This is health advice that can really make a difference.
Many of us don’t love receiving advice from others, but when it comes to our health, hearing real wisdom from people we respect can be a game changer. Whether it’s a simple habit that makes life easier or a tip that completely shifts the way we care about for our bodies, the best advice often comes from those who’ve been there.
Studio 5 Health Contributor Miki Eberhardt has been crowdsourcing impactful health advice from a lot of women, and she shared some standout advice she said can truly make a difference in our lives.
The Importance of Sleep
One of the most common pieces of advice is to prioritize sleep. “A good night’s sleep can change everything,” Miki emphasized.
Sleep impacts both physical and mental health. “I think sleep in general is always where the Venn diagram crosses over… It can help all kinds of our health,” Miki said.
One woman shared, “my mom always said a good night’s sleep and a peanut butter sandwich can solve most problems.” If you’re hungry or tired, start there.
Fitness Over Thinness
Another important piece of advice is to focus on fitness rather than thinness. Miki shared a powerful moment from a friend who attended a women’s health class where the instructor said: “Ladies, we believe in fitness, not thinness.”
Find enjoyable physical activities that can be sustained long-term, rather than striving for a smaller body size. “ Find activity, have it be part of your life, and have it be fun and not have it be that I have to create a smaller self,” Miki emphasized. Keeping the fun in physical activities can help you maintain an active lifestyle.
Making Time for Family Dinners
Family dinners are important for both relational and nutritional benefits. One person shared a tip that is a really simple way to make sure the family sits down to dinner together. “ What they do is, they literally empty the dishwasher in the morning and they take those dishes and just go set the table with them,” Miki explained. This routine makes sure that family dinners happen regularly, building better relationships and healthier eating habits.
When kids get busy, this habit can be hard to maintain. “ A few times is better than no times,” Miki emphasized.
The Benefits of Vitamin D and Nature
Getting more vitamin D by spending time outdoors is another good piece of advice. “We know from a science standpoint it can calm anxiety, it can lower blood pressure, it can lower those stress hormones,” Miki explained.
Additionally, after spending all winter indoors, we want to increase our vitamin D. “ We’re missing out on the benefit of vitamin D and all that helps our heart, our bone health, and our nerve health,” Miki emphasized. “So combine the two. Get outside, lower your anxiety, and get the vitamin D.”
Healthy Snacking Habits
Creating an afternoon produce snack board is a simple way to encourage healthier eating. “ We all know we should eat more fruits and vegetables, but how can we do that?” Miki said. By putting out freshly washed produce when everyone is hungry, it’s easier to eat more fruits and veggies.
Just Do It
Sometimes, the best advice is to “just do it.” Whether it’s scheduling a workout, prepping food, or making a doctor’s appointment, sometimes you just have to take action without waiting for motivation. This proactive approach helps you make sure that important tasks are completed. “ If you sit around and think, ‘someone will motivate me to do that at some point…’ sometimes we just do it,” Miki said.
Listening to Your Body
Learning to rest and listen to your body is important. “ If you’re in that cycle of, go, go, go, go, go… then you get sick and crash,” Miki explained. “There’s probably other signs along the way that are little warning flags that you maybe just need to rest.”
Taking time to rest when needed helps maintain long-term health and prevents the cycle of constant exhaustion. “ When our body tells us to rest, that’s when we need to rest,” Miki emphasized.
Do Something That Makes You Feel Like You
Doing something every day that makes you feel like yourself is important. A friend of Miki’s noted, “My friend told me when my babies were young to do something every day that made me feel like me.” Whether it’s soaking in the tub or listening to your favorite music, these small acts of self-care can prevent burnout and help maintain a sense of identity.
Consistency Over Perfection
Finally, embracing the idea that “consistency is better than perfect” can lead to sustainable health habits. Doing things well enough consistently is more effective than striving for perfection sporadically. This mindset helps maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Find more advice from Miki on Instagram, @nutritionbymiki.
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