5 tips on keeping healthy on a busy schedule

Life can sometimes feel too jam-packed with tight deadlines, frequent traffic snarl-ups and many other activities that ultimately lead to people sidelining health matters in favor of convenience.

A healthy lifestyle can help you thrive throughout your life. Making healthy choices isn’t an easy affair as it can be hard to find the time to exercise regularly or cook healthy meals. However, one’s effort eventually will pay off in many ways in life if followed strictly.

Below are key factors to adhere to if you want to remain healthy:

1. EXERCISE

Despite being in a busy schedule, you can set aside 30 minutes of physical activity during the week. The best way to achieve this goal is to break the duration into three 10-minute sessions. It is probably impossible at times to go to the gym each day but it’s possible to take the stairs instead of an elevator daily or take a walk home in the evening instead of taking a matatu.

Gardening, vacuuming, dancing and walking around the neighborhood counts too.

Its easier to feel good about life if your body feels good. Just keep exercising however little it is!

2. SLEEP WELL

Sleep deprivation slows down your metabolism and negatively affects your immune system, which is one of worst things that can happen to a busy person.

Set yourself a bedtime that’s eight hours before you have to wake up & start getting ready for bed 30 minutes prior to that.

Bringing a book to bed rather than a phone or laptop helps you relax and drift off to sleep.

When you wake up, allow yourself some unfocused time each day to refresh and let your mind wander for a while which will restore both your mind & body.

3. EATING RIGHT

Eating a healthy balanced snack will keep you on your toes longer.

Make sure you eat quality, high-fibre carbohydrates for long lasting energy & a lean protein to help you keep satisfied.

Choose meals that are low in saturated fat, cholesterol and moderate in sugar, salt and total fat.

The two will work together to keep your energy up and decrease your desire to eat random fast foods.

With time, eat carbohydrates just once a day probably over lunch or breakfast and focus more on proteins, fruits and vegetables in the evening.

Also work towards phasing out carbohydrates that have gluten and lots of oil like chapati, mandazi, bread and generally wheat products and try to only take them once or twice a week.

4. DRINKING UP

People often mistake thirst for hunger, prompting them to overeat, which makes them eat tons of food not required in the body.

Drink in moderation if you drink alcohol or unhealthy stuff and substitute it with healthier alternatives such as iced-green tea or lime. Above all, make water your best friend. It should never leave your side.

5. AVOID INJURY

Avoid injury by taking the necessary precautions such as wearing seatbelts and bike helmets and using smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

Stay out of the sun especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun’s harmful rays are the strongest.

This will go a long way in ensuring healthy skin and strong joints.

By MUNGA MUCHEMI

The author also contributes health articles for www.healthadvisor.co.ke