micro BITES

For me, a healthy lifestyle includes a lot more than exercise and eating well. It’s so important to give thought to the other factors that come together to help you get healthy. Once we’ve learned them, it’s essential to make them habits and keep them up! Mini Bites is where I like to share some more bites of information on other healthy topics. Here are some of my favorite Mini Bites!

BEING HEALTHY IS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Getting healthy is so important for people of all ages. Ask a family member to help you with your new choices! When I realized that I needed to reconnect with my health, I sat down with my parents to talk over my new plan. We came up with ways that we could work together to reach our goals. Organize your menus for the week together, go to the supermarket together, shop for your food together, cook together, and eat meals together! Making fitness a family activity is a great idea, too! For example, go for a walk or bike ride together. You’ll have so much fun and enjoy some time to talk and you’ll get your mind off the hustle and bustle of the day. These are awesome ways to spend quality time with your family while working together to achieve healthy goals.

GOOD REST MATTERS

Sleep is food for the brain. Check out www.sleepfoundation.org for information on the virtues of sleep! When I sleep well, my energy level is great. When I don’t, I’m irritable and I can’t focus as well. Most articles that I’ve read recommend getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night. I try to get as much sleep as I can. Sometimes I need more than 8 hours! We’re all different with different habits. We need to know ourselves and know what we need to feel strong and healthy!

For me, here’s how I benefit from a good night of sleep:

• My body and mind have a chance to rest and recharge.
• I feel stronger and I’m able to fight off sickness and stay healthy. When I sleep, my immune system is better equipped to protect my body from the illnesses that we can all get.
• I’m much more alert and can focus a lot better.

Tips for good Sleep:

• I get into bed with a book and read before bed. It clears my mind and helps me to relax (of course, if only if it’s a good book!). After reading for twenty minutes or so, I start to get tired, if I wasn’t already. Plus, it’s a great time to get in some reading.
• I try to make sure that my bed is a comfortable place to sleep. Pillows, blankets, temperature—it all matters! A lot of times, I travel with my own favorite pillow.
• I try not to exercise within a few hours of going to bed. Exercise gives me so much energy that I’m often unable to go to sleep right away. In addition, I love to save that right-after-exercising energy for when I need it, like during a busy afternoon. I usually get tired near the evening when I exercise during the day and physical activity helps me to sleep better, so that’s an added advantage.
• I try to go to bed around the same time most nights, and wake up around the same time, too.

GET REGULAR CHECKUPS FROM YOUR DOCTOR

I go for yearly checkups right around my birthday. No, I really don’t look forward to it (!), but I do it anyway to make sure I’m on track!

SEE THE DENTIST and BRUSH & FLOSS YOUR TEETH

For me, good oral hygiene goes hand-in-hand with being healthy. By brushing my teeth thoroughly every night, and following that up with a good floss, I know that I’m taking steps to protect and preserve my teeth, gums, and mouth.

SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS

Spending time with friends is so much fun! It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy spare time. Go to a movie, to dinner, exercise together—whatever you want to do is perfect! Just have fun! It’s an excellent way to reduce stress and build lasting relationships with great people!

PLAN FUN TIME

We all need a break now and then! A really kewl way to unwind, relax, and let go of stress is by planning fun time. Working your favorite activity or outing into the day can help to energize and motivate you to reach your healthy goals, and do well in the other areas of your life. After all, according to www.webmd.com, stress can lead to gaining weight, so there’s a good reason to plan some fun time!