Taking Care of Your Health for Busy People
By Paul Rothbart
It takes effort to stay healthy, especially as you age. Along with effort, it requires time. Planning meals, working out, and spending time relaxing and unwinding can be difficult to manage, particularly for those who are busy. It's unpleasant to feel that one's health is in decline and one is helpless to do anything about it. It doesn't have to be that way. Here are some tips to help busy people take care of their health.
Be Smart When Planning Meals
Preparing a number of meals, such as a week's worth, ahead of time is a good strategy as you then just have to heat them up. You can take that a step further by creating several dishes using the same ingredients. For example, cook a protein like chicken and use it in more than one meal. Pasta is an excellent food to do this with You can cut your preparation and cooking time down significantly and still eat healthily.
Let Exercise Serve a Dual Purpose
When it's hard to find time to exercise and to relax, combine them. A workout doesn't have to be a chore filled with drudgery. Choose fun activities that you enjoy and that relax your mind and relieve stress. Some people love to run, for others, it may be swimming. Many people like to play a sport. It's competitive, fun, and you can do it with other people. You get exercise as well as mental and social stimulation.
Pay Close Attention to How Different Foods Make You Feel
This is an important but often overlooked aspect of good health. Everyone reacts differently to food. Pay attention to how various ingredients affect you. Some things may make you feel sluggish and should obviously be avoided. Choose the foods that energize you and elevate your mood. You'll feel better and be more productive and it won't take any precious time from your schedule.
Don't Neglect Sleep
When it seems like there are not enough hours in a day to get everything done, many people cut back on sleep. This is a mistake. The hours you gain during your wake time will not be productive ones and your entire day may become one big struggle. Sufficient sleep is essential to good health. By cheating yourself of snooze time, you are damaging your health and may find that you can't perform well at anything. Make smart decisions and get enough sleep.
For those who are constantly busy, it can be challenging to live a healthy lifestyle. But it is not impossible. Try these tips to stay healthy while accomplishing all of the many tasks on your list.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Auburn, Calif.