Did you know that forming a new habit can take anywhere from 16 to 36 weeks? It takes about two months on average, but with our seemingly 24/7 lives and the continual demands on our attention, maintaining a good habit might seem nearly impossible. In South Puget Sound, it's easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We've put together a list of five ways you can stay healthy this year.
1. Join a Yoga Class
Tuladhara Yoga has locations in Tacoma, Lakewood, and Gig Harbor, and provides classes for beginners as well as experienced yogis - and all in between! They offer fantastic programs and activities to help you develop and grow your yoga practice.
A yoga instructor can also guarantee that you're not practicing in a way that puts too much pressure on your joints, making you more prone to injury. Another advantage of taking a class is that you may learn the terminology for various forms and styles.
2. Join a Gym
Joining a gym is always a great idea! Not only will you feel an enhanced sense of community, but you'll also have an outlet for your daily stress. Group fitness is also an excellent way to stay accountable. F45 South Hill is a great local fitness workout, as is Orange Theory. Both feature heartrate monitors and user-friendly apps to help track your progress.
At Anytime Fitness Gig Harbor, the support is also real! You have access to a wide choice of equipment. Plus, their trainers don't have a one-size-fits-all strategy; instead, they create a customized training experience based on your abilities, physique, and goals.
3. Eat Healthily
Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, an attending endocrinologist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and an assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, recommends focusing on protein in the morning in addition to obtaining enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains throughout the day. Including protein in your breakfast will help regulate your appetite by keeping blood sugar and some "hunger hormones" consistent throughout the day. Examples include egg white omelets, Greek yogurt, and protein drinks.
There are a lot of healthy food joints that can cater to your choice of diet, but we'll start first with Viva! Viva has recently added a new set of dishes to their menu if you’re aiming for a vegan diet. For a Ketogenic or high-protein diet, Rosewood Cafe serves a healthy balanced diet of lean meats and vegetables!
4. Start Reading More Often
You may be wondering how a good book can dial down the scales? Well, there's no proof on that, but a daily read can help your mental health. Reading can provide an alternative to staring at your phone or watching a movie. Every day, try to read at least ten pages. Pierce County Library - whether you need a place to kill time or to study - is a great local resource for good books.
5. Sleep Well, Do Well
Dr. Daniel Barone, a neurologist and sleep medicine expert at the Center for Sleep Medicine at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and an associate professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine, says that while the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many people's sleep patterns — some have even suffered from "coronasomnia" — so it's critical to maintain a regular sleep schedule and get about eight hours of sleep per night.
How are you staying healthy this year? What are your best tips and tricks for accountability?
