Three Ways I’m Improving My Health Without Losing My Sanity
Sage advice. Credit: GoinPlaces2, Etsy
You know how I’ve been focusing a lot on mixing up my workouts? My recent regular workouts haven’t been too far out of the norm for me, although I have made a concentrated effort to add more strength training in by utilizing the quick and easy (well, “easy to use,” anyway, not “easy to do”) line of weight machines at my gym (seriously, they set them up for you, help you set goals; all you have to do is, you know, do the work). There’s been a lot of swimming, biking and running. The usual.
But, I’ve made a few changes that I’m feeling pretty good about, and I’m hoping that maybe this will help someone else who might be feeling a little stuck in the workout routine (or lack thereof).
One: I spend a lot of time at my desk, using my computer. A lot. But, every day I have at least a couple of meetings that don’t require me to do a lot of typing or active stuff on the computer; as long as I can see or read the screen, I’m fine. Some days, half my day is spent in meetings like that, so I’ve decided to make better use of my time. I work in a few sets of squats, lunges, kicks…you get the idea. I don’t go so hard as to get out of breath; that would not be kosher on a conference call. Still, over the course of an hour, I can get a pretty good workout in, especially since that’s usually a bonus workout.
Two: I’ve started taking more walks. If I can get out early and walk a couple of miles with the dogs, that’s great, but if I can’t, I’m still trying to get outside a couple of times a day, even if it’s just for 10 minutes or so. I stretch my legs out, and, maybe more importantly, I give my eyes and brain a break from looking at the computer screen. The internet rarely breaks because I’ve stepped away for a few minutes, you know?
Three: I’m keeping my herbs alive! Not only alive, actually; some of them are positively thriving, and it won’t be long at all before I’m using my own fresh herbs in yummy summer dishes. I don’t know if that’s officially improving my health just yet, but just that small potential connection to the food I eat has made an impact on my attitude toward food. It might also have a little something to do with the summer weather and all the fresh veggies and fruits at the grocery store, but I’m definitely eating more mindfully. Thanks, little herbs!
You know what I see as the biggest success here? The fact that none of these things are requiring any sort of drastic alteration to my life. They’re small changes that I’m truly enjoying; I’m giving up nothing but getting so much out of it. Do you have any small changes like this that you’ve made (or would like to make)? —Kristen