Having an active lifestyle can mean a number of different things. You may be a busy executive running from meeting to meeting, or you may belong to several clubs that keep you going late into the night. Parents are incredibly active managing schedules and taking care of kids, and college students are frazzled balancing a course load and friends.
While the definition of “active lifestyle” may not be universal, the following ways that you can improve upon your habits apply to almost everyone:
1. Stop Using Tobacco
If you use tobacco, you are zapping yourself of energy, years, and life quality. The number one way to improve an active lifestyle for tobacco users is to quit. You have a wide variety of cessation aids to choose from, so you do not have to quit cold turkey anymore.
When you make the decision to kick the habit, it’s a good idea to reach out to friends and family who can cheer you on and hold you accountable. You never know, maybe they will want to join you on your journey.
2. Try CBD
Okay, so you’ve had friends telling you to try CBD for everything from anxiety to acne, but maybe you have been skeptical. We get it. Especially since taking CBD generally does not result in an immediately noticeable difference.
However, if you are careful to buy CBD gummies that are from a reputable company, you won’t be sorry. They can help reduce inflammation after a tough workout, and their relaxing properties may help you sleep better at night.
While gummies are delicious, maybe they aren’t your thing. Using CBD cream is a great way to help you relax and soothe your sore muscles right away. Massaging it into your most tense spots will help you feel better so you can move on with your day.
3. Evaluate Your Diet
If you have noticed that you are feeling low on energy, you could be missing out on the nutrition you need for the activities you do most. Weightlifters will need a different diet from runners; and your body type (which can change over time) will also affect the foods you should eat.
4. Drink More Water
We all know that hydration is important, but many still neglect this need. If you are thirsty, there is a good chance you are already on your way to being dehydrated. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to help regulate your body temperature, protect against infection, and improve your mood and cognition.
5. Take Time to Slow Down
People who live an active lifestyle don’t necessarily make time to stop and smell the roses very often. If you find that you are not appreciating the things that are right in front of you, scarfing down food without even tasting it, only half-listening when people are talking to you, you are missing out.
Try to spend more time being mindful of your surroundings. Consider taking up meditation. Go on a walk that is intentionally slow. Taste your food when you eat it. Make eye contact and absorb what your friends are saying when you have a conversation. You may find yourself feeling more grateful when you take more notice of the good things in your life.
6. Do More Outside
Going outside for even ten minutes a day can help boost your immune system and improve your mood. Sunshine is a natural source of vitamin D, and your creativity increases the more time you spend in fresh air.
Even if you don’t exercise outside, get out there and take in the nature around you. It will help you clear your mind and give you a break from the grind.
7. Switch Up Your Routine
Even if you just pick one day a week to do things differently than you normally do, this can help keep your mind nimble and prevent boredom. Routines are nice to have because they support a lifestyle that leaves little room for unstructured time. However, you’ll find yourself thinking out of the box more and tackling tasks more efficiently if you give yourself the freedom to switch things up once in a while.
8. Connect With Others
Connecting with your loved ones can help you feel lighter. It gives you an opportunity to both get and give support, share a laugh, and know that you are appreciated. Try to choose one or two days a week to talk to someone on the phone, go for a walk, get coffee, or chat over Zoom. It may be difficult to be the first to reach out, but you will probably be surprised about how enthusiastically you are received.
9. Celebrate Small Victories
You don’t have to make enormous changes or have big wins to have a reason to be proud. When something good happens, no matter how small, find a way to celebrate.
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