Healthy Habits for 2021

Instead of grand resolutions you know you’ll end up dropping in a matter of weeks, commit to these healthy habits in the new year.

THE STORY: Most, if not all of us, will be happy to see 2020 gone. It was a year of chaos and illness that resulted in many of us picking up healthier habits. In fact, a study by Optiva found that 63% of Americans had adopted new healthy practices since March. But how many will continue into the new year? Whether you’ve been adopting a healthier lifestyle this year or are aiming to start one in the new year, here are a few habits you should consider.

HEALTHY HABITS FOR THE NEW YEAR:

1. Make small changes. New years often start with grand resolutions - “I’ll lose 25 pounds” or “I’ll go to the gym every day”. Large changes to lifestyle are often unsustainable. Instead, commit to making small changes to your life. Add one vegetable a day to your diet. Take 5 minutes to go for a walk, then add more minutes each day or week. Take 5 minutes before bed to banish stress by meditating or journaling. Drink a glass of water immediately upon waking. Adding things in slowly will build to large (and sustainable) changes!
2. Go to bed! How much (and the quality of) sleep you get each night affects every aspect of your life. Too little sleep and you’re likely to reach for sugar and caffeine during the day to stay awake which can be bad for your health. The quality of your sleep even affects your immune system! If you’re having trouble sleeping, there are several things you can do to get back to your regular schedule. Believe us, you’ll feel a huge difference and other aspects of life will fall into place.
3. Take care of yourself. This past year has seen people taking care of others more often than before. In everything going on, however, you shouldn’t forget to practice self-care. Take time to get away from stress every day - even if only for 5 minutes. It will help you be more resilient and able to face challenges head-on. Not sure what to do? Here are 275 ideas to get you started.
4. Learn to unplug. Let’s face it, we relied on technology more than ever in 2020. Being stuck at home left us binge-watching shows we’d never even considered before and staying online in an effort to stay connected, which also means we were more sedentary than usual. Make an effort each day to step away from electronics. Put the phone down, turn off the TV, take a break from work, and take the opportunity to move.
5. Eat well. 2020 taught us the joys of homecooked meals and eating at home. Still, with the new coronavirus vaccines rolling out, life will slowly be returning to normal (or a new normal) which means we’ll become busier as time goes on. Don’t let a busy life get in the way of healthy eating habits you picked up in 2020. If you’re faced with a lack of time, consider a meal delivery service like Top Chef Meals that will deliver chef-made, ready to cook meals designed to fit your specific dietary needs. There’s no excuse in 2021 to return to unhealthy eating patterns!

THE ROUND-UP: 2020 will be done and finished in a matter of days and 2021 is starting with rays of hope, such as the coronavirus vaccine. Stay hopeful and healthy in the new year by adopting (or keeping up) habits designed to make you feel your best.

From all of us at Top Chef Meals - Happy New Year!