How to Rebuild Healthy Habits While Self-Isolating
We all know how important it is to stay healthy, especially during a pandemic. However, the nature of COVID-19 has upended many of the healthy habits we may have built over the years. Plus, we’re all overcome with the fear of getting sick and the stress of an unstable economy. Many people don’t feel like they have money to spare on healthy choices and aren’t sure how to find exercise options and positive diet choices they can afford.
If you’ve gained some weight during quarantine or fallen off your exercise routine, you don’t need to despair. These tools can help you discover new, affordable ways to honor your body’s nutritional, physical, and psychological needs. Here are some healthy yet affordable habits that will get you back on track.
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Exercise Daily
If you’re used to the gym, exercising at home can feel impossible. Gym goers get used to having access to plenty of equipment, and bringing that experience home is pretty pricey. Fortunately, there are a ton of low-budget ways to work out at home.
For example, you can utilize furniture for your workouts. Grab a chair for chair dips, or use your kitchen counter to get in some push-ups. You can also get in an effective, affordable workout by performing wall sits or dancing to your favorite music.
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Eat Right
The pandemic is super stressful, and for many of us, stress is the fastest diet sink there is. When we get anxious, we tend to turn to junky comfort foods and neglect our real nutritional needs. These foods just wind up leaving us more anxious, creating a vicious cycle. We have to break this cycle in order to thrive.
The first step is addressing your diet. Focus on making nutritious meals that use shelf-stable ingredients. Still stock up on fruits and veggies, but use them wisely to ensure that you don’t end up wasting money. For example, if you buy avocados and squash, use the avocados in the first half of the week and squash in the second. Familiarize yourself with how long certain fresh foods last, and plan your meals accordingly.
The next step is to honor the urge to eat junk. This doesn't mean just keep eating junk—although if you have an unhealthy snack now and then, it’s truly not the end of the world. What it does mean is recognizing what that junk food does for you, as well as how it’s making a dent on your food budget. If you’re eating to self-soothe, then you know you need to find some other method of self-soothing. Otherwise, you’ll just get stuck battling those same cravings, or else replacing it with some other unhealthy coping mechanism.
Be Kind to Yourself
On the topic of self-soothing, it’s no wonder so many of us need some form of comfort right now. It’s a deeply uncomfortable time. You need to be kind to yourself in order to combat the stress and fear coming from all directions right now.
Come up with a list of activities or sensations that make you feel happy—and these need not be expensive, too. These could be anything from making some sort of art to lighting a candle to listening to a favorite album (get a good pair of headphones that tunes out other noises for ultimate relaxation). Collect these positive experiences, and try to do one every day. These little gifts to yourself will add up, and you’ll have an easier time spotting the good in the world.
Rebuilding these healthy habits is a great, effective way to get yourself back on track. Whether you’re shooting for weight loss, improved health metrics, or just want to feel better, these are sure to help. When you exercise, eat right, and treat yourself with kindness, your body—and wallet—will thank you.
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Live a Healthy and Happy Life with These Practical, Everyday Strategies
So many of our daily decisions — arguably every decision — can have an impact on our overall health and well-being. This is especially true for people who are 40 or older. While this is not uncommon knowledge, many people still struggle to make healthy changes in their lives.
One reason why many people have a hard time with this is that they try to set impractical, radical goals, and when they fail to realize these goals, they become discouraged and give up on making any kind of change. However, there are many smaller, everyday strategies that can improve your overall health and well-being when implemented. If you’re ready to take your health and happiness up a notch, here are a few of those strategies to get you started.
Work Out Regularly
You don’t have to follow a two-hour-per-day workout regimen to experience health benefits. Thirty minutes of moderate activity each day (or even five times a week) can do wonders for your physical and mental health. So, find something you like, and make it part of your routine.
Here are a few exercise routines to consider:
Speed walking/jogging
Swimming
Using an elliptical machine
Actually Go to Your Checkups
Checkups are important at any age, but they become increasingly important when you reach your 40s, 50s, and 60s. Going to regular checkups and taking any tests that your doctor recommends can help you to stay in front of potential health concerns. That way, you can make adjustments to your lifestyle and/or try medications suggested by your doctor in order to prevent problems.
One area of care that is often overlooked by adults is dental health. However, it’s critical to visit your dentist at least twice a year, as your dental health is connected to many other aspects of your health and there are many consequences of poor oral health. If your current dentistry isn’t working out for you — whether it’s because of incompetency, pricing, inconvenience, or any other reason — you should definitely consider changing dentists.
Make Sleep Happen
Sleep is another factor that plays a major role in your overall health and well-being. If you’re not getting the sleep you need, there are a number of things you can try. For instance, try changing up your bedtime routine by eliminating electronic gadgets from your bedroom, listening to soft music, taking a warm bath, and/or reading a physical book next to a dimmed lamp.
Also, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on the weekends, as this will help to regulate your body’s circadian rhythm. Furthermore, avoid caffeine after lunchtime, and avoid alcohol and spicy foods before bed.
Challenge Your Mind
Keeping your mind active is essential as you age. An excellent reason to do so is that it reduces your chances of suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. There are many big and small ways to work your brain. On the big end of the scale is going back to school. For example, you might get an online degree in an area of interest. You could then use your degree to get a job making some extra money in your retirement. On the smaller end of the scale is simply making time each day to read, do the daily crossword, or work on a puzzle. Whatever path you take, making sure you have an active mind will pay off more and more as you age.
Invest in Your Relationships
Finally, foster close relationships in your life. We are social beings, and our connection to others is paramount in our quest for a meaningful, fulfilling life. Not only that, but healthy relationships can strengthen your immune system and lead to a longer life, among other health benefits.
Making small but significant changes to your daily life can do wonders for your overall health. Be sure to attend regular checkups with your physician, and visit your dentist twice a year. Also, establish solid exercise and sleep routines, and foster meaningful relationships in your life. You might be surprised by how changes like these can boost your health and happiness.
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Meet Your Health Goals With These Easy and Inexpensive Wellness Tips
It’s a new year, and many of us have resolved to look after our health, get in shape, and feel better. We want to eat whole foods, sleep more, and focus on getting enough exercise. These may sound hard to achieve, especially if you’re on a budget. But if you follow these tips, you can stay true to your wellness and self-care goals in the new year without breaking the bank.
Eating Well
Eating healthy can seem so easy, but when you have a limited amount of time and a small budget, it can be difficult to follow through on your diet goals. To consistently eat healthy during the new year, plan ahead. Spend some time over the weekend to make up healthy meal plans for the week, and make a weekly grocery run. You’ll save time and money by having a plan, and you’ll avoid buying unhealthy foods or overspending at the grocery store. You’ll also avoid overspending on lunch out by packing nutritious meals you’re excited to eat.
Sleeping More
It’s easy to underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. You might think you can get away with a bit less sleep, but giving yourself seven to nine hours of sleep is a major component of good health. Sleeping well helps you maintain your circadian rhythm, focus on tasks, and be far less stressed. It will also give you more energy, and you’ll be able to do more things in less time. To maintain a good bedtime routine, start by lowering the temperature in your room and getting soft sheets that feel great against your skin. Avoid using screens at least one hour before bed, since the blue light can keep you awake. Accomplish this easily by banishing your TV, computer, and phone from the bedroom. Sleeping well doesn’t have to cost you money, and developing a good evening routine, such as going to bed at the same time every night and doing some stretches or breathing exercises before bed, will help you sleep soundly every night.
Staying Active
Is one of your wellness goals for the new year to be more active? Getting enough exercise will make a huge difference in your overall health and wellbeing—you’ll have more energy, lower your blood pressure, and easily maintain a healthy body weight. You don’t need an expensive gym membership to stay active, and you can exercise for free in the comfort of your own home. Follow a fitness routine on YouTube, join an outdoor yoga class with friends, or go for a run in the park. Getting the right pair of shoes will protect your feet and help you boost your wellness journey without spending a lot of money. If you’re looking for affordable men’s running shoes, for example, shop online to find great deals and discounts. You can look through deals sites for extra savings on men's footwear, and you may get some cash back.
Practicing Self-Care
You can treat yourself to a spa day every now and then, but to follow through on your self-care goals for the new year, find an affordable routine you can do at home. If you love baths, buy some candles and essential oils and have your own spa day. Set aside one evening a week to do something you love, whether it’s reading a good book, watching a movie, or relaxing in the backyard with your partner.
If you haven’t done so already, consider embarking on a staycation in the Tampa Bay area. Just because you live here doesn’t mean you’ve experienced everything it has to offer. For example, you could rent a vacation home near one of the many attractions around Tampa Bay and kick back for a few days. Everyone needs a chance to recharge, even if it’s just a few days in someone else’s home.
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It doesn’t have to be challenging or expensive to keep up your momentum in the new year and meet your health and wellness goals! Follow these tips to eat well, sleep better, and be more active, and see what a difference good health will make in your daily life. The fact that these suggestions are budget-friendly is a nice bonus as well.