Showing or recognizing how grateful you are for different things in your life can
actually reduce depression and increase your immunity. Sounds kind of crazy,
right? But the connection between our thoughts, moods, and brain chemistry is a
complex one that if taken care of can result in improved well-being. Try writing
down 3-5 things every night or morning in a gratitude journal and watch the
magic happen.
Comparing yourself to other people is the root of all evils. It sparks jealousy,
envy, downright, and sadness which results in an unhealthy gal. Next time you
find yourself wishing you were the girl with the glowing skin or thin legs remind
yourself of your amazing qualities: inside and out.
3. Cook once, eat twice
One of the best habits I’ve developed overtime is making food in bulk so I can
use leftovers from dinner in my lunch for the next day. I know, leftovers are
boring right? Fear not. There are so many ways to mix it up and get creative. For
example, if I make roasted veggies with an egg and avocado one night for dinner,
I’ll use the roasted veggies to make a veggie wrap with hummus and a bit of my
favorite cheese for lunch.
4. Set goals & plan ahead
Healthy girls have a plan for their week. They don’t beat themselves up about
sticking to the plan every single day, but they know that if they dedicate
themselves to a few days a week at the gym or their favorite class, they won’t
skip out. They also take a little extra time once a week to plan their healthy meals
ahead of time.
5. Eat whole, real food
Hee’s the thing, you get out what you put in. Your body needs high quality fuel
in order to function at optimal levels, so try to eat food with 5 ingredients or less
—the fewer the better! Fruits, veggies, eggs, nuts, and seeds are perfect examples
of healthy, whole, real foods. If you’ve ever had skin, digestion, bloating, or
mood swings, I promise this small trick will help ten-fold.
6. Regular physical activity
No brainer, right? Get up and get out! Whether it’s a walk, yoga, run, spin,
dance, kickboxing, hiking, or swimming, exercise has immense benefits
including endorphin release, weight management, improved sleep, increased
memory, energy, and self-confidence. Remember to tune in with your body and
do exercise that feels right for you. Personally, I love to run, but it’s not the best
exercise for everyone. If yoga speaks to you, find your favorite studio and make
it a habit. Regardless of the type exercise you choose, it’s important to be
consistent to really make it a habit and something you look forward to. To keep
yourself on track find a workout buddy who likes the same types of exercise as
you to hold you accountable.
7. Check your labels
A lot of truth lies on your favorite food’s label. Before you purchase, check it out
to make sure you know all of the main ingredients. Rule of thumb: if you can’t
pronounce it, you probably don’t want to eat it. Aside from being able to
pronounce the foods that go into your body, the primary thing you want to look
out for hiding in your favorite food is added sugar. You’ll want to look at how
many grams of sugar are in your food and if it’s the first ingredient listed. White
sugar is highly processed and should be avoided. Finally, choose foods with short
ingredient lists. Five or fewer is my magic number.
While healthy girls like to have a plan filled with healthy activities like making
home cooking and going to barre, they also like to have fun. Being healthy
doesn’t have to be and shouldn’t be another stress in life. Life’s all about finding
a balance that makes you feel good and fits into your life. I don’t want to make
any assumptions, but I would guess that grinding away in the gym 7 days a week
and only eating raw salads isn’t going to give you the best mindset. Remember,
it’s okay to give yourself room for spontaneity and permission to let loose.
Sometimes skipping the gym and opting for drinks and apps with the girls is the
healthiest thing you could do.
9. Keep stress at bay
From weight gain to anxiety and mood swings, stress manifests itself in our
bodies in incredibly negative ways. It’s crucial for your overall health to
understand what stresses you out and how it affects your body. Recognizing your
stress triggers will allow you to take action immediately. Find ways to calm
your mind and relax or activities that help you destress.
Our bodies are made up primarily of water, so needless to say we need to drink a
lot of it to maintain our health. Many of us are chronically dehydrated despite
having access to a lot of clean water. Water is essential for proper circulation,
digestion, healthy skin, and it also transports other nutrients to the rest of your
body. So how much should you drink? Cut your body weight in pounds in half,
and that’s how many ounces you should drink.If you’re exercising and sweating
out your H20, you’re going to want to drink more. Try to have an extra 8 oz for
every hour of exercise.
11. Consider what goes on your body
When we think of health we typically think of the food we eat. What we often
fail to realize is the importance of what we put on our skin. Many shampoos,
lotions, and even cleaning supplies contain toxic ingredients that can be harmful
to our overall health. Remember, just like with food, read your label!
12. Self-care
Many of us are constantly looking out for others’ well being, and we forget to
remember to take care of ourselves. We justify ignoring our own needs by
telling ourselves it’s selfish or thinking “I don’t need that”, but there’s a reason
airlines tell you to put on your own oxygen mask first. If you don’t have the
energy to take care of yourself, you won’t have anything left to give to others
and give your best self. So go for it: get a massage, a pedicure, or take a nice epsom
salt bath.
13. Get some zzz’s
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Getting at least 6-8 hours
of sleep every night is optimal. When you get a good, restful night’s sleep you
operate at a higher cognitive function, reduce cravings for unhealthy food, and
are in a better mood overall. Healthy girls love to sleep on nice sheets, away
from their phones, and in comfy pajamas.
14. Use the power of your mind
You’re an Everygirl, so chances are you’ve got a lot going on in your life – a
rockin’ social life, a killer career, a gym membership, and an awesome side
hustle or hobby. It can be really easy to move from one activity to the next
without reflecting, mindfulness is an incredibly important and powerful tool for
your overall health. It allows you to focus and be present, which means you have
better workouts, don’t overeat, react calmly and cooly to stressful situations.
Everyone has different ways of harnessing their own mindfulness, but my
favorite way is quick and easy and can be done from anywhere: focus on your
breath. Give it a shot, next time you’re feeling stressed or even as soon as you
wake up, close your eyes, take ten deep, slow inhales and exhales while focusing
on the sensations in your body.
14. Try something new
Many of us feel comfortable and safe when we do things we know and are good
at. Trying new things and getting outside our comfort zone can be scary and
exciting at the same time. But embracing all of the emotions that come with it
can have immense health related benefits. When you challenge yourself, you’ll
experience personal growth and discovery and an optimal mental state. This
could mean something different for everyone. For some it could be going to a
new workout class or a movie alone; for others it’s getting educated about
something you’re passionate about; and for some it’s jumping out of a plane
over a beautiful landscape. Regardless of what it means to try something new
for you, give it a shot and push past your own boundaries, the discomfort will
open new feelings and opportunities where you might even discover a side of
yourself you didn’t know existed.
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