Easy Health Tips for Busy Lifestyles
Have Breakfast
It’s important for a bunch of reasons. It jump-starts your metabolism and stops you from overeating later. Plus, studies show that adults who have a healthy breakfast do better at work, and kids who eat a morning meal score higher on tests. If a big plateful first thing isn’t for you, keep it light with a granola bar or a piece of fruit. Just don’t skip it.
KEEP WATER ON THE NIGHTSTAND
It can do so many good things for you. Staying hydrated is at the top of the list, but it may also help you lose weight. Another reason to go for H2O? Sugary drinks are linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
FREEZE THINGS
If your fridge is full and your freezer is empty, it’s time to make a shift. For one, frozen fruits and veggies are frozen at their peak, so if certain produce is not in season, you may not be getting the best quality. Second, frozen foods are often cheaper and last longer (duh), ensuring that you have more time to eat all the good stuff you stocked up on before it spoils. Speaking of food spoilage, find out 25 Ways to Use Almost-Spoiled Food!
Don’t Smoke
If you light up, quit. It’s a big move toward better health. Your body repairs itself quickly. As soon as 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your heart rate and blood pressure drop. Why wait? Kick the habit, today. Your doctor will be happy to help you get started.
Sleep Well
There are almost too many benefits to list. A good night’s sleep keeps you in a better mood, sharpens memory and focus, and helps you learn new things. In the long term, it lowers your risk of heart disease and helps you keep trim. Aim to get 7 to 9 hours a night. For the best rest, do it on schedule — turning in and waking up at about the same times every day.
BE ACTIVE Workout Routines
Strength training helps your body trade fat for muscle mass. That means you’ll burn more calories even when you’re being a couch potato. But these workouts can also help you slim down, strengthen your heart, and build up your bones. Do strength-training exercises — like push-ups, lunges, and weight lifting — at least twice a week.
Gym Workout
If you ask anyone for advice on losing weight, it’s likely that cardio will come up in the conversation. While getting your heart rate up and burning calories is important, lifting weights and building muscle will actually result in a higher metabolism.
EAT CARBS EVERY DAY
Carbohydrates give your body the energy it needs to function properly and make it through the day. Just as not all calories are created equal, not all carbs are created equal. Complex carbohydrates like oatmeal and sweet potatoes take longer for your body to break down and as a result provide a steady supply of energy and work to ward off hunger pangs. Why not try out some overnight oatsthat everyone is buzzing about?
Head Outdoors
A few minutes in the sunshine raises vitamin D levels, and that’s good for your bones, your heart, and your mood. Plus, being outside means you’re more likely to move your body instead of parking it in front of the TV or computer. Choose nature over city streets, if you can. One study found that people who strolled in urban green spaces were calmer than people who walked in built-up areas.
