How To Become A Better You
Whether you need a refresher of your New Years' Resolutions (8 months ago!) or you’re looking to make a change in your life, here are some ways to become a better you. A better you is subjective since it looks different for everyone. For one person, it could be changing to a plant-based diet. For another, it could be dedicating more time to exercising.
Why Should You Better Yourself
Bettering yourself is not an easy task, but the work pays off. When you improve yourself, you’re getting closer to achieving your goals. For example, when you improve your health, you look and feel better and you’ll be able to accomplish more physically. If you better yourself at work, then you can improve your work, find more meaning in your work, and get promoted.
The last benefit to bettering yourself is knowing you can adapt. The world is forever changing and knowing that you can change with it is comforting for you. This skill lets you feel confident in your future and less afraid of the unknown. At VitaminBar, we believe a better you begins today.
Move More
The CDC recommends adults have 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Depending on the person, this could look like 30 minutes a day for 5 days. For a more intense workout, it could be 50 minutes of exercise for 3 days.
The current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans offers specifications. Some of the recommendations for optimum health for adults are:
- Move more and sit less throughout the day
- 150 minutes to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity
- 75 minutes to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity
- Muscle-strengthening activities 2 or more days a week
In addition to the numerous health benefits of regularly exercising, working out is a stress reliever. And chronic stress damages the body and your health. Read our last blog for some ideas of outdoor hobbies.
Eat Better
Not only should you be improving your exterior, but also your interior, and what you eat will determine that. Eating better will improve how you feel and look. And again, going back to the introduction, what that looks like is subjective. For one person, it can be eliminating junk food. For another it can be following a specific diet. Read our blog here for help on eating better.
According to Harvard Health, here are tips on how to make healthier choices choices:
- Avoid fat that stays solid at room temperature. Instead, consume olive oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil.
- Snack on more nuts and seeds (almonds, cashews, filberts, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, and pistachios) to obtain all the essential nutrients.
- Taste food before salting it. Sodium is in a lot of prepackaged foods so we can easily over consume it. Plus, the break can reset your taste buds.
- Bring lunch to work. Eating lunch you brought from home makes sticking to a healthy diet and eating within reasonable portion sizes. Lastly, it saves you money from eating out!
- Eat five or more vegetables and fruits a day. Not only are they low calorie foods, but they provide you with the nutrients your body needs.
- Plan delicious and healthy meals. Take the time to create, cook, and relish a delicious and healthy meal you cook at home. For people who live with roommates, friends, or family, it can be fun to plan a night of cooking with them.
To eat better, you need to know what you’re eating, it’s why we pride ourselves on offering our nutrient enhanced protein bar. You’ll level up your body with the natural protein, carbs, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals in one bar. Shop all our flavorful bars here.
Challenge Yourself
Maybe you’re already challenging yourself with a new workout routine or diet change. But if you’re seeking a mental challenge too, try learning a new skill, activity, or hobby. This is a chance step outside of your comfort zone, and sometimes, doing something you’ve always wanted to do.
Learning new skills literally changes your brain chemistry. When you learn a new skill, you become better at learning and improving your learning speed. You’re also able to make more connections between skill areas. New knowledge builds on old knowledge, which again is why learning something new improves your brain.
Lastly, learning new skills or knowledge will keep you from being bored. Boredom is the reason people end up binge watching on the couch or excessively snacking. Plus, when you’re not bored, you’re doing something interesting! You become an interesting person who can share their experiences and knowledge with friends and family.
Change Your Mindset
If you don’t know already, gratitude changes your mind and how you look at life. Research has found that people who incorporate gratitude into their life daily experience less stress, improve sleep, and create more positive relationships.
A mental performance coach put together an acronym to help you find things to be grateful for:
Growth - personal, career, health, etc. growth
Inspiration - moments or items that inspired you
Friends/Family - People in your life who add to your life
Tranquility - moments of tranquility
Surprise - an unexpected favor or gift
Gratitude can be as simple as saying thank you after every interaction or taking a moment of your day to reflect on the wonderful things that have happened. To be consistent, you can brainstorm 3-5 things you’re grateful for at the end of each day.
At VitaminBar, we’re grateful our products make us feel as good as they taste. And we’re grateful for a community like you who supports us!