Being healthy doesn’t just happen; it takes commitment to building great habits into your daily routine. Making smart choices for meals, exercise, and activities lays the foundation for an active lifestyle that energizes your mind and body.
Eat Smart, Feel Great
What you put into your body has a major impact on how you feel throughout the day. Build a habit of choosing nutritious foods that provide lasting energy.
At mealtimes, load up half your plate with fruits and veggies in a rainbow of colors. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, these plant foods fuel your adventures. Go for variety; try crunchy red peppers, juicy oranges, leafy green spinach, and more. The other half of your plate should come from lean protein sources like grilled chicken, baked fish, hard-boiled eggs, or bean-based chili. Pair it with whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat bread. Drink water, milk, or limited 100% fruit juice instead of sugary beverages.
Snack smarter too by keeping cut-up fruits and veggies, nuts, or low-fat cheese and whole grain crackers on hand. Well-timed snacks between meals will keep your energy levels up and prevent you from getting overly hungry. Good snack ideas include apple slices with peanut butter, carrots and hummus, or trail mix with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
Move That Body
Being active is key for good health and fitness. The trick is finding movement you truly enjoy so you’ll stick with it over time.
Walking is an easy way to start. Explore alternative routes around your neighborhood or join a weekend hiking group to stride through scenic trails. You can make it social by inviting friends or family to walk together. For a change of pace, the experts at Canyon Sports recommend looking into affordable bike rental programs in your town that let you cruise around on two wheels.
Team sports and exercise classes are also great for adding variety, fun, and a social experience while being active. Check out programs at rec centers, school clubs or community leagues for options like basketball, soccer, dance, martial arts and more. At home, turn on upbeat music and have a dance party for quick bursts of exercise.
Aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days. It all adds up and even lots of short active breaks throughout the day are better than being sedentary.
Rest and Recharge
With all that moving, your body needs time to rest and recharge its batteries. Develop a consistent sleep routine by going to bed and waking up around the same time each day, even on weekends. Most kids ages 6-12 need between 9-12 hours of sleep per night to function at their best. Adults should aim for between 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
About an hour before your set bedtime, start winding down for the evening. Take a warm bath or shower, read a fiction book, listen to calm music, or do some light stretches. Avoid screens like phones, computers, and TV and anything too stimulating or stressful right before bed. Creating relaxing pre-bedtime habits signals your brain to get sleepy and ready for restorative rest.
Conclusion
Keeping healthy habits fun is key. Being active and eating well is not about deprivation. Focus on adding nutritious foods you truly enjoy plus finding physical activities that get your body moving in ways that feel rewarding and energizing, not like a chore or punishment. Approach it with an attitude of curiosity and adventure. Build those positive habits one small step at a time. Your amazing, energized self will thank you.
