Guest post by Suhana Williams
Did you know that your lifestyle choices have a huge impact on your friends and family? Researchers call this a classic example of the Ripple Effect. When a person makes a healthy change, it affects the people they live with.It is all about the small positive changes that ultimately lead to a healthier lifestyle and increased peace of mind.
Have you heard of the Butterfly Effect metaphor? It says that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil can cause a tornado in Texas. Similarly, small actions or choices can bring a huge change to your surroundings. Let’s have a look at how your lifestyle choices can impact the people around you.
Practice portion control
We all have cravings for sweets and unprocessed foods at some point or the other. I don’t ban entire food groups. Instead, I practice portion control. This lets me eat large portions of healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits. Alternatively, I eat smaller portions of unhealthy foods, such as fried delicacies and sweets.
When you practice portion control, your colleagues or friends would understand that a healthy lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean bidding adieu to delectable foods. It means maintaining a subtle balance between right and wrong choices. One of my colleagues remarked ‘Oh, so I can follow a healthy diet and still have cheesy burgers when I am eating out?’The next thing I know, she took my dietitian’s number and fixed an appointment for herself.
A recent assignment on women and obesity reports that more than 2 in 3 women in the United States are overweight. Change your lifestyle choices and influence your friends to make similar choices.
Go easy on junk foods
Are you are a fitness freak like me? Then you will know how complicated nutritional science is. Most of us are well-versed with the basics at least such as eating plenty of plant foods and less of junk foods. Whenever you are eating out with your friends or family, make sure they understand that you enjoy your meal, no matter what.The look of happiness/content on your face will encourage them to follow a healthy diet too.
My husband, for example, wasn’t really a lover of healthy food. He was more into junk and spicy food. However, as I started eating only healthy foods, he too developed an interest in my diet. One day he tried oatmeal for breakfast instead of hamburgers and French fries. Later he gave the zingy salmon and brown rice salad a try for lunch, and eventually, he followed a healthy diet for a month. After seeing a considerable reduction in his weight, he decided to stick to my diet plan.
Nearly 37% of Americans eat fast food regularly. Let me tell you that junk food kills more than wars. There’s no need to go around telling everyone that they are doing anything wrong. Just avoid junk foods for yourself. You never know how many people may get influenced by your lifestyle choices. (Butterfly Effect, remember?)
Lead an active life
I don’t go to the gym and get all excited about hardcore exercises. Instead, I just find time for a scheduled exercise routine to be active. You must at least find a way for 20-30 minutes of physical activity each day. That could include riding a bike or a briskly walk to work.
You can ask your colleagues to walk to work with you, for instance. You can even try asking your friends to accompany you for your exercise routine. There are several ways to influence your loved ones to lead a healthy lifestyle. Walking and minimum exercises can do wonders to your body if practiced daily. Once your loved ones feel the benefits of exercises, they will start doing at least a few of those.
From kids to adults, exercise is mandatory for all. Who would love to move around in a wheelchair when people around you can run, walk and jump freely? I have always been labelled as the laziest person in my family. If I can do it, everyone can. Come on, grab your skipping ropes now!
Say “No” to sugar
Too much of sugar will produce bitter health results. I would suggest everyone cut back on sugar as much as possible. You can try eliminating common sources of sugar consumption, such as adding sugar to breakfast cereals or adding table sugar to foods. When I invite friends over to my place, I offer them cold iced tea instead of sugared soft drinks. There are ten other such healthy alternatives to sugared soft drinks that you can encourage others to try.
Sugary drinks are typically useless. Do not frown yet. I can explain it. These drinks not only make you feel full but are strongly linked to weight gain. It consists of 90% water. I don’t see the point of consuming soda only because of the fizz. You can try out freshly squeezed lemon water when you are too tired. Make your friends or kids Kombucha, which is a recent health trend.
A lot of my friends prefer having mango juice or lemon water with a splash of honey because they saw me having the same. It doesn’t taste bad at all. They thought ‘why not?’ See, that’s the power of your lifestyle choices. It isn’t only about you. It is also about the people who look up to you and trust you. You don’t have to lecture anyone about healthy diets. Just do your thing and let your choices speak for you.
Find a job that you love
According to Ohio State University research, work life in your 20s can affect your mental health. The right job can help you build a positive outlook towards life, whereas the wrong one can lead to depression, stress and sleep problems.
It’s common sense, right? You can’t do a job and be happy about it if you are not passionate about it. What if David Gilmour got stuck in the job of an accountant? Pink Floyd would have never existed to make our lives awesome. Your passion will keep you motivated, help you find meaning in life and increase your expectations from the future. It will keep you more engaged in life and motivate you to develop healthier behaviors.
Only 10% of employees are reported to be satisfied with their jobs. You may not be able to help everyone out there. But, you can definitely help your immediate friends and family members. Motivate them to follow their passion and encourage them to choose the job they would love to do in the future. A healthy mind is crucial for a healthy body. Always remember that.
Wrapping it up
When we truly love someone, we want them to be happy and fit. These days, people are struggling with the decreasing quality of health. It is very hard to see your loved ones suffer physically and emotionally. You can prevent such a scenario by maintaining a healthy lifestyle of your own. Motivate your friends and family without being pushy. Make the right choice and let others take cue.
Author Bio:
Suhana is a passionate blogger and digital marketing enthusiast. Suhana Williams is one of the most talented assignment experts who also provide assignment help through Assignmenthelp.us. She enjoys the ever-evolving world of digital marketing and loves to share her opinion on every possible update with her audience. When not creating magic with her words, you can find her sky-diving or trekking in the most bizarre locations.