Bucket List: The Healthy Version (Plus a Few Bad Things)
By Sara Butler
Tomorrow is never promised. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but you never know when your revolutions around the sun are done. That’s why you want to live life to the fullest and why you probably have some vague idea of a bucket list of things you want to achieve before you say your goodbyes.
The biggest thing to ask yourself when creating a bucket list is how you want to spend your time. That way, you can prioritize the things that are important to you and get them done, living your life to the fullest in the meantime.
A bucket list can be serious, it can be silly, it can be fun, or it can be a mix of it all. There’s no right or wrong activity to put on a bucket list. If you feel it will bring you joy -- and maybe add to overall health along the way -- then go for it.
What Is the Mental Health Value of a Bucket List?
The one thing many people seek out in life is a feeling of fulfillment, which can be achieved in a variety of ways. Keeping your sanity as you navigate life’s obstacles is often overlooked, but there’s a lot to be said for doing something that helps you keep your sanity. Yet many people have a grueling schedule. Day in and day out, they split time between work and family, which leaves little room for other pursuits that bring them the little joys of life, the little rushes of endorphins that might otherwise go unmet, the bump that makes us feel good because we gave ourselves a treat. This is the exact reason a bucket list is so important.
Life expectancy is growing. In many places, people are living longer than they did before. Throughout this longer life, you have to keep it interesting and keep yourself from falling into the rut of day-to-day life. A bucket list is the perfect way to do this -- and to keep your mental health trending in a positive direction at the same time. It might just add some years to your life along the way.
What Are Healthy Things You Can Do In Your Life?
Healthy is a bit of a subjective term. When most people think of “healthy,” they think of doing exercise regularly and eating a healthy diet that nowadays surely involves kale. Sure, those are healthy activities, but do they belong on a bucket list? They do -- but you have to be willing to add a little flair to something that may seem humdrum.
To create a bucket list, think about the things you want to do before you die and then kick it up a notch. Remember, your bucket list can contain anything you want. Simply write down things you’re interested in and then rank them in order of importance. Don’t be shy about adding things along the way, either. Your bucket list is not carved in stone. It’s a dynamic document.
Here are a few things you may want to explore when putting together the road map to your life.
Travel - Travel is a big deal to a lot of people. After all, there’s a whole big world to explore out there. But be specific when it comes to travel. Instead of saying you want to see the Sahara Desert, say you want to sleep under the stars in the Sahara Desert. Don’t just say you want to go to the Arctic Circle, instead say that you want to see the Aurora Borealis from a glass igloo (those exist). Be specific in your travel goals on your bucket list.
Exercise - Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is something a lot of people already do, but you can take it further on your bucket list. Instead of saying you want to run a marathon, say you want to run a marathon in Hawaii. Instead of saying you want to hike every day, hike the Appalachian Trail (remember, you don’t have to do it all at once). Bigger goals like this help you to put in the work each day, which can lead to a healthier life.
Fun - A bucket list is also supposed to be fun! So, seek out some thrills along the way as you go through your life journey. Try parasailing or riding the world’s tallest roller coaster. Be on a parade float during Mardi Gras -- as long as you watch that alcohol intake, that is. Remember, once it’s on the internet, it’s always on the internet. Then again, maybe you want to be on the internet!
Food – Food can absolutely be a part of your bucket list. Sure, you can include healthy food, but also include food that is fun or unique to eat like fresh ceviche on a Mexican beach or sushi in Japan, or a corn dog at a state fair. Fried cheese curds were made for bucket lists, right? You may even want to go for some deep fried butter (yes, it exists)!
Your bucket list is your own, but think about the things you want to do and take it one step further to make it as interesting as you can.
A Few Bucket List Suggestions
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some great ideas that you can add to your bucket list that are fun and interesting:
- Take a hike -- in the rainforest
- Go to the airport and buy a same-day ticket to a surprise destination
- Eat a hot dog at Gray’s Papaya in New York City
- Go to Edinburgh and take a Harry Potter Tour
- Go to Walt Disney World (and have a churro!)
- Learn how to scuba dive in Thailand -- or Seattle
- Eat clam chowder in New England
- Take a train across Europe -- or the Rocky Mountains
- Stay in an underwater hotel or a penthouse suite
- Eat as many different types of pasta as you can in Italy -- or sample the entire menu at Olive Garden
Of course, all of the above bucket list items are lofty. If you’re looking to do something more on a budget, there are things you can do that can add a little excitement to everyday life and won’t break the bank.
- Kiss in the rain -- they do it in the movies
- Meditate to try to achieve enlightenment
- Come up with your own cocktail creation
- Learn origami
- Try walking barefoot in a field
- Eat fruits and vegetables that are new to you
- Learn sign language
- Get really good at a video game (or anything)
- Binge-watch an entire TV series or movie franchise
- Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world just like Jack Nicholson did in the movie
- Watch the sunrise and sunset on the same day
- Sing karaoke
- Make your own pasta
- Grow an herb garden
- Stand in a location where one of your heroes stood
- See The Joint Chiropractic in every city you stay in
Healthy habits are a great long-term strategy for extending your lifespan, but you shouldn’t avoid the simple pleasures in life because they also add value. Taking a moment to smell the fresh-cut grass, doing meditation at the end of a long day, or even grabbing a turkey leg at the county fair are all important to your mental wellness too.
Now, what are you going to put on your bucket list?
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