We all make unrealistic health goals, full of stringent diets and rigorous workouts, which we conveniently show disregard for when he hit the snooze button for the fifth time every morning. It always shuffles to another Monday, another month and then another year, while we continue to replenish on our bad health habits. Maybe we try and take on too much while putting in the minimum effort? Let’s focus on taking baby steps while planning each day as it comes and curbing one doughnut craving at a time. With the fast-paced lives we live, the routine leaves us with almost no time and even when it does, we want to spend it leisurely. So, it all comes down to the efficiency with which you utilize each minute of your day, here are the 10 quick pro-health habits you can squeeze in your day without a hassle. It’s time you invest in your biggest priority, your health! and the shift has to be made now.
1) PLAN AND PREP YOUR MEALS IN ADVANCE
“Working adults have compact weekdays, here’s what you can do if you don’t want to eat outside every day. Prep your meal on the weekends and stash it so that you do not have to binge on junk during long working weekdays.”
2) REDUCE YOUR CAFFEINE INTAKE
“Put that cup down, and take notes. As much as we draw comfort from this divine beverage called coffee, it isn’t beneficial for your health in the long run. Apart from causing insomnia, its direct hazards include fluctuation in blood pressure and acidity. Limit your intake to one cup a day.”
3) STOCK AND INDULGE IN A HEALTHY SNACK
“The consumption of unhealthy products during the long hours between lunch and dinner is another majorly defective habit of this fast-paced generation. When you’re tempted to gorge on large fries and cookies, go for healthier alternatives instead. Healthy snacks do not necessarily have to be bad for your taste buds, indulge in better munchies like fox nuts, okra chips, dry fruits, chickpea salad and hummus to name a few. Keep a stack for every time your hunger pangs strike.”
4) MAKE WALKING A PART OF YOUR COMMUTE
“This may sound extreme, but hear this out. Every day while commuting to work you can walk a part of your route. Well if you drive to work, you can always switch the elevator with the stairs, but if you don’t travel by car, you can make walking a part of your commute. Sitting at your desk continuously for long hours can be bad for your body, stretch your muscles, and take a small brisk walk every few hours to keep the movement going. Not only will it make you fitter, but it will also keep the mid-day lethargy at a distance.”
5) INFUSE DETOX WATER TO MAKE HYDRATION INTERESTING
“Chugging down regular water may seem like a tedious task to keep up, but internet’s obsession with detox water is a trend you can get on with. Detox water is basically infused water with natural flavours derived from fruits and herbs like lemon, ginger, cucumber and mint. Not only does it soothe your tongue it is refreshing and keeps you hydrated all day.”
6) SECLUDE 10 MINUTES FOR MEDITATION
“No matter how jam-packed your day is, exclude 10 minutes in the start or towards the end to meditate. It may seem unimportant but the benefits of meditation will set the tone of your day. With easy access to the internet, we have all the information at a click, all you need to do is quiet your mind and concentrate on your breathing. Cut off all those external worries and problems for those 10 minutes and channel in all the positive vibes that you can.”
7) CONSTANTLY STRETCH AND MOVE BETWEEN WORK HOURS
“Stop running your fingers on that keyboard and take regular intervals to stretch and relieve your muscles, when your body gets stiff; it’s a wakeup call to haul out of that chair and move. Stretch your limbs, ease your muscles and take a few rounds, it will also help you stay energetic through the day.”
8) IF YOU’RE RUNNING LATE PACK A BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE
“Breakfast is the most important meal of your day, skipping that will cause you more harm in the long run. Mornings are all about rushing out of the door and getting to work in time, so the easy hack is to prepare a power smoothie the night before, give it another quick blend with ice and you’re good to go. Recipes of variously flavoured power smoothies are easily available, from berries to veggies; you can have your pick.”
9) INTERVAL TRAINING
“If you cannot remove a chunk of your time throughout the day to indulge in a physical activity, break the session into two. Spend half an hour in the morning on the performing your asana, and go for a quick 30 minute run in the night to complete the session.”
10) KEEP YOUR SUGAR INTAKE IN CHECK
“As much as we love reaching out for those cupcakes during tea-time, try and minimize it just for the weekends. Sugar is basically a carbohydrate which later turns into fat, instead, make smarter choices and indulge in healthier snacks through the day.”