15 Must-Have Essentials For Your Healthiest Year Yet

Maintaining a happy mind and a healthy body is essential to living our best lives. If we want to accomplish our dreams and be there for our loved ones until we're gray and old, then we need to be actively taking care of ourselves. There is always time for yourself and your wellbeing, and the start of this new year is leaving us rather inspired to start making our wellness a priority.

If this sounds like you, and you're ready to take your physical and mental health to the next level, keep on reading.

Here are 15 must-have essentials to help you live your most healthiest year yet:

1. Inspiring Guided Journals For Reflection & Growth

Mental health is just as important as your physical health! Starting a journal can help you to ease stress, lessen anxiety, and provide a space to intimately grow in your personal development. It allows you to reflect on what's currently happening, see lessons you've learned from the past, and make plans for the future. Guided journals in particular are a great way to have personal conversations with yourself. They provide easy and thought-provoking prompts to encourage deeper reflection.

This 15-minute Daily Elegance Journal is perfect for helping you to get to know yourself and see how you feel about your day.

2. Quality Shoes For Every Occasion

One of the biggest reasons why people experience pain in their feet is due to improper footwear. If your finances allow, it's great to invest in a few pairs of quality shoes for different occasions. For those who enjoy weight-lifting in the gym, you may want a different pair of gym shoes from your running shoes. If you enjoy wearing heels often, it may be smart to find pairs of different heights and insoles depending on the duration of time you'll be standing in them.

If you feel like you are still having trouble, it's always a good idea to seek help and support from a doctor or specialist. They will be able to recommend a certain type of footwear that are best suited for you and your needs.

3. A Meditation/Prayer App To Help You Reset & Relax

Spiritual wellness is an important part of your overall wellbeing. Taking the time to nurture that part of your health is incredibly beneficial and can positively influence other areas of your life, as well. Finding yourself a guided app can be very helpful in taking the time to slow down and rest. Many even offer a library of music and sounds to help you focus, relax, and fall asleep. 

Try spending just a few minutes each day to engage in meaningful meditation or prayer to clear your head, promote self-awareness, and instill a sense of peace in your everyday. 

4. Reusable Water Bottles Fit For A CEO

Did you know that up to 50% of adults in the U.S. aren't getting enough hydration? 

Water is truly the elixir of life. Staying hydrated greatly improves your physical mobility, keeps your skin clear and smooth, and supports necessary brain and immunity functions within your body (so you don't get sick!)

Many people tend to forget to hydrate simply because they are too busy or lack a convenient source of water. If that sounds like you, don't worry. This stylish reusable water bottle makes the perfect reminder to drink more water throughout the day. With 8 different inspiring affirmations, a mark for every hour, you will be perfectly motivated to regularly take a sip.

5. A Fitness Watch To Keep Track Of Your Progress

Having a fitness watch or device is a fantastic way of keeping track of your overall physical health. Aside from counting steps and recording your latest run time, modern health devices can now give insights into things like heart condition, stress levels, sleep patterns, menstrual cycle, and body composition. You can even sync your watch to your phone to keep track of all of your information in one place, making it easy to see any trends or changes. 

There are many styles of watches on the market so you're sure to find one that will suit your needs and unique personal style. Most times fitness watches can be customized, and the wristbands interchangeable with other designs. This makes it perfect as an accessory because you can change it up as often as you like.

6. Non-Toxic Performance Cookware For The Best Meals Ever

Have you ever noticed how most professional chefs stay away from conventional non-stick pans? This is because they prefer the durability and performance of higher-quality materials like stainless steel, copper, ceramic, and cast-iron. While more expensive, these kinds of cookware are much better for you. Meals prepared in these types of pans usually taste better and cook much faster and more evenly. Not to mention that they are much safer, with a lower chance of chemicals leeching into your food, due to the hardiness of the materials. 

If you're still using the same pots and pans set you bought in college, it might be time for an upgrade. Keep an eye out for sales at your local department store to find a high-quality cook set at a great price.

7. Insulated Lunch Bags For Healthy Meal Prepping

Are you interested in meal prepping for work or school? Then you need yourself a quality insulated lunch bag. This one is made from sustainable vegan leather, provides great insulation, and conveniently organizes all your lunch essentials like cutlery and napkins. 

If you are a parent or caregiver, it can also function as a diaper bag with convertible straps, making it fantastic for storing bottles and breast milk to make traveling with kids so much easier.

8. Proper Undergarments For The Ultimate Support

It is extremely important to your health to wear the right undergarments. According to an online study, a staggering 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size. Wearing the wrong size can inevitably lead to shoulder, chest, and back discomfort, painful chaffing, and poor posture. 

If you are unsure if you are wearing the right undergarments for you, then you can visit a nearby lingerie consultant to get fitted. You can most likely find one at a nearby department store or boutique, where they will assist by measuring you and recommending styles that are most suited for your specific body type. Once you know your size and styles, shopping in the future will be quick and simple.

9. A Gym Membership To Reach Your Fitness Goals

If you do not have access to workout equipment at home, a gym membership is another great option to help you achieve your fitness goals. Aside from the equipment and machines, gyms can offer various services and amenities like personal trainers, pools, saunas, and smoothie bars. Gyms can also be a great place to find support and friendships along your fitness journey, so you don't feel alone. 

Before deciding on a gym to call your own, it's a good idea to do your research, as each one can differ from the next in regards to fitness level, equipment options, and social culture. With so many out there, though, you're bound to find one that you love.

10. Affirmation Cards To Set The Tone For The Day

What you say to yourself is how you will feel. We can either choose to tell ourselves uplifting and energizing thoughts or discouraging thoughts of doubt. When we choose to say negative or hurtful things to ourselves, we are consistently perpetuating a bad self-image, and this, in-turn, brings down our moods and performance throughout our life. 

These positive Morning Affirmation Cards encourage us to see the strength and potential within ourselves to be great. They inspire us to grow elegantly, to be bold and hard-working, and to be focused on what's important. Just taking a moment to read and reflect on one each morning can instantly brighten your mood and provide motivation for a productive and fulfilling day.

11. Pet & Kid-Friendly Cleaning Products

A collection of the right cleaning essentials will keep germs and dirt at bay and leave your house sparkling like new. However, not every brand is safe and well-suited for your littles and furry friends. Some cleaners can irritate or make pets and babies sick, so do your research to find the best ones for your household. Luckily, the market for household products is large, and many brands offer alternatives to most commonly harsh products so you can feel good about what your family is exposed to.

12. Convenient Snack Pouches For Mom & Kids

Making traveling with snacks easy. Especially useful for kids, these insulated snack pouches make transporting food convenient, and prevent huge messes in your backpack or purse. They keep tasty treats contained, organized, and fresh, meaning less hastle and stress. Perfect for storing a piece of fruit and a granola bar or two for a quick energy boost when needed.

13. Vitamins and Supplements Tailored To Your Needs

While it's always recommended to maintain a well-rounded diet, we understand how it can be difficult to get all of the nutrients you need (especially if you work more than 8 hours a day!) Taking a multivitamin or supplements can be a great way to fill in the gaps left in your diet. Many find that their energy levels and moods are often better after they improve their nutrition levels. 

Do your research and speak with your health professional or nutritionist to evaluate your specific needs. They may be able to recommend a certain supplement or vitamin that can help improve any deficiencies in your current diet.

14. SPF For Glowing, Healthy Skin

Preventative skincare is your best line of defense against sun damage and aging. This means that applying your favorite sunblock goes far beyond than the beach- you need to be doing it everyday! A quality SPF of 30 or more can do wonders to prevent wrinkles and uneven skin tone and, most importantly, help decrease your chances of developing skin cancer.

There are a myriad of brands out there that offer different products for each person's skin type and shade. There are two main forms of SPF, Physical and Chemical, and they can be found in creams, sprays, and lotions, depending on your preference. 

If there is one part of your skincare routine that you don't want to miss, its sun protection.

15. Real Ingredients For A Nourishing Diet

Wholesome, natural ingredients are almost always better for your health. Shopping for organic and less-processed foods make for tastier meals and a better diet overall. When you know what you're eating, you can more easily control what goes into your body and fuel it with better choices. Whether you eat plant-based or not, choosing to cook with real ingredients will show in your body with increased vitality and energy.

Get well-aquainted with local markets, butchers and farmers, or learn to grow your own food at home. You can even freeze ahead a majority of homemade sauces, soups, and meals, as well as a variety of fruits and veggies, to make it more cost-efficient. Once you limit overly-processed or fast-foods, you can notice an immediate improvement in your health.

At the end of the day, you are ultimately in charge of your life and your health. Feel free to decide which of these essentials you'd like to try and do your own research into finding better options more suited for your lifestyle. Don't be afraid to reach out to those around you for help, and be sure to find a support system of people who have your wellbeing and best interests at heart. 

What are some of your top health essentials? Share with us below!