Life makes it hard to stay healthy. Between your job, kids, random responsibilities, and the temptations of daily life, it can be a struggle to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. Many people give up on healthy activities because they simply don’t have the time or because it’s hard to incorporate them into their everyday lives. A true overall health plan will involve some sacrifices, and you’ll have to make time to eat right and get the proper amount of exercise. But getting started isn’t hard. There are some easy things you can do right now to get yourself on a healthier path.
Alter Your Liquid Consumption
When it comes to head-to-toe health, there’s really nothing easier and more effective than proper hydration. One thing you can do right now to get yourself on a healthier path is to replace some of your beverages with the gold standard: H2O. Eight glasses of water a day is a standard rule of thumb, but the amount varies by person, their fitness and their lifestyle.
The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women. While this sounds like a lot, all of your hydration doesn’t need to strictly come from water. These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages and food. About 20 percent of fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks. Many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and spinach, are almost 100-percent water by weight.
Carry a water bottle at all times. Switching out soda, juice and sweetened teas for water will save you hundreds of calories every day. Drinking enough water also helps your skin, and it prevents you from overeating (water can make you feel fuller).
Focus on How You Eat
Everyone knows they need to eat better -- but you can also change the manner in which you eat for positive effects. Try using smaller plates. You’ll be more likely to feel satisfied and less likely to go for seconds. Try to slow down and actually chew your food. Let your brain catch up to your stomach.
“Chopsticks aren't just for Asian cuisine. Using chopsticks allows you to pace your meal more slowly and digest food better. You will also feel full earlier than if you were eating faster with a knife and fork,” suggests Elite Daily.
Get a Dog
The health benefits of canine companions have been proven over and over again. Dogs can actually improve your heart health through helping you maintain a physical lifestyle and keeping you motivated.
The American Heart Association notes that owning pets and reducing your risk of heart disease are related. Pets also play an essential social support role, which factors into sticking with a habit or establishing a new, healthy behavior.
Take the Long Route
Making extra time to exercise is hard for people with busy schedules, so you must find ways to incorporate extra activity into your everyday life. One way to do this is to add extra walking into everything you do.
Park further away at the grocery store. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator whenever possible. If you ride a bus or subway to work, get off a stop or two before your destination and walk the rest of the way. Or better yet, take a bike to work.
If you’d like to bike to work but don’t live in an area that accommodates bikes, consider a move to a bike-friendly city like Austin which has many bike lanes and trails. Fortunately, Austin has affordable apartments—with some one-bedroom apartments in the suburbs renting for as little as $600 per month. Groceries, gas, and utilities are reasonably priced as well.
Always Carry a Healthy Snack
Snacking isn’t unhealthy. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Snacking keeps your metabolism going and prevents gorging at regular mealtimes. But not all snacking is created equal. In order to prevent poor snack choices, it’s important to always carry healthy snacks like nuts, carrots or fruit. Keep these healthy snacks in your car, at your desk at work, or in your purse.
Choosing one or all of these tips is a quick and easy way to help reach your goals toward better health. Once incorporated in your everyday life, other ideas for better living are sure to follow.
Rent a bike or book a tour with Austin Bike Tour and Rentals! 512-277-0609
