Not only is the holiday season approaching (some say it’s already here!), but it’s also getting chillier outside. Plus, the days are shorter and it gets dark faster. November is commonly a time when our health habits start to slip and it’s harder to stay on track.
With all this in mind, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to vary your routine and bring some focus and clarity into your life. Try some of them below.
Tips for a Healthy November
Find a New App to Track Your Habits
Our phones do so much more than make calls, send texts, and let us scroll through social media. There are apps that can help you drink more water, practice self-care, squeeze exercise into your day, log your food intake, and much more. Some examples:
- Headspace – Manage stress and cultivate mindfulness
- Sleep Cycle – Improve your sleep duration and quality
- Offtime – Balance your use of digital devices
- Shopwell – Simplify nutrition choices and find foods that fit your plan
Get Creative with Fall Soups and Stews
Warm-up with a cozy bowl of autumn soup by exploring new flavors and soup recipes. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, acorn squash, parsnips, and kale are all examples of delicious seasonal vegetables. Browse Pinterest for some new ideas or find some here.
Find Healthy Indoor Activities
With the temperatures dropping and shorter days ahead, you will likely be spending more time indoors. Rather than spend it on the couch, look for more meaningful activities like reading, crafting, or keeping up with housework. These distractions can also help curb cravings for less-than-healthy snacks and comfort food.
Make a Gratitude List
Practicing gratitude is scientifically proven to increase your overall happiness. A lot has happened in 2020, and you may be struggling in some areas, but try to find some good in your life that you can be grateful for. Pro tip: write them in a journal so you can go back and reflect on them at any time. This is also a practice in creativity.
Find Simple Ways to Get Active
Don’t overthink physical activity and assume you need to carve out structured time to make it happen. You can get active in the smallest, simplest ways – like bundling up for a short walk after dinner, raking leaves, or parking your car a good distance from the store. Even housework like vacuuming and doing laundry can count. Just stay moving.
Have a healthy, happy, and meaningful November!
