6 Easy Steps to a Healthier and More Productive Lifestyle

It’s a new year and it’s got me thinking about what are some healthy routines I can add to create a healthier and more productive lifestyle?!  Last year, I decided to go Paleo, I started to put Vital Proteins – Collagen in my coffee every day, and probably one the hardest things I did was to give up my sugary creamer (and Frappuccinos!!)  This year, I wanted to kick things up a notch, so I decided to take this question to our moms group on Facebook to get some ideas. 

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Here are some of the great ideas I received!  Let us know what your daily routines are in the comments or which ones you will start to do! 

Pray, Meditate, &/or Yoga Everyday

Prayer, meditation, and yoga are great ways to calm your mind and get focused to have a productive day!  We are lucky to have so many great yoga studios in the South Bay. There are also lots of free or inexpensive apps that you can download on your phone to help guide you on meditation and yoga.  Stay tuned for our lists! 

Drink lots of water

According to the Mayo Clinic, an average woman needs about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day!  This can be by drinking water, other drinks, and even food. There are lots of factors when determining how much water you should be drinking like how much you exercise, your environment, overall health, and if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.  There are many health benefits to staying hydrated and drinking enough water. Some benefits include “Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements; keeps your temperature normal; lubricates and cushions joints; and protects sensitive tissues.”  You can read more on the MayoClinic.org

Keep a Gratitude Journal 

Even in the darkest of days, I have things to be grateful for.  The mind is very powerful and doing this one little thing every morning can really put a positive spin on your day.  Just take a few minutes first thing in the morning and write down what you are grateful for. ErinCondren.com has some beautiful gratitude journals that you can use to keep all of your thoughts in one place. 

Exercise Regularly

As busy parents, this can be especially challenging, at least for me it is.  This is always last on my list, so you guessed it, it doesn’t happen a lot. There are simple ways to add a little more movement into your day.  Park further away, so you can get more steps while doing your errands, download an app that has you do a few exercises right in the comfort of your own home, head down to the beach and go for a walk, or check out some of the great exercise studios we have in the South Bay and sign up for a fun class! 

Make Your Bed Every Morning

Some may think this is a silly one, but I highly recommend trying it!  Try it for a week and see how you feel. This might be the easiest task you do every day, but it will set you up to have a positive and productive day.  What do you have to loose? 

DO NOT Check Cell Phone Until After Morning Routine

If you are like me, chances are, your cell phone is resting right next to you on your night stand.  It’s so easy to open your eyes and want to pick up the phone to see what you missed while you were sleeping.  But I encourage you to resist the temptation. Get up, do your morning routine, whatever it is, then check your phone.  This simple thing will help keep you on track to a productive and healthy day! 

We hope you enjoyed these tips! We’d love to hear your tips in the comments or if you made any changes in the New Year and how they are helping you.