Sometimes it can feel like maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an overwhelming challenge that does not fit within the realities of daily life. It is tough to hold down a full-time job, eat well, train for a marathon, make homemade green juice, spend quality time with your family/partner, and meditate for an hour each day.
Of course, healthy living can incorporate all of these things (if you want it to), but it does not have to be defined by grandiose displays of health and fitness.
1. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning
Coffee’s great too, but it is best to start your day by rehydrating with a full glass of water. Hydrating first thing in the morning helps to aid digestion, enhance skin health, and boost energy.
2. Take the stairs
Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a simple way to get a little more activity that is physical in your daily life. It also strengthens and tones your legs and core while you are at it!
3. Switch to non-toxic household cleaning products
Conventional household cleaning products are full of harmful chemical ingredients that are not good for our health (or the health of our kids or pets!). Switching to healthier alternatives is a simple way to reduce your exposure to environmental toxins in your home. See our Healthy Cleaning Guide for a complete list of recommendations, and what to look for when choosing safer household cleaning products.
4. Use non-toxic skincare + personal care products
Similar to cleaning products, conventional skincare, and personal care products are formulated with toxic ingredients we should not regularly let absorb into our body’s largest organ. Reduce the toxic burden on your body by switching to non-toxic personal care and beauty products (see our specific recommendations on deodorant, sunscreen, and green beauty products).
5. Stand up every 30 minutes while working
Reduce the harmful effects of sitting (like at your desk job) by standing up and moving around for a minute or two every half hour.
6. Get sunlight every day
Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for overall health, and the sunlight is one of our best sources of it. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of sunlight each day—preferably in the afternoon, and without sunscreen (read more about that here). Not much sunlight in the winter where you live? It might be worth supplementing with a vitamin D supplement and/or other food sources of this essential nutrient.
