I’m not posting any Instastories. I may still post a photo or two but I’m not actually filming for stories and that my dear friends has really helped my stress levels tremendously. Sometimes I’d feel that if I didn’t post on stories people would forget, the algorithm would shit on me and I’d miss out on something. But it’s all about quality over quantity.  Unless I’m at an event or traveling Instastories are work for me. I’m there mostly to promote my posts, promote my Youtube videos, let my viewers know about events or sponsored stories. I rarely get on Instastories without an agenda. So having this extra free time really helps me to be more intentional about the content I actually post. I’m also up to taking at least 2 days off a week where I do absolutely nothing regarding content creation. Although it’s sometimes really really hard to do, it’s helped me a lot with my stress and anxiety. It’s also boosted my creativity since I’m not cranking content out at warp speed. 

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

I have this new thing. It’s kinda like my thing for lists. I love writing lists and then crossing things off of them. It gives me such satisfaction to cross things off! Anyone else that way? Let me know in the comments! I am addicted to seeing just how much I can save. I know it’s weird right? I’ve set a goal for myself for savings this year and I can’t wait to see how well I do. I have a pretty sizable savings now and I’m planning to buy a home in the near future. I’ve paid off all my debt outside of student loans and that has taken a huge weight off my shoulders when it comes to anxiety since money and owing money is one of my main stressors. I also don’t deprive myself. If I want something I buy it. I don’t lament about spending money. I know money is abundantly pouring into my life every single day.

HEALTH + BEAUTY AS SELF CARE

Sometimes when you work for yourself or even when you work for someone else you end up putting yourself last. If you need a tooth pulled, you wait until you can get off or until you have a day away from work. You may need a checkup but can’t go for months. We all put off things regarding our health thinking it can wait. I used to be very well versed in doing that. It took a rude awakening for me to stop. Now, anytime I feel like somethings off with my body, I RUN to the doctor LOL. When my tooth started killing me, I got the next appointment to have that bad boy pulled out. I stay on top of my dental cleanings, my physicals and my monthly much needed massages. I also work out every other day for at least 30 minutes no matter what. I’m 35 years old and sometimes my body feels every bit of that 35 but I’m going to do everything I can to feel 23 forever. I drink my water. I mind my business. I use my SPF sunscreen daily and take my multivitamins. I also love taking the time to take care of the outside of me. Vitamin C, Retinol and Sunscreen are my 3 best friends when it comes to the skin on my face.

GET THE LOOK

& Other Stories Sweater | Oak & Fort Skirt | Creagh BK Handbag | Celine Sunglasses | Bottega Veneta Mules | Lele Sedoughi Earrings

What changes have you all made in the new year and have you been able to stick through them this month? I’ll check back in with how everything is going next month and let you know if my lifestyle changes have become actual habits.

xx

Monroe

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Special thanks to & Other Stories for sending over this awesome sweater. Thank you for supporting the brands I love!


11 Comments

  1. Nenette
    January 31, 2020 / 1:55 pm

    I love this list. All very good advice. I’d say you are definitely on the right track.

    • monroesteele
      Author
      February 1, 2020 / 10:04 am

      Thank you for reading!

  2. Bernie
    January 31, 2020 / 7:10 pm

    Great post! Glad you will be taking time off for yourself this year, although I enjoy the way you crank out content. This is a beautiful neutral look. I have been against browns for a while but this look has inspired me.

    • monroesteele
      Author
      February 1, 2020 / 10:04 am

      A good neutral look is always a win! Thanks so much for reading.

      x
      Monroe

  3. February 2, 2020 / 9:39 pm

    I’m going to have to join you on the cold showers and self care. I’ve accidentally started taking cold showers daily as this has been one of the warmest summers we’ve had here in Sydney and I’m really looking forward to autumn in March! I’m also going to start working out 3 times a week at a minimum – I hate working out with a passion so I’m going to have to pray for God’s strength here.

    xo Stephanie

    • monroesteele
      Author
      February 3, 2020 / 9:23 am

      Give it a shot it may help!

      xx
      Monroe

  4. February 19, 2020 / 1:40 pm

    Those shoes are killing me! <3

    • monroesteele
      Author
      February 19, 2020 / 4:18 pm

      Haha thanks love!

  5. TARA L ANDERSON
    March 22, 2020 / 2:18 pm

    The one thing I started to change in 2020 was waking up early…like 530am to read, pray, stretch then get ready for work. I started off good then one sleep in led to going back to my regular sleep schedule. I’ve got to start back up again. I felt great all day when I started my mornings off early.
    Btw love that skirt…it’s so good..lol!
    Keep sharing!!!!

    • monroesteele
      Author
      March 23, 2020 / 7:46 am

      The early bird gets the worm, right! I love waking up early too.

  6. Lorraine Currelley
    March 30, 2020 / 1:00 pm

    Your posts and videos are inspiring and transforming. i’m a subscriber on all your platforms. Lots of information and food for thought. A welcomed daily retreat. I appreciate you. P.S. Your hair is glorious and giving me life. Great outfit, you wear it well. Stay Safe. For safety updates cdc.gov.

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