A Better Tomorrow Starts with How You Treat Yourself Today (by Sheila Olson)

Wake up. Eat breakfast. Get dressed. Go to work. Stress until midnight. Repeat. If that sounds like you, keep scrolling for ways you can beat the humdrum while keeping yourself healthy and happy. The best part is that you can do these things every day for a quick pick-me-up.

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• Wake up 30 minutes early. If you’re not typically one to rise with the roosters, you’re missing out on a host of health benefits. Waking early affords an opportunity to prepare a healthy breakfast and can improve the quality of sleep you get each night. Health Ambition also reports that waking up early can boost your productivity, so you will have more time to do the things you want since you’ve completed your to-do list.

 

• Stop your bad habits. This is pretty simple and it’s mostly common sense. If you smoke, stop. If you drink more than a Viking warrior, stop. All of the negative things you do to your body can add up to health problems that can cut your life short by years. Likewise, cutting out your bad habits has far-reaching positive effects. According to Healthline, it takes just three days for your lung capacity to increase after your last cigarette. A month after your last gin and tonic, your liver fat level is slashed by about 15 percent and your belly may show signs of slimming down.

 

• Turn your home into a mini spa. “Me” time is essential for your overall health and well-being. But if you don’t have the time or money to sneak away or pay for a babysitter, consider turning your home into an R & R retreat. Angie’s List recommends a hot cup of tea, some soothing music, and a warm shower for starters. If you’re feeling especially creative, you can DIY a hot stone massage or learn how to make your own skin care products for a customized experience.

• Have a drink (of water). Drinking water is about the best thing you can do for yourself, and as a bonus, it costs just pennies to fill up your water bottle. Drinking plenty of water will hydrate your skin and flush your system of toxins. One blogger from Well and Good also claims that drinking water in the morning can give you an energy boost and combat nighttime dehydration.
  

• Exercise before bed. If you’re a morning person, go ahead and knock your physical activity out before the rest of your household lifts their heads off the pillow. But if you’re like the rest of is, don’t believe the old wives’ tale that nighttime exercise will keep you awake. In fact, studies have shown that people who exercise for more than half an hour just prior to bed sleep just fine.
  

 

• Read a book. You might not consider flipping through the pages of Great Expectations beneficial for your health, but reading books – yes, actual printed, paper books – is good for the mind and body. Paper is easier on the eyes, which can reduce strain caused by staring at a computer screen day in and day out. Plus, flipping pages is a much better way to wind down for the evening than scrolling through your social media feeds.

 

• Add some color to your diet. You have to eat well in order to maintain your health. It’s not enough to pop a few supplements; the best way to intake nutrition is to chew it. If you are not a vegetable person, you need to reframe the way you think about garden fare. Find a vegetable you like and use it as a gateway food to other orange, green, red, and yellow fruits and vegetables.

There you have it, simple and effective ways to keep your mind and body in top shape. From waking up early to hitting the gym after dark, taking care of yourself today will ensure you have a better tomorrow.

Sheila Olson

Sheila Olson has been a personal trainer for five years. She believes the best way to achieve physical fitness and good health is to set and tackle small goals. She encourages her clients to stay positive and incorporates mindfulness and practices for reducing negative talk into her sessions.

She created FitSheila.com to spread the word about her fitness philosophy.