Matt and Carol’s healthy ways to relax on those oh so short weekends
1. Get outdoors. There is no shortage of things to do outdoors in Houston. A walk or run around Rice University or Memorial Park is always a great idea. Or how about a yoga or dance class at Discovery Green? If you have a bike, or like to hike, check out some of the great trails in Houston.
2. Shop and cook for next week. If I had to cook every time I needed to eat, I would probably either never eat or perpetually be at the fast food counter. The pace of our lives keeps us from eating as well as we could otherwise. Think about shopping for the week when you have time on the weekend, then cooking up that healthy food and storing it in portion controlled containers. We typically grill chicken and cook up some brown rice or sweet potatoes, and some veggies – green beans, asparagus, or squash. Grilled chicken salad (pictured) is pretty much what our dinner looks like every night. I even buy cottage cheese and fruit, then measure ½ cup of each into separate containers so I am ready to grab and go during the week.
3. Take a nap. Fatigue in our culture is rampant, and is robbing us of our health. If you are one of those folks (like us) who don’t seem to get enough shut eye during the week, studies show that napping can help. In a recent study, 23,000 adults were followed for 6 years and measured their diet, exercise, and whether or not they napped. Those that occasionally took naps decreased the risk for coronary artery disease by 12%. Those that napped regularly decreased their risk by a whopping 37%. Don’t feel guilty, or like you’re wasting your time. Taking a nap is good for you.
4. Do something for your mind and spirit. Our health comes from the inside-out. Attention here is as important as diet and exercise. Many people set aside Sundays to attend their local house of worship. If this is your custom, by all means, attend and be involved. If not, find those things that are meaningful to you – reading a good book, listening to music, meditating, or spending time in nature. It will go a long way toward helping you stay focused and grounded during the week.
5. Support a cause. Reaching out and giving to others is not only good for the other person, but good for you. Altruism and generosity helps to release endorphins, easing physical pain and strengthening the immune system. On any given weekend, you can find charitable 5K walks or runs supporting a cause. Participate in an event of your choice, and benefit by helping a worthy organization and getting in your weekend workout at the same time.
Tags: Activities, cook, healthy, mind body, nap, shop, Weekend
