26 Tips for a Healthier & Happier Life.

I’ve just finished reading a fantastic book by “Name%20Your%20Link">Name%20Your%20Link" target="_blank">StrengthsFinder” author Tom Rath called “Name%20Your%20Link">Name%20Your%20Link" target="_blank">Eat, Sleep, Move”. The book features the most proven and practical ideas – all based on research – to improve the way you live. Of course, no one is expected to do everything in this book starting on the first day. The idea is rather to pick a few actions, and integrate them into your daily life, then pick a few more. Here are some of the ones I’m working on…

EAT

1. Build your meals around fruits and vegetables, especially those with dark and vibrant colours.
2. Replace chips, crackers and dried fruit with nuts, seeds, apples & celery.
3. Select a healthy standby snack & carry it with you wherever you go.
4. Eat slower. Try make every meal last 20 minutes.
5. Use smaller cups, plates and serving sizes to eat less.
6. Sugar is a toxin. Stay away from it, and any refined carbs.
7. Structure your days to eat more early, less late, and nothing after dinner.
8. Steam instead of grilling or frying.
9. Never go a full day without eating something green.
10. Check the sugar content of so called “healthy” foods. If it’s more than 10g – find a replacement.

SLEEP

1. Sleep longer tonight to do more tomorrow.
2. Track your sleep time & quality.
3. Dim your lights in the evening and block out all light in your bedroom at night.
4. Keep your bedroom cool at night.
5. Create a bedtime routine where you don’t eat or use electronic devices in the hour before you sleep.
6. Wake up at the same time everyday to keep your internal clock on track.
7. Banish the snooze button for good. Snoozing adds nothing to your sleep quality.
8. Aim for 8 hours of sleep every night.

MOVE

1. Try working without sitting.
2. When you have to sit for long periods, stand, stretch, & walk around every 30 minutes.
3. Track your daily movement.
4. Aim for 10,000 steps every day or 70,000 per week.
5. Do 1 hour of vigorous exercise in the morning for a better mood, more brainpower, and to burn calories all day long.
6. Figure out a way to exercise at home.
7. When tempted to skip a workout, just start exercising for a few minutes. Starting is often the hardest part.
8. Take the stairs & park far away.