Taking steps to achieve better health, such as visiting a health care provider for a checkup and talking about what screenings and vaccines you may need, including the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella; getting plenty of physical activity; eating healthy foods; paying attention to your mental health; and practicing safe behaviors, like not texting and driving. Even though these steps are essential for good health, I think most of us can agree that it is not always easy to build them into our daily lives. Sure, we know these steps can help us feel our best and prevent serious diseases and conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, but sometimes it is hard to get motivated or stay on track, especially when we have so many other responsibilities.
Also, what works for one woman may not work for another. Each one of us is unique — we all have different goals, different motivations, and reasons for getting or staying healthy, and different ways of achieving our health goals. The key to building healthy habits into our lives is to find what works for us as individuals. We want to help you do that! Here are some steps to uncover ways to be healthier every day.
Reflect on your health.
Health is a lifelong journey, and it certainly is not a straight line. There are stops along the way, forks in the road, and sometimes, your destination changes as you evolve and change. With my new work schedule, I have been reflecting on my health journey — thinking about where I am right now and where I want to go. I have thought about questions like these: Why do I want to be healthy? What am I already doing to lead a healthy life? What do I want to improve?
What I realized is that I am motivated by my desire to have a strong and healthy body for life. One of the activities I want to work on is making strength training a bigger part of my daily routine because healthy muscles and strong bones are so important for all women and girls. They help us do important everyday tasks and maintain good posture. Yes, it is important to figure out a fitness routine that gets you moving — anything from dancing to walking to swimming to running — but muscle strength is just as important. Think about adding some dumbbells to your fitness routine! Try committing to 10 minutes a day of physical activity. Small steps can make a big difference over time!
Set manageable goals and take small steps.
You have heard it before, but simple steps can make a big difference in your health. Drastic changes can be overwhelming and tough to maintain. That is why I opt to get creative when possible! I look for timesavers and small ways to work toward my goals throughout the day. For example, using a slow cooker can save time if you love the smell of food cooking when you arrive home. My goal is to try one new recipe a month, so by the end of the year that is 12 new recipes for my collection.
Another strategy is preparing meals on the weekends Having food ready to eat after a busy day can help prevent you from eating late at night, which can impact your blood glucose levels. Our bodies need time to metabolize food. Going to bed on a full stomach makes it harder for our bodies to metabolize what we ate for dinner. Eating before 8 p.m. and walking after meals are small steps you can take to improve your health.
Ask yourself about the different reasons why it might be hard for you to focus on a particular area of your health. Once you know what your challenges are, you can create a plan to overcome your obstacles step-by-step.
Think about what is most important to you.
My family and friends are a key part of my health. One of my motivating factors for taking care of myself is that I need to maintain my health so that I can be there for my family.
Healthy relationships are integral to good health. It can be challenging when relatives are not in the same city as you, but it makes it all the more important to talk with them frequently and plan visits. We all know how loneliness impacts health. Think about how you can put a smile on someone’s face by letting them know you care about them. You may very well find that your heart smiles in return.
Building healthy habits into your life takes practice, and all we can do is learn as we go. Hopefully, pausing to reflect on your health, finding simple tweaks you can make to your routine, and thinking about what is most important to you will help you take the next step on your health journey. If you are not sure where to start, we can help. Please subscribe to our newsletter and you will receive personalized tips so you can start working toward your next healthy destination today!