Many people are juggling a career, their family obligations, and social life, which can be exhausting and overwhelming. Unfortunately, some people are so busy that they forget to prioritize their own health and wellbeing, but what they don’t realize is the key to being able to do it all is finding a way to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Finding balance doesn’t have to be difficult—in fact, it all comes down to carving out time in your day to sleep and work out in order to live a healthier life.
Sleep Your Way to a Healthier Life
Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress, poor judgement, and irritability. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, it can also affect your health. Research has shown that people who don’t sleep enough shorten their life expectancy and increase their risk of developing serious health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Lack of sleep can also affect your appearance. Your skin will become dehydrated without enough sleep, and you may even suffer from breakouts or patches of redness.
Most adults need eight hours of sleep per night, but some people may need more or less. If you still find yourself struggling to keep your eyelids open during the day after sleeping a full eight hours, you may be part of the group of people who need more than eight hours every night.
Start balancing your life by getting a good night’s sleep tonight. It helps if you get in a routine and go to sleep around the same time every night. In just a few days, your body will be programmed to start winding down when your bedtime approaches. If you can’t sleep because you’re thinking about what you have to do the next day, grab a pen and paper and make a to-do list. Writing everything down that you have to do the next day will clear your head so you can focus solely on drifting off to sleep. Try not to drink any caffeine in the evening, and if you’re having trouble getting your body to wind down, slip into a warm bath or put on a relaxation CD. You can also turn to our liquid yoga product line, which is designed to help people relax on even the toughest of days.
Working OutThe second step in starting to live a healthier life is finding time to workout on a regular basis. Exercising can improve your mood, reduce your risk of developing serious health conditions, boost your energy levels, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
The best part about exercising is you can reap different rewards depending on what type of workout you do. Running is a great cardio exercise that will burn calories and boost endorphins, while performing yoga poses can reduce stress, increase flexibility, and strengthen your muscles. Find a way to incorporate different types of exercise into your weekly routine so you can benefit more from your workouts. If you’re just starting to exercise, you may want to use the Workout Wonder Muscle Gel before and after your workout to help soothe tired muscles and prevent that post-workout burn.
Many people don’t exercise because they think they don’t have enough time in their days. Fortunately, you can sneak in a little bit of exercise throughout your day. For example, turn your commute to work into a workout by riding a bike or walking to the office. Instead of going to dinner and drinks with your friends, plan a date to the gym or attend a group fitness class together. As long as you prioritize exercising, you will be able to shift your schedule around and find time for it.
So you see, finding balance to live a healthier life doesn’t have to be difficult. Find time for sleeping and exercising and you’ll be amazed at how different you feel after getting a good night’s sleep and physically challenging your body. By incorporating more sleep and exercise into your day, you’ll be able to handle your work and family obligations with ease!
Cassie Brewer is a health professional in Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys writing about her passion (healthy living of course!) and everything beauty related. Nothing makes her happier than helping other be the best version of themselves they can be. Twitter @Cassiembrewer