“Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become your habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character.” – Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher’s quotation about thoughts reflects the truth that it is the accumulation of small things that build into greater things. The same is true about your health. Good health is not about one big decision you make. It is the accumulation of many small, daily decisions.
Daily Actions for Better Health
Life can get so busy that we overlook the small things we can do each day that take just an extra minute or two to implement, but can eventually have a great impact on our health. Here are a few of our offices favorite daily choices that help build a healthy lifestyle.
- Park at the back of the lot to get more steps.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Set aside 5-10 minutes in the morning to set your intention for the day. Include prayer, devotion, affirmation, or meditation.
- Choose one day per week (or more!) to “unplug” from electronic devices.
- Carry a glass or stainless steel water bottle to promote hydration.
- Make multiple trips. If you are doing laundry, carrying in groceries, etc, make several trips to increase your movement.
- Practice gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal or by setting aside 5-10 minutes before bed to reflect on daily blessings.
- Include at least one serving of vegetables at every meal.
- Swap a packaged snack for a piece of fruit or prepare snack size portions of raw or roasted vegetables to grab on-the-go.
- Take two minutes before each meal to pray and practice “belly breathing” to assist your nervous system in switching to a “rest and digest” mode.
- Do squats, sit ups, or other small movements while watching your favorite TV shows.
- Exercise your mind with apps like Lumosity and Peak.
If you aren’t ready to implement all of these tips, choose your favorite 2-3 to start with. Share your intentions with a friend or family member so they can help remind you to incorporate them into your daily practice.
