I’ve been thinking about today for awhile now. My focus about my birthday had been on turning the “big 4-0.” But a couple of nights ago I had a different thought. I remembered that it was soon approaching my last day of my 30s, and I wasn’t ready for that.
The thing is, I know that one day older is really nothing. But there is something symbolic about this number. I remember celebrating my parents’ “over the hill” 40th birthday parties, and I remember that as being significant. So, no matter how much people tell me that 40 is the new 30, it still feels like more than just a day.
But age really is more than a number. It is possible to be chronologically 40, but biologically closer to 30 or 50, depending on lifestyle choices. Instead of trying the impossible–slowing down time–today I decided to be grateful about my health and think about what choices I make that keep me doing the things I love. So, here are my top healthy habit suggestions:
1. Eat a healthy, balanced breakfast. TCM would suggest a warm breakfast to stoke the digestive fire. But as the weather turns warmer, perhaps a hot meal seems less enticing. I make up 6 jars (3 for me, 3 for my husband to last 3 days) of oatmeal breakfast, varying the ingredients slightly, as I like.
Overnight Oatmeal in a Jar Recipe
If you love oatmeal, but want something cooler for the warmer months or something that you can grab and take with you when you’re in a rush, then this is an easy-to-modify, easy-to-make go-to recipe. And, you can have it for other than just breakfast! This recipe is to make 1 jar, but of course, you can make as many as you want at a time, as you can keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days before consuming.
A sealable jar like a Mason jar
1/2 cup of rolled oats (if you use instant oats, your mixture will be mushier)
1/4 cup of yogurt (use non-dairy yogurt or lactose-free yogurt if you have issues with dairy)
1/2 milk or milk alternative (oat, coconut, almond, soy, etc.)
1 Tbsp chia seeds (a great source of omega-3 fatty acids)
up to 1 Tbsp of sweetener like honey or maple syrup (optional; I usually add in fruit or other naturally sweet toppers instead)
OPTIONS TO ADD (pick your ingredients that you think will combine well together):
1 Tbsp of nut butter (peanut, almond, hazelnut, etc.)
1 Tbsp of raw cacao powder (if you want a bit of caffeine and chocolate flavour)
1 Tbsp of raw cacao nibs (if you want a bit of crunch)
1/2-1 banana
1/4 cup of frozen berries
1 scoop of protein powder
1 scoop of collagen powder
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 Tbsp shredded coconut
1 Tbsp raisins or craisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1/4 cup cut fruit
Add all your chosen ingredients except fruit to jar and stir.
Top with fruit, if you’ve chosen to add fruit.
Lid the jar and put in fridge for at least overnight.
2. Yoga! I love yoga! But, if yoga isn’t for you, choose any regular movement routine that you enjoy, and that doesn’t injure your body. Exercise releases endorphins, feel-good hormones that are also released with acupuncture.
3. Spend time with people (and maybe animals) who make you smile and laugh. Laughter keeps you young! Hugs and simple touch also helps with the production of hormones and biochemicals that support your immune system, nervous system, and heart.
4. Practice mindfulness. Find ways to cut back your mind clutter. Meditation, deep breathing, mindfulness practice, or other similar routines help reduce the negative effects of an overactive mind, thus helping to better manage stress. Practicing mindfulness doesn’t even have to take up more time. If you pay attention to your food as you eat, you will even digest your food better and enjoy it more!
5. More veggies. Talk to 5 different dieticians or nutritionists and you might find 5 different recommendations for what you should eat. But, all of them would say “more veggies.” The tricky part is sometimes how to add more vegetables into your diet. Soups, stews, slow cooked meals, steamed veggies, roasted veggies, pre-cut vegetables in your fridge…these are all good things to increase. But, one of the easiest tricks is to make shakes. My fave shakes now include kale, fruit, leftover tea, and flax seeds.
6. Practice gratitude. Someone I know shares her daily gratitudes on her Facebook page. I love reading those! Perhaps you can borrow this idea. Or write it in a journal. Or use an app like Gratitude Journal.
7. Practice kindness. Don’t you feel great when you do something nice for someone? It doesn’t need to be something big, but practicing kindness brings huge feelings of reward. And, bonus…sometimes people do nice things back for you!
8. Find your dharma. This was the topic in my yoga class this a.m. Dharma is your purpose. Your raison d’être. Your meaning for being here. What is your purpose? What makes you tick; makes your heart sing; gets you revved up for your day? If you are lucky, like me, you have a job that you love and you live your dharma. If you don’t love your work, find another way that you can get some dharma into your life.
9. Get help. Talk to a qualified health provider to address your health issues and help you stay healthy!
10. Rest. Ok, so this is one that I could work on. I haven’t got it all figured out yet–maybe by my 50th birthday. But, I cannot deny that rest is key to recovery, rejuvenation, and restoration.
If you have any tips on how you stay feeling healthy and vibrant, please share!
Awesome post, Melissa! I am definitely going to try your recipe for breakfast in a jar – that is one meal I struggle to be consistent with. Saying goodbye to your 30s is a great completion exercise and practices mindfulness (tip #4!). Have a wonderful birthday and welcome to your 40s!
anne
Thanks Anne! 🙂
Happy birthday Melissa! You have wisdom and balance, beyond your years. xo Andrea
Thanks Andrea! 🙂