Major Healthier Living Habits
Big news!
Just kidding, no proposals over here, but I do have some exciting tips n’ tricks to share on upping your healthy living!
But first, some mem[orie]s from my last month visiting friends, family and kicking it in Virginia Beach.
“Love one another and you will be happy. It’s as simple and difficult as that.”
-Michael Leunig
I ended my vacation in Virginia Beach for a couple of weeks to unplug and recharge. Even if you can’t take a physical vacation, you can always take a mental one through relaxing.
Highly recommend!
And without further ado, Healthier Living Habits That Work for Everyone
Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t about making one monumental decision. For the vast majority of people, living a healthy lifestyle is about the dozens of tiny decisions we make each and every day. Focusing on small decisions you can make on a daily basis is a great way to see head-to-toe health results.
Here are some examples of easy ways to incorporate better habits into your life, regardless of how busy you are currently.
Physical Activity
Not every workout regimen requires endless hours at the gym. Greatist recommends interval training or short, high-intensity workouts. These can take only 20 minutes but are highly effective. If you feel you are too busy even to set aside less than half an hour, then you can still work physical activity into your daily life. Park further away from your office building and walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Do simple exercises while working at your desk or while watching your favorite television show. Every little movement adds up, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.
If your life is highly stressful because of work or family obligations, then you may want to consider a physical activity like yoga or meditation that simultaneously addresses your mental state. Stress is linked to negative health outcomes, so address your stress. Even just a few minutes of meditation a day could have you feeling more grounded and, in turn, make you better able to make the right decisions and improve your life.
Another effective way to get physical activity is to focus on fun accomplishments over workouts. Inc. points out that hiking a trail is likely to feel more fun (and be more motivating) than completing five miles on a treadmill. So focus on things like riding a bicycle to your friend’s house or walking to a nearby coffee shop, getting a snack, and walking back home.
Nutrition
Completely overhauling your current diet would be quite the undertaking. If that’s not doable right now, then focus on small food substitutions instead. One medical center recommends swapping white bread, rice, and pasta for whole-grain versions. These are much better for your body and won’t dramatically change the meals you prepare for you and your family.
Also, drinking more water, drinking less sugary sodas, and refraining from adding additional salt to your meals are other healthy habits you can do that don’t require additional preparation or thought.
Monetize It
Don’t worry. We’re not suggesting you quit your job to become a full-time jazzercise instructor. However, if possible, take on hobbies or side gigs that require some physical activity. One great option is to become a dog walker.
Not only will you get some exercise, you will get to spend time with dogs and get fresh air outdoors. Both of those are great for the mind and spirit. Similarly, you might pick up gardening as a hobby. You could learn to grow your own fruits or veggies, which would reduce your grocery bill. If you have a particularly fruitful season, you could even sell them (or gift them) to those around you.
The benefits of smaller decisions like these all build off one another. The tips here are just the beginning. Use them as a jumping-off point to reconsider all of the dozens of small decisions you make each and every day. You may find that once you begin to look at a healthy lifestyle in this way, it will be easier to make the bigger decisions.
Happy summer yall!
