Simple Steps to Look and Feel Healthier
By Sandy Schroeder
Now may be the time to skip all of those elaborate resolutions, jumping to some practical steps that really work to improve your health and well-being.
Use Nuts to Cut Junk Food – Mixed nuts and seeds are a great substitute for snack that are unhealthy. They will fill you up and deliver healthy minerals, vitamins and nutrients.
Ditch Hidden Sugars – Check labels for sugar content and watch out for hidden sugars in pasta sauce, catsup and other processed foods. Add up the sugar as you go in soft drinks, cookies, juices and desserts. Then cut back, substituting fresh or dried fruits or small bites of chocolate as a sweet treat.
Get Work and Life Balanced – Letting the two mingle constantly can rob you of the rest and relaxation that you really need. Make bringing work home the exception, and try to schedule regular breaks with afternoons off and weekends away. You will be amazed how much better work goes when you’re not hovering on the edge of burnout.
Hide Your Phone – Turn off any notifications that aren't absolutely necessary and stash the phone at dinner and bedtime. Keeping those areas separate can lead to some delightful meals with real conversations, and some restful nights.
Find One Exercise That Feels Great – When you really enjoy swimming, dancing or yoga, it doesn’t feel like exercise. Build it into your schedule and then switch to another favorite when that one loses its spark.
Try New Foods Weekly – Check out a local farmer’s market and try a few new vegetables or fruits. Then look for good ways to fix them on a site such as Epicurious.com. They may not all become favorites, but a few might be unexpected stars and healthy additions to your menu.
Get Up an Hour Earlier – Use the time to plan your day, meditate, or just sit and contemplate life over coffee. Make that hour the special time of day to get your bearings. You might be amazed how much better the days go, and new ideas turn up.
Enlist a Friend’s Support – If you just can’t get away from those double burgers and fries at lunch, find a lunch buddy who’s up for trying new lunch spots to help you try new soup, salad, and veggie eateries.
Develop a New Interest – If you have always wanted to try watercolors, do it now. Watching too much TV, or spending too much time on the internet, can be replaced by art, writing, photography, or martial arts classes.
Whatever steps you choose to take to look healthier and be healthier, hang on to the ones that really work and enjoy the results.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.