We live in a world of information overload. There is always something to be doing, and it can feel impossible to keep up with everything we need to do. This inevitably leads us to come up with excuses not to take care of ourselves or our families. We’re all guilty of this at some point or another, but the important thing is that we don’t let it become a habit! To help you out, here are ten practices that will create a healthier lifestyle for you and your family:
1. Spend Time in Meal Planning
Sit down on Sunday and plan out your meals for the week. This will give you a general idea of what to expect, make it easier to prepare healthy foods in advance, and save valuable time during the week when you’re busy with after-work activities or family responsibilities. In addition, it is a good idea to do your grocery shopping at the end of the week, just before you go home for the night. This way, if you need anything else from the store during that week (such as ingredients or staples), there’s no excuse not to get them because they will already be in your cart!
2. Drink More Water
We all know that staying hydrated is essential, but it’s easy to let other things get in the way of drinking enough water throughout the day. If you have trouble remembering to drink water, set a reminder on your phone or keep a bottle by your computer at work, so you’re reminded every time you look at it. In addition, if any of us fall into an unconscious habit of reaching for soda when we feel thirsty – stop! Instead, opt for some good old H20 (tap works just fine).
Many people think they need to purchase expensive drinks like Vitamin Water or Gatorade after exercising; however, this isn’t true. Just reach for plain ol’ tap water instead and mix with fruit juice as needed. It’s just as good for you! This is why it’s essential to drink more water. We all know how dehydrating alcohol can be, causing us to feel even thirstier the next day. So while drinking a glass of water before bed will not necessarily cause you to wake up in time for your morning workout, it does help hydrate you and stop you from over-indulging in the sugary drinks that are likely to be found at a typical brunch outing.
3. Take a Break From Alcohol
When was the last time you had a full day off headaches from drinking alcohol? If it hasn’t been a while, chances are your body is dehydrated and suffering from some sugar crash. This isn’t to say that one or two drinks here and there aren’t okay; but an entire weekend filled with nothing but sugary cocktails can have lasting effects on both your skin (hello breakouts!) and moods. Try taking at least half of every weekend away from all alcoholic beverages for optimal health benefits!
4. Clean The Air
By now, we all know how important it is to clean our indoor air. Unfortunately, we are exposed to so many harmful toxins daily – especially if you live in an urban area or use harsh cleaning products around your house (or both). Not only do these things cause us immediate discomfort and irritation when they’re present in the air we breathe, but research has shown that long-term exposure can lead to serious health problems like lung cancer. The great news? There are tons of natural ways to purify the air inside homes without having any adverse side effects! Innovative technology can make an extraordinary difference in the quality of the air we breathe; you can see Molekule on Instagram for healthy air tips. By cleaning the air you breathe, you ultimately create a much cleaner and healthier environment for you and your family.
5. Go Offline
You’ve heard of this before: the idea that taking some time away from your phone, TV, or computer will help you get “unplugged” and reap significant benefits. People who take regular breaks from technology often report higher levels of satisfaction in life and improved mental health – especially when it comes to anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms. If these aren’t enough reasons for you to power down on occasion, consider the fact that humans are not meant to be constantly stimulated by bright screens! Try going offline (at least during dinner) once per week so everyone can fully enjoy their meal without being interrupted mid-bite by texts/emails etc.
6. Get Enough Rest
Everyone knows the importance of a good night’s sleep. While we may not be able to control whether or not our children stay up late, grown adults have no excuse for skimping on shut-eye! We all need to recharge in order to function properly throughout the day and maintain healthy mental/physical states; so don’t neglect it! Avoid caffeine after lunchtime so you can get ready for bed earlier that night (and fall asleep faster), as well as set your alarm clock an extra half hour early just in case you wake up before it goes off. This ensures that even if you wake before your alarm sounds, you’ll still have enough time to prepare yourself for the morning ahead without rushing or panicking about being late for work.
7. Exercise More Regularly
Exercise (especially with your family!) is one of the best ways to clear your mind and boost energy levels. Not only does it make you feel better about yourself in terms of physical appearance, but studies have shown that exercising regularly can actually improve both moods and emotional well-being as well! If possible, try not to exercise within an hour or two before bed – this will give your body time to wind down for sleep rather than stay revved up from a workout. Morning workouts are great too, if this fits into your schedule; just be sure not to work out right after lunchtime (as with caffeine), so you’re completely relaxed by the time nighttime rolls around. Whether going for a walk outside or joining a gym/yoga studio near you, find something you enjoy so it won’t feel like a chore and stick to doing it at least three times per week.
8. Wake Up Early
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” -Benjamin Franklin. Waking up even just half an hour earlier than usual each day can have notable benefits. For one thing, you’ll be able to fit in more exercise before heading out for the day – which is always a good idea! Getting your workout done first also ensures that you’re not too tired or stressed later on when it comes time for dinner/television etc. It will help keep both your mind & body sharp throughout the entire day and make it easier to get into bed at night with enough time left over, so you don’t wake up feeling rushed (or worse: still tired). You can also check out our 7 tips to get better sleep for more advice on sleep and your health!
9. Practice a New Hobby
Everyone needs time to relax and have fun. Whether it’s a sport, craft, or just something you’ve always wanted to try but never had the chance, make an effort to do at least one new thing every month if this puts you in mind of your New Year’s resolutions for 2017 – great! This is part of determining whether those goals are still realistic after a year has passed (and encourages us not to give up on them). Even if there isn’t enough time this month for anything too major, pick out one smaller activity that sounds interesting (like learning how to sew) and set aside some free time each week so you can enjoy doing it without feeling pressured by our hectic schedules as adults.
10. Spend Time Outside
Even if it’s just sitting on your porch or backyard for an hour in the morning with a cup of coffee, try to spend at least half an hour per day outside. Whether you’re enjoying nature & scenery by yourself or spending time with friends/family members while playing sports etc., being surrounded by fresh air and bright sun can have countless benefits – for both body & mind! Studies show that even small amounts of exposure to natural light (particularly early in the morning) help regulate moods as well as improve sleep quality & duration.
Although many people think that making the change from an unhealthy to a healthy lifestyle seems difficult and even impossible, there are several simple steps you can take in order to make this transition easier for yourself (and your family). From exercising more regularly and getting adequate amounts of sleep & sunlight exposure each day – to trying new hobbies or activities at least once per month – there’s plenty of ways you can be proactive towards creating a healthier lifestyle without feeling overwhelmed by all the changes it will require. Hopefully, these tips were helpful! If nothing else, hopefully, they have inspired you enough to pursue the art of living a healthy lifestyle.
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