Feeling a little lethargic and can’t figure out why? Try ticking off these easy tasks regularly and you might notice a difference. Incorporating small daily habits will benefit your mental health and help you feel more energised. Consistency with these habits can also ensure you get the most out of your days! We asked Jessica Spendlove, a well-known performance dietitian in the field of sport and dietetics, the queen of colourful buddha bowls and advocate for daily physical activity, to share just five simple hacks for improving our daily health.
Start your day on the front foot
“Rather than snoozing five times, throwing down a coffee and running out the door (or to the home office), make mornings the start to a winning day. It’s definitely about finding a routine which will work for all the morning variables, but playing around with some meditation, movement, mobility, reading/learning or journaling might help. My mornings incorporate meditation, making my bed and movement!”
Colour therapy
“This one is a super simple hack which will transform your health, how you feel and make your food look better – all very important elements. All you need to do here is add some fruit or vegetables (aka colour) to each meal or snack. If you’re having cereal and milk for breakfast, add some berries or a banana. If eggs on toast is more your jam, sneak in some spinach or tomato. It’s that simple.”
Include some protein in your diet
“Here are some tips to help you get more protein at breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, use cow’s milk or soy milk, add some Greek yoghurt to your cereal, add some eggs or smoked salmon to your avocado on toast. For snacks, you can use similar items, like a Greek yoghurt with some fruit salad, or try having some rice cakes with cottage cheese or turkey (and don’t forget to make it colourful too!)”
Drink more water
“How many times have we been told to drink more water? The trick here is to get it on your radar, make it a habit and make it enjoyable. Some of my favourite tips are to have a glass of water with each meal; set an hourly reminder on your calendar or desktop to stay hydrated; invest in a fancy water bottle or glass to make the process more enjoyable; add bubbles, because fizz makes water more fun.”
Move your body
“If you find something you enjoy, chances are you will be consistent with the practice! Join a team sport or have a walking buddy to hold you accountable. Moving your body boosts your energy, improves your mood and will even promote a better night's sleep – sign me up for all of those!”
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