If you’re a woman who is practically always on the go, you know how hard it can be to prioritize your health and well-being while managing all of your other responsibilities. But what if you’d like to start living a healthier lifestyle and eliminate the stressors of the daily grind? For instance, maybe you want to start cooking more nutritious meals, create a relaxing bedtime routine, or start a new fitness routine. From learning how to meal prep to sneaking more activity into your day, these tips from Official Fitness and Health will help you create a lifestyle that supports your well-being!
Create an Active Schedule
Before you rush to sign up for a gym membership, think about how you can be more active on a daily basis. Could you walk or bike to work instead of driving? Can you take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator? Rather than hopping in your car to run errands, could you slip into your sneakers and walk? These are all simple ways to add some easy cardio into your day.
Make Time for Exercise
In addition to simply moving your body more often daily, you’ll want to start making time for workouts. As long as you can find 20 to 30 minutes of free time for exercise, you’ll see the benefits! Anything from running to power yoga to pilates will be effective. At first, it might be hard to finish tough workouts, but it will get easier over time.
You may need to invest in some workout gear before you start working out regularly. Ideally, you’ll want to pick out athletic wear that makes you feel comfortable and confident while you exercise! You don’t need to sacrifice style when you’re working out. Choose a few items, like tank tops, leggings, socks, and sports bras. For maximum comfort, purchase bras that are easy to wear and don’t include underwire.
Meal Prep on Weekends
When you’re busy all week long, cooking on weeknights can feel too overwhelming. Instead of ordering takeout, why not spend some time meal prepping on the weekends? To make meal-prepping simple and efficient, Healthline suggests planning out exactly which meals you want to make, making large batches of specific recipes, and then portioning out and refrigerating them for the next few days.
Reach for Healthy Snacks
If you’re stressed during the workday, you might reach for sugary or salty snacks to keep you going. But keeping healthy snacks on hand at home and at the office will help you feel your best physically and mentally. Instead of getting chips or cookies from the vending machine or picking up candy from the snack aisle, One Ingredient Chef recommends trying dates with nut butter, sliced apples with tahini, air-popped popcorn, cashews, or jicama chips. And if you do keep a few guilty pleasures around, make sure to keep them stored in the back of the pantry.
Drink More Water
Staying hydrated is just as important as eating a nutritious diet! Perhaps you often find yourself feeling parched throughout the day, and rather than drinking water, you tend to crave soda, iced tea, or fruit juice. But sipping on sweet beverages isn’t the best choice for your health, and relying on caffeine can leave you feeling jittery and anxious. Choose a cute water bottle and start making a habit of bringing it with you wherever you go! You can even add flavors to your water to jazz it up a little bit.
Find Ways to Unplug
Even when you’re off the clock, you might feel like you’re still attached to your devices. Kicking your screen time habit is key to living a truly healthy lifestyle. To reduce your screen time and avoid feeling bored, you’ll want to find other activities to replace it with! For instance, you might want to set your phone aside and go for a walk, read a book, or do something creative.
Enjoy Supplemental Therapies
Any form of relaxation therapy can be a boon for your overall wellness. A monthly deep tissue massage, for instance, will help work out tight muscles and release tension. A regular Reiki session enables you to find healing. Additionally, working with an Ayurvedic specialist can help you stay balanced internally and externally throughout the seasons. You can even try reflexology to boost brain power and eliminate toxins.
Improve Your Sleep Routine
Finally, you’ll want to address your sleep routine. If your schedule is packed, you might struggle to get enough sleep most nights. But if you’re constantly exhausted, you won’t be able to perform your best at work or enjoy your time off. Try establishing a regular bedtime routine that helps you drift off to sleep. For example, you could spend fifteen minutes doing yoga and five to ten minutes meditating before you head to bed. Consider also adding an essential oil diffuser to your bedroom to add soothing scents or simply invest in a rollerball with a sleep-focused essential blend.
When you’re managing a busy schedule, it can be tough to find the time to take care of yourself. Today, countless women are juggling professional obligations while taking care of their families, and wellness is the first thing sacrificed when you’re short on time. But by implementing these simple tips, you can minimize the stress of the daily grind and change your lifestyle for the better.