It’s a new year and that means it’s a good time to form, renew, and update some healthy habits in your life. Here’s our list of 6 healthy habits for 2016. They are simple, effective, and most importantly, sustainable.
1. Use those legs
This fitness plan is easy, if you’re able. It’s free, no membership is required, and it doesn’t require any fancy equipment. It’s called walking. Try to incorporate more of it into your daily routine. Even if it’s raining. Walk to work, walk to the store, walk to the bar. Forget the elevator and escalator. Take the stairs instead.
2. Eat more veggies
Give vegetables a starring role during mealtimes instead of them just being a mere side dish. Meat can still have a spot on your plate if you wish, but in more of a supporting role capacity. Even now, during the winter months, plenty of delicious vegetables are still available at the farmers market including carrots, beets, squash, cabbages, sweet potatoes, beans, and everyone’s favourite – kale.
3. Show your smile
Vancouver is known to be rather frosty. And we are not talking about the weather. Let’s change this reputation and make our city a friendlier place for our visitors and our neighbours alike. Next time you go for a walk (see #1), look up, make eye contact, and offer a brief smile to a stranger whilst walking by. Acknowledge your fellow human being.
4. Be prepared
Some of the world’s largest earthquakes have occurred in British Columbia. Research shows that there is a 1 in 4 chance that we will have another major earthquake within the next 50 years. Take a first aid course, pack an emergency kit for the house and for the car, and discuss an evacuation and meeting point plan with your family, friends, roommates, and co-workers.
5. Buy less
Lacking space in your closets? Using that spare bedroom as a storage unit? Unsubscribe from all those email newsletters luring you to shop online for things that you really don’t need. Share, donate, sell, upcycle, recycle. Be a minimalist.
6. Stop and smell the roses
Take a moment out of your busy day to feel gratitude for what you have. Be it family, friends, a job, a home, good health, or that hot cup of coffee in your hands. Be thankful. And enjoy the view of our gorgeous, snow-dusted mountain tops during these brilliant blue-sky days.
Last modified: January 4, 2017
