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Healthy living is a topic that never gets old in the Calgary real estate industry. At the end of the year, when the idea comes up, someone is always bound to start along the lines of “I will start exercising/eating healthy/sleeping early next year.” The intentions are there, but somewhere along the way, we all get sidetracked at one point or another.

I know that drastic lifestyle changes can be difficult to do, but from experience, I’ve found that they become second nature by doing them repeatedly. Let me share with you three things that I try to do every day.

Get enough snooze time

Sleep is as important as eating right and exercising. Without sleep, your body cannot repair and restore itself, which reduces your immunity and makes you prone to illness.

Now, this one involves our bedtime habits so if you are the type to keep the television, laptop, phone, or tablet on before hitting the sack, you may want to reconsider your pre-sleep habits. Recent findings show that our gadgets’ displays are mimicking daylight and are, in turn, fooling the brain into thinking that we should be up and about instead of sleeping. Essentially, using a backlit device for over an hour will, likely, lead to sleep loss.

For the restless types among you, a Calgary real estate colleague of mine swears by this tip: sprinkle your bedding with lavender water. Lavender is a well-known antidote to sleeplessness. Of course, your mileage will vary with this tip and I have to admit I haven’t tried the idea myself, but if you have some extra lavender water lying around, have a little fun and experiment!

Having some fruits every day

The “apple a day” adage has been around for quite a while now and the funny thing is, it is something that is often overlooked. Before I run out the door to make some inquiries relating to the Calgary real estate market, I try to eat some fruits in the morning. If I don’t have time, I make a smoothie. This way, I’m able to get a fruit into my day.

Speaking of smoothies, I’ve picked up quite a few recipes and one of them is a personal favorite: strawberry-banana smoothies. This one is straightforward and easy to make. Simply combine 2 cups of frozen strawberries, 2 medium bananas, 1½ cups of almond milk, 1 cup of orange juice, and a tablespoon or two of honey in a blender and mix it until smooth. This recipe makes 4 servings, so you have enough for the whole family to share. And because it uses almond milk, it’s perfect for anyone who’s lactose intolerant.

Get moving

Everyone complains that they don’t have time to exercise and go to the gym. That said, your fitness program isn’t limited to the gym. If you’re mindful of your everyday activities, you’ll find that there are so many ways to sneak in exercise into your busy schedule.

One form of exercise that I do a lot is walking. I try to do this when I’m reviewing houses for sale in Calgary. It’s easy, really. What I do is park a little farther away from my destination so I have an excuse to walk. Three brisk 10-minute walks every day can help decrease your chances of getting heart disease, so get walking and keep your heart healthy.

Another way to exercise is by taking the stairs. When I’m making calls or visiting colleagues in the Calgary real estate industry, I try to avoid taking the elevator, especially when it’s just one or two flights of stairs. Not only do I save on energy, it also helps me get some exercise into my routine.

There are many other ways you can do to stay healthy next year. All it takes is some determination and a bit of mindfulness.

Whatever you opt to do, I wish you all the best of luck in your pursuit of great health in 2013!

 

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Bryon Howard is a top-producing real estate agent with Re-Max House of Real Estate in Calgary, Alberta. He is in love with his high school sweetheart, an enthusiastic Dad & crazy about endurance sports. To learn more about Bryon and his real estate tips, head on over to his website.