Juggling a work-life balance can be tough, but juggling life changes, work-life balance and a healthy lifestyle? That’s even tougher! This applies more so to busy bees or those who live in the city—sometimes we just don’t have the time to care about the state of our bodies.

However, there are a couple of things you can do to stay healthy. You might not always have time to go to the gym or make a meal from scratch, but one small step is still a step forward. Take a look at our helpful lifestyle changes and see if you can apply them on a daily basis!

Have a Well-Balanced Diet

Many people think that being healthy and active means being in the gym all day when actually, most of it happens in the kitchen. You can’t truly be healthy if you’re not putting healthy foods into your body! The first few changes in your lifestyle starts in the kitchen.

When you’re constantly busy and on the go, it can be tempting to just eat what’s on hand. However, we implore you to be more mindful of your food intake. Make sure what you’re eating has unrefined carbohydrates, proteins, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and healthy fats, according to the NHS’s Eatwell Guide.

Get Five Fruits and Vegetables a Day

Expounding on the previous point, fruits and vegetables need to comprise most of your food intake for the day. That’s because they’re full of vitamins and minerals that are so good for your body. It can be hard to do this especially if you’re a picky eater, but did you know there are multiple ways of eating fruits and veggies that might be more palatable for you?

You could try eating a veggie version of your favorite foods, like cauliflower crust pizza or zucchini pasta. You can also add a sprinkle of fruit to your oatmeal or yogurt for some juicy texture. Lastly, if you’re truly picky, you can blend fruits and veggies into a smoothie or a soup with ingredients you like.

Plan Your Meals

The better you plan your meals, the less likely you end up ordering take-out or eating unhealthily. Make a grocery list so you don’t buy anything unnecessary. Whip up a whole batch of meals so you’re all set for the week and don’t need to come up with something to eat.

Enjoy Your Food

So, you have a perfectly well-balanced, freshly-cooked meal in front of you. All that’s left now is to eat it, right?

Wrong! It’s not enough that you eat it. You must also enjoy and savor it. Turn your laptop or TV off and put the phone down and just enjoy the simple act of eating. With fewer distractions around, your brain and stomach can focus on digesting your food and absorbing all of that yummy goodness.

Cook Your Own Recipes

Making a meal from scratch is time-consuming but well worth it. That’s because you’re in full control—you can choose not to add in as much salt, sugar, or oils as you’d like. You can also edit recipes and add in fruits and veggies to make them extra healthy.

Try and set aside some time every day to make a home-cooked meal for yourself. Otherwise, you can cook a whole batch on the weekends and just reheat as necessary.

Eat Healthy Snacks

Stay away from chips, cookies, sodas, and candy! While they may be tasty, they’re not going to do anything worthwhile for your body. Too many of these can also lead to diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Instead, go for something weightier. Eat raw veggies instead of potato chips. Have a whole grain granola bar instead of a cookie. Munch on dried fruits instead of candy.

Reduce Alcohol Intake

Look, we get it—sometimes, you just need a nice glass of wine or a can of beer to wind you down after a long day. However, don’t make it a habit. Alcohol is essentially empty calories—you’re gaining all the weight without any of the nutritional benefits, as well as putting strain on your liver!

Avoid Crash Diets

People want to see bodily changes easily and quickly, and they’d do all sorts of trendy diets to get there. Some cut carbs cold turkey, some eat less than 1000 calories, and some suddenly go on a smoothie binge… it’s not healthy or sustainable. It will work in the short-term, but unless you’ve got wills of steel, you’re eventually going to get tired and revert to your old ways. Not only that, but you’re also going to mess up your metabolism and possibly end up heavier than before!

Instead of focusing on your looks, focus on how you feel. If you eat healthy because it makes you feel good, you’re going to be happier and healthier in the long run.

Drink Water Regularly

Just like how a car runs on gasoline, your body runs on water. You need a solid 6-8 glasses every day—otherwise, you’re going to face a whole bunch of problems such as skin breakouts, constipation, indigestion, and more.

We recommend setting an hourly alarm telling you to take a few sips of water.

Get a Good Night’s Rest

Sleep is another one of the most important lifestyle changes. It lets your body rest, recharge, and recuperate. Without sleep, your body will go haywire and your hormones will be out of control, leaving you prone to diseases and injury. So, it’s best to get at least 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep a day.

Stay Active

Exercising doesn’t always have to be in the gym. As long as you get the heartbeat up, it’s considered exercising. All that matters is that you aren’t sedentary.

Run or play with your dog at the park. Take a walk to work instead of driving. Spend some quality time with your kids by playing outside with them. All of these fun activities can contribute to better well-being.