What's your healthy?

Aetna recently asked me to write a bit about “What’s Your Healthy?” At first, I was like pssh, no problem. The typical stuff came to mind and while I could list out all of those things today, that would be a pretty boring post. Healthy is far more than just the typical stuff in my mind. So I’m going to break it down into two groups.

What’s Your Healthy? The Basics

1. Eat healthy most of the time

You didn’t think we’d escape this one, did you? This entire site is pretty much about healthy(ish) food, I kinda think it’s important. We’ve got one body in this short life, treat it well. As often as possible, I believe healthy is eating unprocessed, local, organic wholesome foods. Lots of vegetables, sustainable proteins and not nearly as much grains as our country seems to think acceptable. This doesn’t mean indulgences are off the table, it just means they should be the exception, not the rule.

2. Get enough sleep

This is crucial for me. I’m pretty much useless without at least 8 hours of sleep every night and preferably 9 or more. I think we underestimate how important sleep really is and far too many of us function on 5 or 6 hours a day.

3. Find a sport or exercise you love and do it!

CrossFit is almost always the highlight of my day. Even 150 pull-ups and blood pouring down my ripped hands doesn’t deter me. I.love.it. I feel euphoric after every wod. I used to feel this way about running. Sometimes I still do and on those days, I run. Yoga? I’ve tried countless times and just can’t get into it. Don’t force yourself to do something you don’t like, there are countless ways to move your body, find one you love and working out won’t be “work”.

What’s Your Healthy? The Others

1. Find time away from the phone/computer and relax social media-less

This has become harder and harder as more and more of my life seems to be tied to social media. Considering success at my job is somewhat tied to being present on social media, it’s really hard to walk away sometimes. Lately, I’m trying to leave the phone in the other room when we’re watching tv or having dinner or when I get into bed at night, I’m trying to pick up a book instead of scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram.

2. Real life friend get-togethers

(bonus points when it involves exercise!)

Real life relationships are important. It’s crazy how many people I only “know” online and spend “talking” to on a daily basis. But nothing replaces a good lunch with a friend or wine nights with your girlfriends. Working from home, this is definitely key to my “healthy” as I can sometimes go an entire day when Ulysses is working not having actually “talked” to anyone out loud until 5pm when I walk into the gym.

3. Finding “happy” in the now

This one is more of a “I need to do this for my health” rather than an “I do this already”. Life’s short, I want to do so.many.things. Travel to all the places, eat at all the best restaurants and I want it all now. Pinterest doesn’t help this as I see beautiful pins of far off lands while I sit behind my computer screen in boring somewhat-upstate, NY. Woohoo. But seriously, there is so much that I’ve already done and already have right now to be happy about that I need to stop “living for the next thing” as much. It’s not healthy to wish your life away.

Join the conversation at #AetnaMyHealthy

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of AETNA®. The opinions and text are all mine

well, hello monday… |

Monday 3rd of March 2014

[…] on healthy living. love this idea. might need to write a post about this. […]

Anne

Wednesday 26th of February 2014

Wow, I miss being that tan... and I miss seeing you in real life instead of just gchat life, too. :)

SallyBR

Tuesday 25th of February 2014

Fitness is a number one priority, and I cannot tell you how much P90X did for me. I am turning 54 in a couple of weeks and I am in excellent shape, my weight the same as it was 30 years ago, but a lot more muscle tone and stamina.

Pull ups, push ups, weight training, aerobics, yoga, the 90X system is by far the best, mixing everything in the right order and intensity. I am one month away from completing the P90X3, having done 90X and 90X2 for several years. You are right, you need to find something that you like and stick with it. I used to run long distance, but my single marathon hurt my left knee so badly I cannot do it anymore. I was frustrated and pretty miserable for a while, but that took me to 90X, as an alternative to running. Amazing how one negative experience can open a new door and turn into something positive

Of all things you mentioned, sleep is the only one I do have trouble with - but I've had sleeping problems since I was a child, so my approach now is to simply accept it as part of me, and don't let it bother me too much. Still, I envy people who can sleep 8 hours straight ...it must be awesome!

Erin

Sleep is #1 for me. In college, a lot of people don't seem to get the concept of going to sleep when it's dark out and being awake when it's light. I've had lab group members try to schedule meetings after midnight! Nope, sorry, I'll be asleep. I can't keep up the routine all the time or I would miss out on a lot of social events (10pm Friday seems to be the time for events to start) but I'm pretty strict about it during weekdays.

Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life)

The "finding happy in the now" might be my favorite on your list! It's the one principle I always try to live by. There is something in this moment that makes it unlike any other, so though it may be difficult, I try and focus on the good in my current situation and it always seems to work its magic.

Oh, and of course, I love the healthy food, too ;)

What’s your healthy?