The new year is a time when people re-evaluate and restructure their habits to lead a healthier, more fulfilling life. Oftentimes, this involves recommitting to investing time in themselves, shifting their priorities, and focusing on ways to better their community. To truly embrace the laid-back coastal lifestyle embodied by the Seabrook Island community, here are a few recommendations on how to reset and have healthier habits this year!
Resetting Your Habits To Lead a Happier, Healthier Lifestyle
Food for Thought
For many, their first step of wellness focuses on healthier eating habits. If you are like me, this is one of the most challenging sacrifices to make.
For me, the biggest letdown comes from switching from the many treats we indulge in during the holidays to a piece of fruit or healthy snack. I needed to find healthy alternatives that didn’t skimp on taste. This is the BEST healthy chocolate cookie recipe there is: https://pin.it/4KYnJc6.
I try and always make time for my spouse. We schedule at least one date night a week. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have enjoyed cooking Italian meals together and opening up a bottle of organic wine.
For a healthy and tasty date night, try this great little dish. Grill some shrimp with garlic and salt and pepper, boil your favorite whole wheat pasta, or use zoodles (spiralized zucchini). If you are going for low carb, then you have to try this nutritious (and delicious) walnut and kale pesto!
We have enjoyed spending time outdoors when the weather cooperates. A healthy cobbler while sitting around our fire pit is an evening of perfection. Garden and Gun has a great recipe that incorporates a healthier, natural sweetener.
Create Space for Success
This year is about setting bigger goals for yourself. If you want to be successful, whether in your business or personal life, you need to make room for it. To make yourself available to the opportunities you want to arise, clear the clutter so to speak, and create an environment that leaves you feeling inspired, especially as we spend more time at home.
Over the course of the past year, many of you have found yourselves making a transition to working remotely from home. Experts suggest that a home office can improve your work/life balance and the quality of your sleep. The designated room can establish boundaries and reinforce purpose in your work time.
This same concept applies even if you don’t work from home. For stay-at-home parents and retirees, setting yourself up for success is still important. Having a space you love will give you a sense of comfort and happiness, providing the perfect place to relax and reset!
For me, the transition was easy – I absolutely love my home office! I need to ensure I have made a transition from being home to “working,” so I always get dressed and make my way to my home office. I furnished it with comfortable and functional furnishings: a mirror to open up space, warm overhead light, and muted toile wallpaper. Fortunately, this space can be relatively small and easy to set up. Keep it bright, invest in a comfortable chair, and don’t forget to leave your laptop in the office at the end of the workday. I also light a fragrant candle to bring me some calm while searching for the perfect home for my clients!
Feel Good Inside and Out
Now that it’s March, the resolutions you made back in January are likely starting to test your resolve. As we move into spring, it’s the perfect time to shake things up and get back on track to meeting your goals. Take your fitness goals outside, and try something new! Charleston comes alive in the springtime, and it offers some exciting opportunities to spice up your self-improvement plan.
If you are looking for new places to explore this spring, do your exercise routine a favor and take an afternoon stroll through some of the Lowcountry’s world-famous gardens. Magnolia Gardens dates back to the 17th century, but today the former homestead, draped in Spanish moss and colorful spring blooms, is just as beautiful as ever. White Point Garden is another exquisite local spot that sits beside the Battery, overlooking the Charleston Harbor. Its rows of giant, beautiful oaks strike a powerful profile, and the walk from the garden down to Rainbow Row is a great way to soak up some of the most iconic scenery in Charleston. And of course, there’s nothing better than Seabrook’s beaches, among the best beaches in South Carolina. Take your workout partner (and/or your furry friend) for a jog along the shoreline, and experience our award-winning South Carolina beaches for yourself.
If you’re looking for a challenge, golf can be a great way to get the competitive juices flowing. The Seabrook Island Club features two of the best golf courses in Charleston. Socially separate by nature, golfers have long celebrated the game’s unique brand of distant exercise. The Seabrook Island Club is also home to fifteen outdoor tennis courts and two pickleball courts, so no matter which racquet you bring, you should be able to safely and comfortably find a match. And if you want to take social distancing to the next level, the Seabrook Equestrian Center features rolling green pastures, three miles of trails, and a large central arena. Lessons and boarding are available for both residents and visitors.
Spark Up Your Social Life
Though we must continue to be cautious and mindful by wearing masks and social distancing, that doesn’t mean you have to give up your social life altogether. Making social connections is an essential part of maintaining your mental health and overall well-being. As you spend more time at home, take this opportunity to safely get involved with Seabrook’s wonderful community.
From hobbyists to aficionados, there are plenty of special interest groups that can help you connect with others who share your passions. And now, it’s easier than ever to get involved. Many of these Seabrook Island groups have been offering remote meetings and socially distanced outings. You can make new friends and explore your hobbies from the comfort of your couch! Check out the Seabrook Island Tidelines blog to learn more about some of the active community groups in our area.
People begin to drop off their resolutions and revert to their old routines in the first few months of the year. I encourage you to not neglect yours and enjoy a lifestyle rooted in mental, physical, and social wellness this year! To 2021 and beyond, Seabrookers!
Years ago, Seabrook Island Real Estate Agent Michael Furlong fell in love with the charming Lowcountry scenery while on vacation in the area and decided to make it his permanent residence. Now, Michael enjoys sharing the most beautiful spot in the world and eagerly connecting newcomers to the community he holds so dearly. Michael has extensive experience in contractual agreements and has been an active investor and property owner for many years, which helps him anticipate and understand the many challenges clients may face. When not selling real estate on Seabrook Island, Michael enjoys hosting cooking classes and dinner parties, bike riding, designing gardens, and visiting the many historic landmarks in Charleston.