Looking for an inspiration for healthy living? Begin with these simple tips!

 

A question was posed to me by a young working mother recently: “I would love to add Yoga or an exercise program to my daily routine, but I just don’t know how as I don’t seem to find the time. How can I make my life style better?”  It was a genuine heartfelt question from someone who really wanted to make a change in her lifestyle but was unsure where to start! Many of us are faced with this situation on a regular basis !

 

Long work hours, desk jobs and fast food culture combined with the lack of physical activity are some of the main reasons for obesity and lifestyle diseases prevalent today. We work very hard to make ends meet and have a good lifestyle, but unfortunately, this is at the expense of our health and wellbeing.

 

Due to the busy schedules, it is not just the physical activity that is overlooked, but our food habits also suffer. Our health and diet does not receive the importance it deserves. This needs to change!  But where do we  begin?

 

 

The first and the most important step is to become aware of the fact that we need to make changes in our lifestyle. Then we need stop the blame game and take responsibility for our actions. No more excuses!

 

Little steps can go a long way towards better health.

I was fascinated by a 7-minute workout plan from a mobile app that my daughter was using during her exams. It was a high intensity interval training plan that could be easily be incorporated into her break time. And well, it worked!  We can all take little steps that will lead us towards the bigger goal of a healthier lifestyle.

 

Here are some simple tips you can incorporate into your life everyday:

• Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Park your car far and add those extra steps to your day.
• Incorporate simple stretches when you wake up and just before you sleep.
• Move away from your chair and take a little walk in the office; maybe do some simple seated stretches when possible.
• Add 30 minutes of brisk walking to your routine beginning thrice a week.
• If you are not into walking, invest in a bicycle to commute to neighborhood places and grocery stores.
• Bring your workout to the living room: Do core work out, stationary running and/or jumping jacks while you watch the News! While this might not be good in the long run as you miss out on the mindfulness aspect, it is a good way to add movements into your routine.
  

  Clean Up Your Diet !

• Keep your mobile phone away at least half an hour before sleep time to ensure a good night’s rest.
• Spend more time outdoors whenever possible.
• Incorporate gentle breathing exercises into your daily routine.
• Clean up your diet – eliminate junk food, soda, and processed food as much as possible. Include fresh fruits and vegetables and eat a well-balanced diet.

 

 

In addition, you can enroll into a guided activity with a trained instructor near you – Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Gym are just some of the activities that are available.  Paying ahead of time will ensure you turn up for the classes. For further reading on how to add Yoga into your daily routine please see this article. Here is another article with a simple yoga sequence you can practice at home.

 

Include as many of the above points as you can into your routine. Don’t let laziness, procrastination, or lack of time get the better of you. Take charge of your life starting today.

 

Written By:

Hema Laxman,

Owner, Flamingo Yoga & Wellness.