Jewell Cares: Resolution & Healthy Habit Hacks

23 Dec Jewell Cares: Resolution & Healthy Habit Hacks

January is the time to set positive intentions and resolutions for the New Year and for most people, those resolutions usually involve the standard “get to the gym more”, “eat less”, “lose X number of pounds” “sleep more”, you know them. You’ve probably made at least one of them in your lifetime.

This year, why not make those resolutions a little bit easier to stick to? This months’ Jewell Cares is full of healthy ‘hacks’ that will keep you on track without much extra effort! Here are 4 hacks for the most common resolutions.

Typical Resolution: Exercise More.
Health Hack: Stand or walk more at work. See if you can convert your desk to a standing desk. If that isn’t an option, check out a stability ball chair as a way to constantly work your core while you’re at your desk.

Typical Resolution: Lose Weight.
Health Hack(s): Use a smaller plate when you eat. Visually, we’ll trick ourselves into thinking we’re eating more than we actually are (AWESOME!), calorically, we’ll be eating less than if we had our meal off a traditional dinner plate. Also, slow down when you eat! It takes around 20 minutes for foods to start digesting, so it makes sense that your stomach needs about the same amount of time to realize you’re slow. Trying putting your fork down in between bites and enjoying some conversation with friends or family.

Typical Resolution: Sleep More
Health Hack: Turn off the electronics. Starting at least 30 minutes before you head into the bedroom, turn off the phone, iPad, tablet, TV, computer, or anything with a screen. Yes, even your eReader. Make your bedroom an electronics-free zone and instead trying reading an actual book, talking with your partner as you both start to fall asleep, or just meditate. You’ll be surprised how much easier it will be for you to fall asleep.

Typical Resolution: Become More Productive at Work
Health Hack: Walk more! Aim for 10,000 or more steps per day. In a 2011 report done on workplace fitness, participants who walked 10,000 or more steps daily reported an average of 41% increase in productivity of the course of the program. Dust off that pedometer and get walking!