Effective Health Strategies That Fit into Everyday Life

By guest blogger Candace Sigmon
Most people want to live a healthy life; they just don’t know how to fit it into their schedules. Fortunately, some simple strategies can give you a major physical, mental, or emotional boost. If you need options that fit into everyday life, here are some to try.
Compliment People Throughout Your Day
Most people know that receiving compliments gives them a boost. However, dishing out praise also benefits your mood and mental health.
When you give out genuine compliments, you’re injecting positivity into your and someone else’s day. Plus, it can make you feel more confident and, in some cases, even teaches you to be more observant as you begin seeking out reasons to compliment people you encounter.
Make it a habit to compliment your loved ones when you see them. Additionally, don’t be afraid to compliment a stranger as long as it’s appropriate and respectful. That way, you can spread good feelings as far as possible while giving yourself a nice boost.
Make Daily Movement a Priority
If you already have a fitness regimen, keep up the good work! If you don’t, it’s time to make some changes. Physical activity is hands down one of the most important things you can do for your health, particularly if you work in a sedentary job.
Creating a routine can feel a bit daunting, especially if you aren’t a fan of going to the gym or fitness classes. However, this can be easily overcome by tapping into online fitness resources. From videos to online personal training to fitness apps, there are a wealth of options available. Find something you like, then plan to work out at least 3-4 times a week.
The rest of the time, find ways to add extra activity to your day. If you sit at a desk, stand for about 5-10 minutes every hour. Park your car farther away from store entrances, go for evening walks, make multiple trips when carrying in groceries, really anything that helps you move more is key.
Move Away from a Career That Doesn’t Fit
Throughout your lifetime, you may spend an astounding 90,000 hours at work. Since that’s the case, don’t stick with a career that isn’t a good fit.
Work stress is damaging to your mental health. So, if you’re job isn’t keeping you engaged, or you’re ready to head in a new direction, plan for a career change. With online degree programs, you can acquire the skills and knowledge you need while handling your work and personal responsibilities. Just make sure you do your research and find an accredited school with competitive tuition rates. That way, you end up with a quality education at a good price.
Make Healthy Freezer Meals
One of the biggest barriers to healthier eating is often time. If you feel rushed during the day, creating a nutritious breakfast, lunch, or dinner from scratch usually seems impractical. As a result, you may turn away from whole foods and opt for convenience foods, takeout, or something similar.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to make healthy meals convenient. By creating freezer-friendly meals at home, you can make cooking simpler. While you may need to commit a day every other week or every month to prepping the foods, it’s simply a matter of thawing and reheating once that's done.
Plus, this process lets you take advantage of buying in bulk, potentially helping you save some cash, too. Just make sure you invest in quality reusable containers (preferably dishwasher and microwave friendly) to streamline the process while avoiding unnecessary plastic waste.
Combat Isolation with Socialization
For those working from home, it’s easy to feel isolated. That’s why working from home full-time can make some people less happy. While many introverts may prefer the arrangement, the reduced social interaction isn’t as advantageous to extroverts. However, even introverts may experience drawbacks if remote work cuts them off from others entirely, potentially leading to mental health struggles.
Essentially, working from home increases the risk of isolation. Since that’s the case, it’s best to actively work to remain social. When engaging with coworkers, use video calls if gathering in person isn’t an option. Set boundaries regarding your work schedule, ensuring you are only expected to handle work tasks during designated hours, giving you more time for socializing. Add social events to your schedule by making formal plans with loved ones, and try to engage with people every day. Even if it’s a quick chat with a barista at a local coffee shop, it can make a difference.
Develop a Cleaning (and Decluttering) Routine
Having a fresh, vibrant home may reduce tension. When your space is brimming with positive energy, it may minimize conflict, leading to a more pleasant environment overall. Cleaning, decluttering, and letting in fresh air can all help. However, figuring out how to fit the first two into a busy schedule isn’t always easy.
One simple decluttering technique is to take out one item every time you leave a room. It reduces the daily workload by spreading out the process. Additionally, if you bring something new into a space, take two things out. That way, you’re securing a net reduction.
For cleaning, break that process down, too. For example, make one day each week “surface day” and clean the tops of counters, tables, and shelves. Since it’s a single task, it feels less daunting, particularly if you divvy up the activity with household members.

As you can see, it doesn’t take much to incorporate more health strategies into your daily life. With the simple tips above, you’ll be better equipped to fit in healthy efforts with minimal disruption.