No matter your political slant — rant or chant — Election Day is done, and its outcome is no longer in your control. But some things — namely nutrition, exercise, stress management and sleep — are within your control, even though you may have to conceptualize, strategize and sometimes try new habits on for size to find the right fit for your lifestyle. So, in this post-election week, I’m offering a bipartisan strategy to help you navigate the self-health maze with a little less craze:
1. Be a strategist.
Although eating is a very simple hand-to-mouth movement, walking requires nothing more than placing one foot in front of the other and sleep is as basic as putting your head on the pillow, we all know healthy lifestyle habits are much more complicated than that.
To eat well, you have to have the right foods around, know what to shop for and create plans of attack when ordering out. Committing to an effective exercise routine, meanwhile, might require — at the very least — a good pair of shoes, a gym membership or a physical exam to make sure you are healthy enough to start a new program. Achieving sound sleep may mean you need an electronic device moratorium for a few hours before bed, a new pillow or a change in your meal times so your stomach doesn’t have a fiesta when you are trying to take a siesta.
[See: Can These New Devices Really Help You Sleep Drug-Free?]
2. Pick your platform.
What would you like to accomplish? Lose a few pounds? Tone up? Drop your blood glucose levels? Sleep an extra hour? Run a 5K? Once you choose your goal, you can put a plan into place that outlines your steps to success.
3. Capitalize on your strengths.
Some people love to tackle huge jobs, and are successful with an extreme approach to eating, exercise and stress reduction. Others are moderates who focus on one goal, explore all of their options, find the best practices, cultivate support and see it through before taking on additional tasks. Pick an approach — or mix of approaches — that motivates you most.
4. Reach across the grocery aisle.
The food climate has become so polarizing. Foods are either good or bad, organic or conventional, full-fat or fat-free. Not only can that perspective confuse consumers, but it can also disrupt their nutrient balance and damage their overall health. Aim to create an inclusive eating plan instead to ensure you won’t shortchange yourself on any nutrients. All parts of the supermarket — from fresh to canned to frozen foods — can be constituents of a healthy plate.
[See: 7 Ways to Hack Your Grocery Trip for Weight Loss.]
5. Choose what and who is in your cabinet.
Keeping shelf-stable items in your cabinet can help cut down on trips to the grocery store. But choose those products wisely. Canned soups, oatmeal, dried and freeze-dried fruits, spices, oils, nuts, nut butter, tuna, beans, rice, pasta and canned tomatoes are good choices to create fast, inexpensive, complete meals. For example, just mix tuna, cannellini beans and pasta with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a fast, filling and frugal dinner.
To make the most of your cabinet, rotate its members. Take a look at the expiration dates, keeping veterans at the front and rookies at the back. Do an inspection to weed out items that are past their prime. Get rid of duplicates, too, but remember: As you rotate, you can also donate.
While you’re at it, inspect your exercise cabinet. Do your shoes have good soles? Do you have warm gloves to support you through cold-weather runs? Evaluate your linen cabinet too. Does your pillow provide the neck support you need to prevent aches and pain upon waking?
Your social cabinet matters as well. Are members of your inner circle enablers or disablers? Make sure you have support staff to help you with stress management and body goals. Identify a campaign — not complain — manager who can keep you engaged, not enraged.
6. Develop a (healthy) smear campaign.
How about embracing diversity by smearing hummus, pesto or black beans on your bread instead of mainstream mayo or mustard? These spreads add good fats, fiber and, in some cases, extra protein to your meal. Even a waffle can become savory when you add spicy lentil hummus, shredded chicken and salsa. Or, liven up your lunch by filling a wrap with a thin spread of pesto, turkey and shredded cabbage.
[See: 10 Healthy Meals You Can Make In 10 Minutes.]
Use these political strategies to achieve your diet, sleep, stress management and movement goals. If you do, your body systems will give you a 100-percent approval rating.
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Follow This Bipartisan Strategy to Achieve Your Health Goals originally appeared on usnews.com
