The original article was written by Jennifer McGregor jmcgreg@publichealthlibrary.org and has been updated by Robert Paugh in November 2020.
Have Your Healthiest Year Yet (And Save Money Doing It!)
Year after year, getting healthier and saving money top the list of most popular New Year’s resolutions. While it might seem like these two goals are incompatible — diet plans and personal trainers aren’t cheap, after all — there’s a lot you can do to improve your health without hurting your wallet. These three healthy living tips are impactful, affordable, and best of all, they’re simple enough that anyone can do them!
Move More Often
After sitting at the office all day, sitting on the commute home, and sitting through dinner and TV, it’s easy to go an entire day barely moving. In fact, the average American only takes 3,000-4,000 steps per day. While you don’t necessarily have to clock 10,000 steps every day, moving more pays off: In one study, women who walked 7,500 hundred steps per day saw the biggest boosts to longevity.
Setting aside time for exercise is important, but it’s not all you should do to stay active. Moving throughout the day also has a big impact on health, especially if you work a sedentary job. While it might not seem like it, you’re improving your health every time you park at the far end of the lot or stand up from your desk.
Sedentary habits are hard to break, but the right tools can help you stay accountable. Activity break apps are a low-cost way to remember to move during the workday, but for all-around activity tracking, look to a Fitbit or smartwatch. While more expensive than an app, fitness trackers also come with a lot more features. In addition to logging steps and reminding you to move, a fitness tracker can tell you how hard you worked out and how many calories you burned. If you want to save money on a fitness tracker, use a website like Rakuten to find the best deals on watches around the web, including used and discounted options.
Get Better Sleep
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to health is underestimating the importance of sleep. However, while sleep may seem like an inconvenience in light of your busy lifestyle, the quality of your sleep plays a role in everything from your immune health to your decision-making abilities.
I came across an article on how meditation can help people sleep better. The information and research is accurate and up to date as possible. Take a look at the article as it may help you get to sleep and sleep better. Meditation Exercises for a Better Sleep
Scheduling 7-9 hours of sleep per night is the first step to take, but what if you go to bed on time but still struggle to sleep? Rather than turning to sleeping pills, look for tools that improve your sleep without side effects. White noise machines and blackout drapes are surprisingly affordable at budget-friendly retailers like Kohls or TJMaxx. If its unhealthy habits get in the way of quality rest, look to apps for budget-friendly solutions. Whether you need to block sleep-disrupting blue light, relax your mind, or be reminded to go to bed, there’s an app for that.
Eat Plant-Based Foods
Plant-based diets lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, making them a clear choice for better health. Plant-based diets come in a variety of forms, including veganism which excludes all animal products, vegetarianism, and flexitarians, which includes limited amounts of meat.
Whether you take the plunge into veganism or adopt a flexitarian diet, it’s important to build your diet around whole foods, not processed goods. While meat replacements and other processed foods are convenient, they don’t offer the health benefits of a whole foods, plant-based diet. They’re also more expensive than healthy plant-based proteins like beans, peas, lentils, and tofu.
Summary
If you follow the suggestions above. That is moving more often by getting out of your chair or away from the television and taking a walk. Next try to get a good night's sleep and it is important to maintain a regular sleeping schedule. The last and especially important is to move away from the Standard American Diet and begin to adapt a plant-based diet and lifestyle. These are the 3 Ways to Have Your Healthiest Year Yet.
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