#HealthyLifestyle – Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree

Perhaps you’ve tried to make new year’s resolutions in the past, but for some reason, you’ve never been able to stick to them. In 2023, you can finally fulfill your resolutions by setting gradual, realistic goals. For example, if you’d like to read more books, you can commit to reading ten pages each day and create a reading list by checking out Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree! Here are a few other habits you could adopt this year, from keeping a cleaner home to waking up earlier.

Keep Your Home Clean

It’s hard to feel your best in a cluttered, messy home. If it’s been a while since you decluttered and deep cleaned your home, the new year gives you the perfect opportunity! You’ll want to start by donating or throwing out any items you no longer need. Next, block off a weekend to thoroughly deep clean each room. Finally, spruce up your space by getting some houseplants and keeping your blinds open to let in more natural light.

Read Daily

Maybe it’s been a while since you read a book, but you miss the feeling of getting lost in a great story. Reading brings lots of benefits – for example, Everyday Health states that reading can lower your stress levels, deepens your empathy for others, and even boosts your cognitive function.

You don’t have to force yourself to read through a stack of classic novels to get back into reading. Instead, choose a couple of books you think you might enjoy, and block off time to read a reasonable number of pages each day. You could choose to read with your morning coffee or before you go to bed.

Exercise Regularly

Lots of people make fitness-related resolutions each year. But if you try to rapidly shift from a sedentary lifestyle to working out every day, you’re likely to give up early or even injure yourself by exercising too intensely right off the bat. Try adding two to three workout sessions per week to your schedule, and consider connecting with a personal trainer who can help you design an exercise routine around your abilities and goals.

Wake Up Earlier

Do you have a tendency to sleep in? Maybe you’d like to start waking up earlier this year so that you’ll have plenty of time for a morning routine before your workday begins. Even if you’ve always considered yourself a night owl, you can slowly shift your usual wake-up time. Sleep Advisor recommends ensuring that you’re going to bed early enough to get between seven and nine hours of sleep, ditching alcohol and caffeine in the late afternoon and evening, placing your alarm clock far away from your bed, and tucking your phone in a drawer before bedtime so that you don’t end up scrolling late at night.

Drink More Water

Many people don’t even realize that they are chronically dehydrated. If you suspect that you’re not as hydrated as you should be, you could make a resolution to drink more water this year. To accomplish this, try getting a large reusable water bottle that you can refill throughout the day and putting a glass of water by your bedside before you go to sleep so that you can focus on hydration as soon as you wake up.

When it comes to new year’s resolutions, you don’t want to bite off more than you can chew. Instead of setting huge, ambitious goals, you can pick up some simple habits that can significantly improve your quality of life. Whether you want to read more books, cultivate a cleaner home, or start exercising, these tips have got you covered!

Looking for your next favorite book? Turn to Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree! Browse the blog today to find exciting new reads.

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Guest Post by Jason Kenner
Jason Kenner, On-Par Parent

There is much more to saving money than financial planning. Taking on a healthier lifestyle will not only make you feel better but also lower your expenses in the long run. If you are concerned about living a healthier lifestyle but don’t want to break the bank on a gym membership and expensive organic foods, consider these simple tips.

Get Creative With Your Workout

You don’t need a gym to get in a good workout. Save money and work out at home. If you don’t have the equipment, don’t worry. Workouts using your bodyweight require nothing more than your body to create resistance and build muscle. Implement cardio by going for a walk outside or simply doing chores around the house. If you’re not sure where to begin, take advantage of employee wellness programs. Many employers offer free health classes, such as yoga. You can even download free health apps on your smartphone.

Change the Way You Access Food

It is easy to associate healthy food with a higher grocery budget. One study shows that healthier food is almost three times more expensive than less nutrient-rich foods. However, you can fuel your body with healthy foods in a more affordable way. Buy your healthy nonperishables in bulk. This is great for canned foods and snacks that you keep in the pantry. Cut back on meat and supplement legumes for protein. Only buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. If you have space for a garden, grow your own produce and save big money.

Go Green

Going green might sound expensive, but there are simple changes you can make that will decrease your utility bills and better your way of living. For example, clean your home using chemical-free DIY cleaners with things you have around the house, such as lemon juice and vinegar. Shop at your local farmer’s market and avoid driving when you can. Buy a bicycle or walk when your destination is nearby.

Turn Your New Life Into a Business

As you create your new lifestyle, consider the ways that you can turn your healthy hobbies into a business venture. If you’ve gotten into biking, you might open a bike repair shop, or if outdoor sports are your main form of exercise, consider starting a sports gear store. Maybe others will love your DIY cleaning products. You could start selling them with little cost. Use a label maker to create bottle labels for every product. Speed up the label-making process by using free online tools and templates to customize a logo for your brand.

Before your business takes off, consider making it official by forming an LLC. It will protect you from potential liability lawsuits and allow you more tax advantages and flexibility. LLCs also require very little paperwork. You can register online in under an hour. Be sure to check Florida LLC requirements before you get started.

Being Healthy Actually Saves Money

In the long run, you’ll notice that creating a healthier lifestyle will actually save money on expenses like health insurance premiums. Biking saves on gas money and vehicle repair costs. Cooking from home allows you some quiet time to enjoy a meal with a good book and avoid the cost and noise associated with eating out.

Personalizing your wellness plan often turns into finding things that you enjoy and expanding on them in your life. If it becomes a business opportunity, then you live better and make money. Living a healthy lifestyle is so much more than tedious exercise and expensive grocery bills.