6 Easy Ways to Be Healthier
Long term goals are great and we can all agree that your health won’t change overnight but sometimes you need some short term motivation to get you going. You already know that you should drink more water and take the stairs but here are 6 (slightly unconventional) easy ways to jump start your health!
1. Set a curfew for e-mail. If you go to bed at 10pm, don’t let yourself check your e-mail past 9pm. A task like that gets your brain working in overdrive. Pretty soon you’re tossing and turning in bed trying to solve a problem as you fall asleep… and you won’t remember the answer in the morning.
2. Set a “Do Not Disturb” time on your phone. I have mine sent from 10pm – 7am meaning I don’t get any notifications during that time. (If someone calls twice, it’ll ring the second time, so you don’t have to worry about emergency calls.) It means your phone won’t be lighting up all night with Groupon offers and Instagram notifications.
3. Make a workout-only playlist. I’m guilty of listening to my favorite song on repeat until I’m sick of it. But now I try to put those make-me-wanna-run songs into a list that I only listen to at the gym. That way when I hear those songs, they always get me moving!
4. Make dinner at home. Eating out will almost always mean extra calories, large portion sizes, and not-so-good for your choices. Cooking at home can also save you some $$$. Plus, recipes don’t have to be complicated. I’ve got a whole list of 5-ingredient recipes for you!
5. Eat a meatless meal. While you’re at it, skip out on meat. Vegetable based meals are good for your heart, better for the environment, and you might find you don’t even miss it! Don’t know what to make? I’ve got tons of easy meatless recipes for you!
6. Eat out of a bowl… not the container. We all know that eating straight from the bag will result in eating more… but we still do it. If you struggle with portion control, take things to the next level and pre-portion tempting snacks. Tackle that giant bag of pretzels and separate it out into sandwich bags filled with individual servings. It’ll be easier to grab a snack on the go and you won’t be tempted to eat the whole bag.
Those are a few of the things that keep me in check. I don’t always follow these rules (even when I know I should!) but all these little things do help! Healthy living doesn’t have to be difficult. Make small changes and they’ll start adding up to big results!
What are some healthy habits that are easy to incorporate into your routine?
These are some great tips, especially setting an email shut off time. I tend to check everything right before I plug my phone in and get in bed, and it does lead to tossing and turning!
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I’ve noticed that I can fall asleep much easier if I disconnect before bedtime. I’ve started reading again before I go to sleep and it has made a world of difference (now if I could only stay asleep throughout the night!) Pregnancy problems…
This is a great list though, Liz. I agree with everything you mentioned.
Eating dinner at home has been a huge help in keeping my diet clean and healthy. and I love the idea of a computer curfew although I have yet to implement one
Great list! Easy to start making mindfulness and health happen today. Thanks for the insights!
While this is a fabulous list filled with great ideas, I have to say that I am most drawn to that GORGEOUS picture of you. Holy smokes Liz, I thought it was a freaking model/ad. Can you tone down the beautiful there lady? 😉
All of these are awesome tips, Liz, and some I hadn’t thought of yet. Sometimes those lists can get repetitive but you did a great job coming up with new ideas here. (:
I wish I was better at #1. Reading on my laptop until shortly before bed – not just e-mails but everything – is my downfall. When I know I’d get way more sleep and be more productive if I -did- set a time to call it quits.
The workout playlist idea is one I really need to keep in mind. Actually, I stopped listening to music at all because I’ve been getting so bored of my previous favourites. Now I just need to start finding some new workout music inspiration …
All around great advice! Love the tip about putting your phone on do not disturb!
These are fantastic. It’s not as common-sense as most “ways to be healthy” posts and articles.
Great tips! I’ve been trying to make more of an effort to leave my phone downstairs at night and unplug by 8:30. It’s just so hard when that’s really the only time I get to do any work all day. But it’s so important to spend time with my husband!
Excellent list. I’m happy that I already do #1.
I also leave my phone in the living room at night. I know people that the first thing they do before even getting out of bed is grab their phone and check it. I like the idea of DND, that way you won’t miss an emergency call. But maybe put it out of reach?
Yes! I have my phone charging on the nightstand next to my husband (not next to me) so I can’t fall asleep with it in my hands haha.