Fitness doesn’t just mean being physically fit, it also refers to a person’s mental wellbeing. If a person is physically fit but is troubled or mentally unwell, such a person can’t function optimally. Mental fitness can be achieved if your body is functioning well. Exercising regularly and eating right are proven ways to stay fit.
Living a healthy lifestyle has numerous benefits. Some of these benefits include; helping maintain your weight at its optimum level which reduces the possibility of stroke or high blood pressure, gives you more energy to perform everyday tasks and improves your overall quality of life.
Being fit also ensures that you don’t spend as much money on healthcare as the average unfit person especially in old age.
Let’s face it, as one gets older, it gets tougher and tougher to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Especially when one must deal with school, work and kids. Things become hectic causing health and wellness to take a backseat.
However, with a few modifications to your daily routines you can be healthy, stay fit and have a successful day.
Below are some of such ways you can stay fit regardless of a busy schedule:
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Drink More Water
It’s very easy to go through the day drinking minimal amounts of water and relying on cups of coffee or your favourite soft drink. This should be minimised as staying hydrated is very important for staying healthy and fit.
Drinking water throughout the day keeps you energised and can help suppress feelings of hunger. It can help to have a water bottle that you could carry around, or if it’s preferable, always have bottled water handy.
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Eat A Healthy Breakfast Everyday
It is important to take some time to have a nutritious breakfast every day despite your busy schedule. Having breakfast gives you the essential nutrients that serve as energy to fuel your body through the day. A good example of a meal that can be prepared quickly or ahead of time is a smoothie. It can be stored in the fridge and grabbed on your way out the door.
Having breakfast also means that you snack less, this will go far in making sure you avoid unhealthy snacks, ensuring you stay in shape and remain fit.
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Create a List of Action Items
If you often find yourself overwhelmed by your work, and by implication are always missing your gym and workout appointments. You’ll need to draw up a ‘To-Do List’.
Keep a bullet journal of your day-to-day grind, the millions of to-do’s as well as due-dates and cancel out as you complete them to ensure you don’t miss out on your workout sessions or times set aside for your exercise.
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Have Healthy Snacks On-Hand
Even though you might have had a healthy breakfast, it’s not out of the ordinary for you to get hungry every now and then. Keep healthy snacks at home, in your car or in your bag or backpack to avoid the temptation of buying snacks that are unhealthy for you.
You may also pack fruits but choose those that are small to carry and pack a powerful energy kick.
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Avoid Sitting All Day
Identify times of the day when you can get up, move around and get active. Even if it’s for just a few minutes at a time.
Sitting for extended periods can lead to serious health challenges like slower metabolism, weakened muscles and lower back pains.
You may use a lunch break to get in some stretching and a walk. You should also use a standing desk or swiss ball as your chair at the office as both engage lower body muscles.
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Stick to Your Bedtime
Regardless of our age or schedules, adhering strictly to a bedtime helps us get the sleep we need and gives the ability to function at a high level the following day.
Create a nighttime routine by limiting screen time of phones and computers. Also remember to avoid late night snacking. Doing these will make you fall asleep faster, wake up well-rested and adequately refreshed.
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Make Time for A Morning Workout
Once you’ve had a good night sleep, creating time for a morning workout can help you stay healthy and energised for your daily activities. You may start with a bicycle ride, jog or hit the weight room.
This will go a long way in increasing your metabolism, focus, energy level and brighten your mood. You can also have your kids join in for a few minutes before school if there’s time.
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Get Organised
Taking thirty minutes each night to organise for the coming day can help a great deal in saving time and reducing stress and headaches. Take the time to put together your attire, lunch and healthy snacks for the next day.
Keep an area in your home for things you need to pick up like your bags, sports equipment and any other things you might need for the day. Doing these will improve your sleep and increase time for other fitness activities.
In summary, being physically and mentally fit requires a change in lifestyle which includes avoiding junk foods and fizzy drinks. It is also important to get the right amount of sleep – all of which will set you on the path to physical and mental fitness.
Lastly, the best thing about being fit is that it’s not just beneficial to you. It benefits your family, friends and co-workers as it will generally make you more productive, happy and likeable.
