Are you a procrastinator? I know I am! People are creatures of habit. So once we get into a pattern, it’s easier to keep doing the same thing than it is to make a change for the better.
For example, I want to be healthy. But when bad habits take hold, it’s always easier to stay on a non-healthy path than to get myself back on track. That’s why I came up with this list of healthy habits that I try to live by to help improve my health. I think they’ll work for you, too!
1. Pay attention to your body
I believe your body starts to react to the first bite of any food you put in your mouth. You may decide you like it, or you may immediately notice that it’s too salty. More significant reactions often don’t show up until later. For example, you may feel bloated or feel full faster than normal. You might also have swelling in your hands or get indigestion.
All those symptoms can be tied to what you eat. So if you notice that you are reacting to something, pay more attention to what you are putting into your body. That will help you figure out what doesn’t agree with you so you can decide what you need to leave out of your diet to help yourself feel healthier.
My good friend JJ Virgin has some great materials to help you figure out what foods your body reacts to, plus she has quick meal tips on her website at jjvirgin.com.
2. No processed foods
My rule is that if the ingredients in any food sound like they belong in jet fuel instead of in your body, don’t eat it! That may sound silly until you actually look at the ingredient list on many processed foods.
I believe any nutritionist will tell you that whole or pure foods are better for your body than processed foods. I’m talking about fruits, vegetables, whole grains and even full fat dairy products. You’ll never find skim or even 2% milk in my refrigerator. I use half and half in my coffee and real butter on my bread. When I’m cooking I use olive oil.
I believe these are the same, pure forms of food that helped our grandparents live longer and still help Europeans stay slim and healthy. And while you’re at it, try the European model of stopping at the grocery store every day to pick up fresh produce. Remember, eating well is a life choice – not a diet.
3. Bring your lunch to work
This is an off-shoot of the previous point. It’s too easy to grab junk food or fast food for lunch when you are working. That usually means lots of processed food. Avoid the temptation by bringing something you love from home.
You’ll probably laugh, but the best thing that happened to my lunchtime eating habits is the Ronco Rotisserie I got for Christmas! It sounds like a corny commercial from the 70s but I’m here to tell you these things are great! My rotisserie can cook two chickens at a time. So I just season them with a little Mrs. Dash because it doesn’t have salt and let them cook. Two chickens give me a great variety of meals for the whole week – from chicken dinner to chicken salad to chicken on my green salad. Check them out on Amazon and get cooking!
And here’s one of my favorite snacks. I buy gluten-free brown rice tortillas at Whole Foods. Cut them into triangles, drizzle a little olive oil and add sea salt then bake them for 8-10 minutes for your own delicious, natural chips that aren’t full of fat or over-salted.
4. Take time for yourself
When is the last time you gave yourself a time out? We give them to our children all the time and getting off the stool or out of the corner early is not an option. Why not do that for yourself, in a positive way! I’m talking about giving yourself permission to take a half hour break.
It’s up to you to decide what you want to do with your time. Meditate, do yoga, soak in a hot tub surrounded by candles ... the list of guilty pleasures is endless. So take away the guilt and give yourself permission to enjoy the peace of a half hour all to yourself. It’s an important way to be kind to yourself.
5. Get your annual exams
If you’re like many people, you have great intentions to do this. But planning to squeeze it in at the last minute is really a plan to fail. No matter what you are due for – your annual Pap smear, blood workups, mammogram, hormone levels, prostate test, colonoscopy or getting your teeth cleaned – call now and set up the appointment. If you find out six months from now that you didn’t pick a good day, you can always change it later.
If you’re a procrastinator like me, this may be a challenge. But whether you realize it or not, you’re adding stress to your life by letting things hang over your head instead of facing them and taking care of them. So make the appointment and get it off your plate now!
It’s a common belief that it takes 21 days to form or break a habit. It doesn’t really matter to me whether that’s true or not. I am positive that you’ll never break a bad habit or create a new good one until you decide to do it! Your good health is absolutely worth the effort it will take to teach yourself these new habits. Your body will thank you for it!
What are your favorite healthy habits? Share them with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MKingRobson.