Simple Ways to Boost Your Wellness Right Now
By Sandy Schroeder
You may be feeling a little overloaded as fall moves ahead, but sticking with diet and exercise basics and adding a few wellness tips might help to energize you and your family. See what you think of these.
Pack healthy snack bags for the family - Tuck in carrots, apples, bananas or sliced mini cucumbers to eat with lunch or on an afternoon break.
Drink water with every meal - Meet your daily quota of water with water at meals, and keep a canister of water on your desk.
Hide the salt shaker - Break away from sugary sauces and high sodium seasoning. Reach for cilantro, peppers, onions, basil, thyme, turmeric and garlic to season your cooking. Apple cider vinegar works well with cucumbers and leafy greens, too.
Outsmart salad dressings - Instead of drenching your salad with a rich creamy dressing, why not just ask for dressing on the side and dip your fork in the dressing. You get all of the flavor and a lot less calories.
Enjoy low-fat Greek yogurts - Get your daily dairy by adding yogurt to your breakfast oats, as part of your lunch, or a quick dessert with berries after dinner.
Time your moves - If you sit at work a lot, set a timer on your watch, phone or computer to get up and walk and stretch every hour. You should get an energy boost and clearer thoughts, too.
Lunch and walk - Add a 20-minute walk to lunch and enjoy the energy and mood boost all afternoon. Recruit a buddy to walk with and make it a daily habit.
Make your pizza healthier - Try a half-and-half pepperoni and veggie pizza. My favorite veggie half is jalapenos and spinach, but yours could be cauliflower and olives or zucchini and red pepper slices.
Take a day off from soda - Make a couple days a week “soda free” days, as you enjoy sparkling waters, sugar-free tea or low-fat smoothies. If the idea works, keep going and see if you can break away completely from soda.
Spread the word - As you try more wellness tips, call, text or email friends to trade wellness suggestions. When I do this I always wind up with the best healthy recipes for cauliflower, spinach, and Brussels sprouts, all of my favorites.
If these wellness tips work for you, keep looking for more and enjoy the health boost.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Schaumburg, Ill.