One of the most under valued quality I feel in our society is consistency. I had written about it long time ago here and I am sure several more times between then and today. And I continue to feel people do not nurture this quality enough. Everything that has value in life is a product of consistency. Success, health, fitness, wealth, friendships, relationships, and all other aspirations are all about consistency.
When I first made the decision to make a healthy, positive shift in my life, there was a concrete starting point that helped me stay grounded. You don’t achieve your health goals overnight – which is what a lot of interpretations of health look like nowadays. If you set your expectations for ‘change’ too high, you’re bound to disappoint yourself. Starting smart and small is the best way to make the biggest difference for longevity and happiness. If only people understood how important it is to be consistent.If you’re interested in living a more healthful life but don’t know where to start, these 5 tips are effective and easy to incorporate into your everyday routine:
1. Create Morning Routines.
I wake up early because I enjoy a slow start to the day. I want to have enough time between getting out of bed to working out to getting to my desk (work-from-home life!). You can plan a morning ritual that works for you, specifically one that includes relaxation and a lot of hydration. Wake up and read, have a glass of warm water with lemon, practice a 10-minute stretch facing some natural light. Any and all of these things can be done with limited effort and cost. Start by doing one then add on!
2. Plan Your Meals.
It’s important to have a good idea of what your meals look like each day. If you’re running around town make sure you pack healthy, nutrient-dense snacks like nuts, sliced apples, hummus and veggies and simple sandwiches. Although, I do hope no one is running around town unless absolutely necessary. Do a weekly grocery haul with planned meals so that you hardly have to ask, “what am I having for dinner?” Last week, I did a video on reader's request about how I plan my meals, combine foods and portion control. You can check it out here.
3. Sweat.
Whether you have time for 2 hours or 20 minutes of exercise, make it count. There are so many resources on at-home workouts, online yoga channels, fitness classes online at Nike app, etc. and more. Don’t just sweat to try and shed pounds, sweat to take care of the body you’re in as you age and walk through daily life. More here.
4. Pick A Daily Mantra.
This sounds cliché but it’s a great tool to stay positive when you’re feeling anything but positive. Your mantra can be anything: song lyrics, a speech, poem, quote, two words “do good”. It’s nice having something to come back to when everything else is confusing and not going your way. Mine is: It is all temporary!
5. Laugh Often.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t stress about occasionally having a big meal or a brownie for breakfast. Try not to bring the stress from work to home. Appreciate the people you love in your life and recognize that keeping yourself healthy and supported while cultivating loving relationships is what life is all about!
What are your favorite tips to cultivate a healthier life? Share them in the comments!
