Photo Credit: Katie Gahring Photography (thank you for beautiful photos of me and my boys)

5 Tips for Living Healthy With a Busy Lifestyle

Developing healthy habits is a good way to support your body and minimize the risk of

injury or disease. Unfortunately, busy lifestyles leave many people with little time to eat

healthy food and exercise. If you're trying to find ways to boost your health regardless of

your busy schedule, use these five tips from Digital Myst Photography to get started.

1. Set Your House Up for Healthy Living

A healthy lifestyle starts with how you set up your house. If you keep a lot of sugary snacks

in your pantry, you'll be tempted to reach for them instead of fruits or vegetables. If you

have nowhere to rest in peace, you won't have a chance to meditate and relax. Take time to

make changes in your house to reflect healthy living:

● Install a water filter

● Buy healthy foods

● Create a relaxation space

● Keep the house clean and organized

● Set up a home gym

2. Make Time to Move Each Day

Everyone knows that exercise is important for overall health, but you may not have time to

run for an hour every day. Find easy ways to incorporate movement into your day. Take the

stairs instead of the elevator when you go to work. Park far away from the store while

running errands to get in extra steps. Take your dog for a walk each evening. If you live in a

walkable area, choose to walk to errands and appointments instead of driving, too. Each

little change can make a big difference.

You don't have to block out a ton of time for exercise, but movement is important.

Increasing the amount of time you move each day is a great way to boost both physical and

mental health.

3. Practice Meal Prepping

If you don't have time to cook a healthy dinner every night, meal prepping is a lifesaver.

You spend a few hours in the kitchen one day and prepare food to have in the fridge for

each night. The meals are carefully portioned, so not only does this habit make it easy to eat

healthy after a long day at work, but it also helps you count macronutrients. You can meal

plan breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner to make your life easier.

4. Create a Workout Plan

Working out at least three times a week has numerous health benefits, but it can be hard to

fit a long workout into a busy schedule. You don't have to make time to go to a gym because

a few dumbbells and some body-weight exercises can help you achieve the same result.

Plan out your workouts so that you know exactly what exercises to do and how long to do

them. Not only does this habit ensure that you hit every muscle group throughout the

week, but it also helps you fit time for the workout into your schedule.

It’s important to consult with your doctor before starting a rigorous workout routine, so

make an appointment to get their input first. If you’ve put off getting insurance because of

the cost, look into the plans implemented by your state because of the Affordable Care Act.

You may be surprised by how affordable they can be. And your health is worth some

financial investment.

5. Drink More Water

One study shows that most American adults don't drink nearly enough water every day,

with 75% being chronically dehydrated. Hydration is crucial for your body's performance,

so you can easily boost your health by increasing the amount of liquid you drink. Most

adults need at least 64 ounces of water a day to stay properly hydrated. If you have trouble

drinking enough water, try eating hydrating fruit such as watermelon, grapes, and

blueberries to make up the difference.

Make Your Health Your Priority

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to take a ton of time. Find ways to incorporate small

habits into your daily routine. These tips can boost your overall health.