- Create A List
Creating lists are great ways to organize your daily tasks and to keep tabs on what you need to prioritize, especially if you have a busy schedule. This will help you stay focused on remembering what is most valuable to you, and can be a great way to keep yourself accountable if you are trying to stay active and healthy. When you are done with a task, it can also be very satisfying to cross off or check-mark your completed task!
- Follow Simple Food Recipes
When trying to eat healthy, it can be challenging to come up with tasty dishes, but if you follow some easy and simple food recipes, this can spare you some time and meal prep. Additionally, if you chose a few recipes that are simple and quick, you are more likely to be consistent and able to make meals instantly, versus being tempted to reach for something unhealthy. A salad with grilled chicken and vegetables is one dish that is easy to make in less than 10 minutes. Another tip is to stick to a dish that requires 5 ingredients or less!
- Create a Consistent Workout Schedule
Although some days can be more challenging than others to motivate ourselves to exercise, creating a consistent and personalized workout schedule that is easy to stick to is a great way to stay healthy and fit! Whether this schedule consists of walking or running 20-30 minutes a day, or maybe going to the gym a few times a week, a consistent exercise schedule will definitely improve your overall physical health! It will also get your blood and heart rate pumping!
- Relax
Believe it or not, as cliche as it may sound, taking time out of your day to do something that requires little stress or allows for quiet and peace is an excellent way to take care of yourself. A few ideas may include taking time to meditate, taking time to quietly journal or pray, taking a warm bath or going for a walk outside could all help you relax your body and reduce your stress levels. It is also important to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle overall.
- Watch Your Food Portion Sizes
Sometimes, our eyes seem to be bigger than our stomachs! Watching your portions can prevent overeating and adding excess calories! Pay attention to your stomach’s food feelings and go by your own intuition.
- Drink Water Throughout Your Day
According to Healthline, experts recommend that each day we drink enough water to stay hydrated and to maintain the function of bodily fluids. Additionally, drinking water has many other health benefits and it is especially important because it can improve our overall exercise performance and may improve our overall moods and memories.
- Make Sleep a Top Priority.
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just mean committing to eating a healthy diet and regularly exercising, it also means taking a look at our own sleeping schedules to ensure that we are taking the necessary steps to give our bodies enough time to rest. Healthy sleep routines can also boost your energy levels and keep your hormones functioning properly!
- Listen to Music.
Many studies have shown that music has the ability to positively change your mood. It also has the ability to make you happier, enhance your running performance, can reduce depression, and enhance your learning and memory. Also, who doesn’t enjoy a fun music party?! Music can provide an outlet to freedom of depression! Different types of music or songs can also be meaningful and remind us of our past experiences and special memories as well.
- Surround Yourself with Supportive, Loving and Positive People.
Connecting with your friends (even if it’s virtually) is important to maintain connections and not feel isolated. It is also helpful to seek advice and wisdom and bond with others who have similar interests to you as well! While life is an adventure, it is also comforting to have people who will accept and lift you up even in the challenging moments of life.
- Dance.
Dance is a great form of exercise and both music and dance go hand in hand! Singing and dancing can boost creativity and can easily help improve a child’s social skills starting from a young age. Overall, dance serves as a great way to get your body in motion and it can be a great stress release opportunity as well!
By AnneMarie Hoopes