A demanding work schedule and busy home life often leave little leeway to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Bills add up, too, and setting aside money to spend on healthy habits isn’t always a plausible option. However, you don’t have to drastically change your daily routine in order to make time for what really counts: your health.
Eat a Balanced Diet
It isn’t uncommon for workaholics to prioritize fast food over home-prepped meals to save time, but there has to be a limit to how much junk food you actually take in. Time management is important, but so is your health, and you can’t do your job properly if you’re not eating the right foods to keep you alert and energized. In fact, sweets and fatty foods often leave you feeling tired and sluggish, while highly processed foods with preservatives lack the nutrition your body needs to function well.
Instead, opt for a balanced diet of whole grains, dairy products, fruits, nuts, vegetables, proteins, and omega-3 essential fatty acids. Foods such as oatmeal, blueberries, almonds, walnuts, avocado, and salmon can even boost your brain health, especially cognitive function, which leads to better work productivity.
Shop on a Budget
You don’t have to dip too deeply into your earnings to afford healthier meals. Stock up on foods with a long shelf life, such as oatmeal, whey, canned goods, and frozen fruits and vegetables. If you’re trying to build muscle, you’ll need a healthy dose of protein and carbs in your diet. Budget-conscious shoppers should focus on low-cost options such as eggs, milk, Greek yogurt, potatoes, beans, pasta, and less-expensive meats like frozen chicken and ground beef (rinsing can reduce the fat content).
What might be cheaper one day could raise in price the next, so take advantage of discounts and sales while you can. If you don’t have the time to invest into clipping coupons, consider downloading a coupon app on your smartphone. You can build and manage your grocery list, access in-store coupons, and compare food prices for the best deals. Aldi discount codes through Groupon are a great example of how to find more deals when shopping for groceries.
Maintain an Active Lifestyle
If you’re trying to bulk up and add muscle, you probably want to hit the gym or your own strength training equipment frequently, but you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of time at the gym every week to maintain an active lifestyle. We know a busy schedule leaves you strapped for time, but consistency is key to keeping up with good habits.
Consider walking to work if the weather (and distance) permits it, do a round of Pilates in your living room, or really get your heart pumping with some high-intensity circuit training. If solo exercise isn’t your thing, make a workout buddy out of a friend, co-worker, or family member.
Don’t Let Work Consume You
You shouldn’t let your work habits overpower your willingness to live a healthier life. Instead of focusing on upcoming deadlines and business meetings, take some time for yourself to de-stress and clear your head from the pressures of the job. Whether you’re determined to spend more quality time with friends and family, take up a new hobby, or develop better sleeping habits, you don’t have to let your workaholic tendencies dictate your personal life.
No matter how busy you are, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate healthy habits into your everyday routine.
