Holidays,
stress, post-holidays, even more stress -- who has time for taking care
of ourselves? You do! Resolve to follow these eight diet, exercise, and
lifestyle tips, and you can be good to yourself this winter - and all
year long.
1. Enjoy the Benefits of Yogurt
It's
creamy smooth, packed with flavor -- and just may be the wonder food
you've been craving. Research suggests that that humble carton of yogurt
may:
- Help prevent osteoporosis
- Reduce your risk of high blood pressure
- Aid gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and constipation
2. De-Stress With Meditation
The
bad weather, the seasonal pace, work: If this time of year has your
stress meter spiking, it may be time to close your eyes, breathe ... and
get a little repetitive.
Repetition
is at the heart of meditation's soothing power. The act of banishing
thoughts, focusing on your breathing, and repeating a single word or
phrase, fires up your body's natural relaxation response.
And
meditation can do more than soothe away stress. Research shows it may
help lower blood pressure, boost immunity, reduce PMS symptoms, even aid
in fertility and the delivery of a new mom's milk.
3. Start a Winter Tradition: Family Workouts
Grandparents are in town, a flurry of kids is underfoot, and you're wondering where you'll find time for a quick winter workout.
4. Eat Locally
Organic may be today's healthy-eating watchword, but don't forget this phrase too: eat locally.
Some
nutritionists think eating locally may be even more important than
eating organically. That's because a vital factor in a food's nutrient
profile is how long it took to get from farm to table: A head of locally
grown lettuce, for example, may be more nutrient-dense than one shipped
coast to coast.
Does
this mean you should forgo pesticide-free foods when they're available?
No, but it's a great idea to make room on your plate for locally-grown
goods too, even if they haven't been grown the organic way. Better yet:
Eat locally and organic, when you can.
5. Try These 3 Simple Diet & Exercise Tips
Go
Slow: You don't need to do a diet slash-and-burn. If you cut just 200
calories a day you'll see slow (and easy) weight loss. Skip a pat of
butter here, a cookie there and you're on your way!
Start
Small: Banning junk food from the cupboards or boosting fiber may be
your goal, but think baby steps. Switch from potato chips to low-fat
popcorn, for example, or toss a carrot into your brown bag lunch.
Just
Show Up: Don't feel like working out today? Don those exercise clothes
anyway. Still not in the mood? Fine. But chances are good that once
you're dressed, you're also motivated and ready to go!
