The fall is officially here, and as the days get shorter and the TV lineup gets stronger, many of us will find ourselves “couch potato-ing” more than we’d like to. In the spirit of keeping us all on a healthy track, I thought I’d give you more mental ammunition to stay in action.
Here are the top 5 reasons why being a couch potato makes anyone more tired over the long run (and why you should stay as active as you can despite the pull of the couch!):
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My first summer job was in a restaurant. Working in the public will teach you a lot about how different people think and act! One of the most memorable “lessons” I learned that summer came from a man whose family had thrown a surprise 25th wedding anniversary for him and his wife.
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“How can I stop snacking in the afternoon?” That’s a question I get asked quite often. If you feel tired, a little sugar or caffeine may seem like an easy way to get that extra oomph you need. But let’s put it this way: with over 2/3 of the adult population being sleep deprived in the US (and if you are in Australia, Canada, France or England, my bet is that your stats are very similar), and with ever-increasing obesity rates everywhere, most of us would benefit more from fitting in a few extra Zzzzs per 24-hour cycle than we would eating a few extra calories.
Napping will not only help boost your energy, but it will also slow down your production of cortisol, the stress hormone that drives you to want more high-sugar, high-fat foods. So what may seem like an over-the-top indulgence may actually keep you away from needless decadence! Ready to give it a try? Here are some basic rules to get the most out of a nap.
Read moreIf you know me, you know that my thing is connecting sleep, food, mood and exercise. I love to discuss how these four groups of habits are connected and make each other easier. But improving one habit is already a challenge, never mind improving habits in 4 categories! Agreed, doing so can sound daunting and effortful (if you don’t know my full process, that is ;0), so today I’d like to share ways that will improve your health and simultaneously save your energy.
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Do you pay yourself first? After a long stretch of work-work-work, my husband and I decided to pay ourselves first in terms of time; not just money. What’s the value of life, if we skimp on everything that makes it worthwhile?
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Marie-Josée Shaar received her undergrad at McGill University in Organizational Behavior, followed by a Master of Applied Positive Psychology at University of Pennsylvania. She's certified as a Wellness Culture Coach, a Personal Trainer, and a Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. She has spent the last 13 years studying, testing, coaching and teaching smart health habits, both nationally and internationally.
