Between work and family obligations, most adults are too busy. Too often, we prioritize what we do for others over our own well-being. Wise people say that you cannot take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself but fitting in self-care takes time. Here are 7 super healthy habits you can easily fit into your daily routines that deliver a lot of value for your time.
1. Hydrate
We cannot say this enough: hydrate. The benefits of proper hydration range from better-looking skin to better digestion to mental clarity. Making sure you’re drinking enough water each day can be as simple as carrying around a refillable water bottle and setting some hydration goals. How much water you need depends on a variety of factors such as your age, health, level of activity, and humidity Check out the recommendations for your particular needs.
2. Plan Your Meals
Planning your meals for colors rather than calories will
help ensure you eat the daily recommendations of 2 cups of fruits and 2.5 cups
of vegetables per day. Some people recommend you aim for five colors of fruits
and vegetables per meal, but that can be difficult to achieve. A more
manageable goal is 2-3 different colors per meal and 2 for each snack. If you
are one of the many people who doesn’t currently reach the recommended daily
amounts of fruits and vegetables, an easy way to start is by adding one green
vegetable to every meal or a glass of water with a teaspoon and a half of Superberries Aroniaberry Concentrate mixed in.
3. Exercise
Everyone tells us to exercise, and in this country, the
focus of exercise seems to be on maintaining a healthy weight. Making sure you
reach a minimum of 10,000 steps per day, however, has far more benefits. Daily
exercise can improve your heart health, cholesterol levels, blood pressure,
risk of disease, balance, mental acuity, and mood. Find an exercise you enjoy,
alone or with a friend, so you’ll be more likely to maintain a routine and
build a habit. If you can’t do that, do what you can such as take the stairs at
work, get up from your desk and move around periodically, or stand while you answer
phone calls.
4. Turn off the screens.
The light from screens can
interrupt our sleep patterns, especially when we use them too close to bedtime.
That’s not the only reason to limit screen time, though. Too often we can get
sucked into social media or online articles and find that we haven’t
accomplished the goals we set for ourselves each day. Taking time to unplug
makes more time for family and friends as well.
5. Learn Something New.
Many people think of diminished
mental capacity as a natural sign of aging. Researchers are learning, however,
that we can help stave off age-related cognitive decline by being lifelong
learners. Reading, learning new skills, doing puzzles, and practicing new
languages are all ways to protect your brain as you age.
6. Go Outside.
Being out in nature is good for you in so
many ways. When you are outside, you are more likely to be active. Engaging
with nature helps to reduce stress, improve mood and memory, and promote
healing. One study shows that spending a minimum of two hours per week
intentionally spending time in green spaces such as our yards, city parks, or
more rural areas has immense physical and psychological benefits.
7. Be Healthy in Your Relationships.
Set boundaries with people. Be encouraging. Practice gratitude for the people in your life. Choose to spend time with people who support you. In every relationship, you have choices about how to behave, and choosing to build positive habits in how you interact with others not only benefits them, but also benefits you. People who practice positivity are more positive and believe in their own values.
Prioritizing these healthy choices can make a world of
difference in how you feel and how you interact with others. Stocking up on
Superberries Aroniaberry Products is one way to kick start your healthy
journey. The versatile berries contain antioxidants and nutrients that help
your body function optimally. Planning ahead and stocking up are key steps to
achieving your health goals.