There’s no denying why it’s so important to lead a healthy lifestyle. Your chance of cancer and disease go down, your body is stronger, you look and feel great, and much more. To lead a healthy lifestyle doesn’t just mean eat better and work out more, although that definitely helps. There are plenty of ways you can go about a life that’s happy and healthy. The CGS Team is sharing 30 ways, some simple and some not as simple, to lead a healthy and happy life.
30 ideas to lead a healthy lifestyle…
#1 Drink Your Greens
Some of us struggle with getting the right amount of vegetables we need on a daily basis. Let’s face it, for most of us vegetables aren’t the first thing we think to eat when we’re hungry. That doesn’t mean we don’t need them! Instead of worrying yourself with how to get more leafy, green veggies in your diet, drink them! Make a green smoothie every morning before work, or pick one up at your local juice shop.
#2 Take the Stairs
If you have the option of taking stairs or an elevator, take the stairs! Even if it’s only one floor up, you will be giving your legs a nice burn and your heart rate will definitely go up more than just standing in an elevator.
#3 Smile More
Healthiness also comes from being happy. It’s been proven that smiling more tricks your brain into feeling happier. If you are having a long day, start smiling at everyone you come across. You’ll feel better in no time.
#4 Read Food Labels
Knowing what comes in the food you eat allows you to make the decision to eat it or not. Betty Crocker’s Lasagna may sound tasty, but what preservatives were added to it to keep it fresh? Learn how to read a nutrition label.
#5 Maximize Your Workouts
If you can’t always get to the gym, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, make sure when you are working out that you are maximizing it to the best of your abilities. Each workout should be a killer workout!
#6 Get a Good Night’s Sleep
When the busyness of life takes over, it can be hard to get good sleep. You may be up at 2AM thinking about a presentation or big project. Try your best to make your night’s sleep the best it can be. Set the right mood, invest in some calming oil, and no cell phones allowed.
#7 Declutter Your Home
You can declutter your way to happiness! Keep an organized home, room, desk or closet can push stress and worry away, making you happier and healthier. Not to mention, who knows what may be living under that never-ending pile of junk!
#8 Drink More Water
Our body needs water to survive at its best state. Experts recommend everyone should be drinking 8 8oz glasses of water every day. If you are working out regularly, that number goes up. You can never drink enough water, so make it a goal to drink more. You will notice positive changes too.
#9 Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time
Meal prepping and planning can save you time and money. Schedule out a set day or two every week to make your meals for the days ahead. Meal planning allows you to make healthier food choices.
#10 Snack Smartly
Just one wrong snack can ruin your healthy eating habits, and set your progress back tremendously. Isn’t it funny how that happens? Avoid that altogether by having healthy snacks handy, especially at work. Check out some of our favorite healthy snacks for the office.
#11 Get Some Sun
Most people are not getting enough Vitamin D, which comes from direct exposure to the sun. Even on chilly days, make it a point to get outside and let the sun shine on your face. Don’t forget the SPF though!
#12 Schedule in Your Workouts
You have a much higher success rate of actually working out if it’s planned ahead of time. At the beginning of each week, schedule in your workouts. If your work schedule never changes, it shouldn’t be too hard to get a few set days and times. If your schedule changes, refer to your calendar before planning workouts.
#13 Practice Gratitude
We often forget to take a minute and smell the roses. We’re focused on the next goal, the next project, or the next sale. Try to wake up 5 minutes earlier each day and think of 3-5 things that you are truly thankful for. Take it to the next level by starting a Gratitude Journal and writing it down.
#14 Engage Your Brain
After scrolling through social media, or watching Netflix, don’t you feel a little brain dead? Those activities won’t stimulate your brain as much as reading a book, doing a puzzle or playing a brain game. Improve your memory and your brain by engaging in brain-enhancing activities.
#15 Don’t Drink Your Calories
We all love a good Starbucks Frappuccino, but if you are taking the time to read the nutrition facts, you’ll know it’s loaded with calories. Drinking your calories, in the form of tasty coffee mixtures, soda, or alcoholic beverages, can quickly put you over your daily calorie limit. Drink more water and stay away from drinks that can ruin your figure.
#16 Go Outdoors
Switch up your workout routine by throwing an occasional walk in the park into the mix. Pay attention to what you see, smell and hear. Get close to nature, and you will feel great. Even if you are in the city, take the time to look up and notice how the sky looks that day.
#17 Set Goals
Always set goals for yourself. These goals don’t just have to be for health and fitness. Set goals for any area of your life that you want to do better in – finances, relationships, career, and wellness.
#18 Eat Slower
Eating quickly can end in a too-full tummy. Do your waist a favor by eating slower. Enjoy the food you’re eating and try to pinpoint the flavors you are tasting.
#19 Relax a Little
While it’s important to lead an active lifestyle, it’s also just as important to take some time to relax and unwind. Take a bath, read a book, play a game. Whatever allows you to unwind, make it a point to do it as consistently as possible.
#20 Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
If you are following trainers on social media, make sure you are following for the inspiration. Comparing your body to theirs is unfair to you and unrealistic. No two bodies are the same, and what works for them may not work for you. Get inspired by others, but stop comparing!
#21 Cut out (or Cut Back) Negative People
No one needs added negativity in their life. If there are certain people, places or things that are causing you to feel negative or stressed out, cut them back or cut them out completely.
#22 Incorporate Weights into Your Workouts
Cardio is great, but weight-lifting can do wonders for women looking to burn fat and tone up. Don’t worry, you won’t become a body-builder; but you will feel stronger and look better!
#23 Track Your Eating
MyFitnessPal is an amazing app to track your daily food and exercise intake. You can see if you are eating more or less than you should be for healthy success.
#24 Make the Most of Your Foods
Superfoods are a great way to get as many vitamins and nutrients in your system at one setting. These foods will keep you healthy, energetic and stress free. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that you are already incorporating superfoods into your diet. Checkout a few surprising superfoods.
#25 Compliment Yourself
If you complete a project, look good in a certain top or color, or killed your workout – compliment yourself! Giving yourself some props can make you feel better and leads to a better self-image.
#26 Control Your Portions
It’s not always about what you eat, but how much you eat. A little bit of a bad food isn’t as detrimental to your health as a lot of a bad food. Focus on controlling your portions when you eat, especially when it’s something that can set you back.
#27 Take Walk Breaks
Working at a computer all day means you are sitting all day. Every 1-2 hours, stand up and walk around. If you have the option to take a 10-15 minute walk break, seize the opportunity! If not, go for walks on your lunch. Sedentary living is not good for your health.
#28 Do Self Breast Checks
You should be getting a breast check at your annual doctor’s visit, but doing your own breast checks in between visits can save your life. Each month, check your breasts for any lumps or new moles. Keep an eye on anything that may look suspicious, and don’t hesitate to call a doctor.
#29 Protect Your Skin
Protecting your skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun can keep you looking younger and prevent skin cancer. Never leave the house without your SPF. Check out some of our favorite SPF Moisturizers and Under-Makeup Sunscreens.
#30 Try New Recipes
Peruse Pinterest to get tasty recipe ideas to try. This is a great way to incorporate new foods and ensure you aren’t bored with the same meals over and over.
Related: 21 Ways to Be Happier and More Motivated
If you haven’t noticed from the list above, there are plenty of ways you can lead a healthier lifestyle. Small changes now can lead to big results over time. What do you do on a daily basis to lead the healthiest life you can? Leave a comment below to share!
