3 Tips for Revamping Your Lifestyle This Summer
Old habits got you feeling stuck in a rut? Can’t shake that nasty case of the same-old same-old? Well, lucky for you, summer is just around the corner. Summer is when the natural world is at peak growth. So what better time to seize the moment, let go of the past, and level up your life? Stop holding yourself back from your true potential. Here are a few tips to help you totally revamp your lifestyle this summer.
Eat Good Food
Eating better has been on your “to-do” list for a little too long by now, don’t you think? It’s no surprise: revamping your diet can feel like a complex, overwhelming task to tackle. But it’s worthwhile, because “you are what you eat” isn’t just a saying. Consume too many ultra-processed, sugary foods and you’ll be swimming in a puddle of brain fog. Get your greens on, and you’ll tend to feel fresh and clear.
Thankfully, figuring out how to eat healthier and actually doing it has never been easier. There are an abundance of health food blogs, YouTubers, and pre-made meal kits out there to explore. People are doing some seriously good work simplifying and condensing complex information to make it more digestible. Now, there’s no one-size-fits-all way to eat healthy. But there are a couple of general changes you can make that will seriously upgrade your nutritional habits.
A good rule of thumb to follow when trying to eat healthier is to look at the colors of your food. Focus on mainly eating plates of natural foods like dark, leafy greens and vibrant, colorful fruits. If your meals are too beige, it’s often a sign you need to add more variety. If you’re looking for a convenient way to get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, try multivitamins or even a green powder drink. While adjusting your diet is the best way to go, that doesn’t mean supplements can’t play a supportive role in your journey.
Get Moving
If you’ve been neglecting your physical health, here’s your sign to cut it out. You may love exercise, or you may want to exorcize it from existence. Either way, the truth of the matter is that getting your blood pumping is good for you. One reason is that a proper workout sesh will flood your body with those sweet sweet endorphins. They call it “runner’s high” for a reason, you know.
The good news is exercise doesn’t have to be some hard, grueling thing reserved for bodybuilders and Instagram models. Just 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week has a plethora of benefits. It reduces your risk of getting heart disease and stroke and may reduce your chances of getting cancer and infectious diseases.
You don’t need to hit the gym for four hours each morning or have biceps on your biceps to get fit. It can be as simple as going for a brisk walk every day and doing push ups twice a week. If you want to incorporate weight into your exercise, try adjustable dumbbells. That way you can easily gain muscle without taking up too much space.
Also, think about how you enjoyed moving as a kid. If you liked climbing trees and playing in the pool, give climbing gyms or swimming a try again. Reframe what you think exercise is, and you might find it can actually be pretty fun.
Get Your Head in the Game
Speaking of reframing, it’ll likely come as no surprise to hear that breaking your old habits can be tricky. Whether it’s munching on a sugary treat or chilling on the couch while watching Netflix, habits are a source of comfort. So when you try to change them — going against your natural tendencies — you’re going to encounter some resistance. And, as with many things in life, one of the best ways to deal with resistance is to tackle it head-on.
As you begin to revamp your lifestyle, you’re going to feel uncomfortable, so plan it into your day. Sounds strange, but the quicker you become comfortable with feeling uncomfortable, the better. Do something that pushes your comfort zone a little bit first thing in the morning. This will give you a burst of morning momentum that you can carry into the rest of your day.
Overcoming resistance first thing in the morning may be as simple as getting out of bed the moment you wake up. Often your bed feels the most comfortable in the morning when you’ve got lots of responsibilities calling your name. Instead of putting life off, jump up and out of bed and embrace what the day has to offer you. Put your phone on the other side of your room when you go to sleep the night before. That way, when your alarm goes off, the only way to stop it will be to get up and at ‘em.
Be Persistent This Summer Season
Whether it’s the change in weather or maybe just reading the article, something will spark a wave of motivation in you to make a change. You’ll ride that wave, work through some initial resistance, and get some wins under your belt. Revamping your lifestyle is going to be hard at first. It’s also not going to be as hard as you think. Luckily, it gets easier as you keep at it. The key is to be persistent.