13 Ways to Fit Healthy Habits Into Your Hectic Life

There just aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything you need to do, and it can feel like an added stressor when you are trying to integrate healthy habits into that already hectic schedule. But if you make time for healthy habits, you’ll find yourself with extra reserves of energy that will lower your stress and help you get through life’s challenges.

Start small with just one new healthy habit a week. From there, you can add on one or two more every week or every other week. Building on small healthy habits will not only allow you to ease into this new lifestyle without feeling overwhelmed, but it will also give you an opportunity to truly feel how self-care and overall health impact your whole life and outlook. If you're ready for a new way of living, these 13 tips are a great place to start.

1. Drink water throughout the day. You don’t hear this nearly enough, but water is an all-purpose wonder-substance. It’s great for your skin, your digestive system and circulatory system, and aids in weight loss and cellulite reduction. If you feel fatigued during the day, it’s often because you aren’t properly hydrated. Drink water throughout the day, sipping from a large bottle or glass. If you have it nearby, it’s easy to remember. If you don’t like the "taste" of water, keep a supply of lemon so that you can add a slice to your water. This simple addition cuts any bitterness, adds a bit of vitamin C and makes it taste more like a treat!

2. Cut back on the amount of soda and coffee you drink. Sugar and caffeine dehydrate you and create energy rushes followed by crashes, which are ultimately energy-depleting. Substitute with drinks like green tea or 100 percent fruit juice.

3. Replace high-sugar foods with low-sugar versions. Cutting back on the amount of refined sugar you consume helps reduce calories and weight gain, and also helps you avoid the energy slumps that come from sugar withdrawal. Items high in refined sugar include most soft drinks, cereals, baked goods and, of course, candy and ice cream. Look for low-sugar or no-sugar versions of these, or simply opt for healthy snacks instead. Be careful to read labels, though, as many low-sugar options add in other troublesome ingredients or use sugar that goes by a different name.

4. Stock up on healthy, portable snacks. When you are grocery shopping, pick up bags of baby carrots, string cheese, nuts, fresh and dried fruit, single-serving packs of applesauce, yogurt, whole-grain crackers, peanut butter, turkey jerky, et cetera. Having healthy portable snacks around will help you avoid bad vending-machine, convenience store and fast-food options.

5. Take the time to plan healthy meals for the week. Spend 15 minutes or so once a week mapping out your meals. Keep it simple. Then, when you shop for groceries, make your purchases based on the meals you will make during the week. This will help you avoid relying on less healthy take-out or fast food choices.

6. Purchase frozen, ready-to-cook ingredients. Frozen fruits and vegetables have high vitamin and mineral content because they don’t sit around losing these nutrients for long before they are preserved. Although you’ll want to keep plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables around, it’s great to have frozen produce available for quick meal additions and smaller servings. Also, some grocery stores offer frozen boneless chicken breasts and a wide variety of seafood items in re-sealable packages. These are great for quick, healthy meals.

7. Pack your lunch the night before. You'll have given yourself the gift of extra time in the morning while assuring that you have a healthy meal during the day. Don’t forget to pack snack items so you can avoid the vending machine if you're someone who regularly craves food in the afternoons or late morning hours.<pagebreak>

8. Cook double batches of meals. When you prepare dinner, especially on weekends, cook extra and freeze to use for another dinner or lunch. Then, you'll have a healthy meal ready to go when you are.

9. Give yourself some slack. If you are stressed out about preparing healthy meals every day, use what some experts call the "80/20" rule in your eating. If 80 percent of what you eat is healthy, then allow yourself to take it a little easier for the remaining 20 percent. You and your diet will survive.

10. Fit in exercise whenever you can. Experts recommend that adults exercise a minimum of 30 minutes three times per week. Aim for this amount, but don’t kick yourself if you can’t meet this goal. Any amount of exercise is better than none. No time to go to a gym? Build up a stock of workout videos online or printed programs – many have routines that you can complete in 20 to 40 minutes. Use hand weights or do crunches, leg lifts and lunges while watching television. Or invest in an exercise bike--you can pedal while catching up on your reading. Think of what would be most interesting to you and what best fits your schedule and budget.

11. Take a walk break during the day. Even 20 minutes can make a difference in your energy level, plus it gives you time to clear your head. If you walk with a friend or colleague, it also gives you time to socialize.

12. Whenever possible, walk. Increase the amount of time you can walk, versus sit or drive. It doesn’t take that much extra time to park a bit farther from the store entrance, or to make a personal visit to a colleague rather than phoning, messaging or e-mailing.

13. Get enough sleep. Even if you gain more time in your day by cutting back on sleep, you will be less effective throughout the day, as your energy level and cognitive functioning will be reduced. Insufficient sleep also makes you more susceptible to illness. By getting enough sleep, you become more efficient during the time you are awake.

Begin integrating some or all of these habits today. Make them part of your normal routine. You’ll be surprised at how little time is involved and how much better you’ll feel!