3 Small Habits To Take Up Now For Big Results

Runners, cyclists and hikers can continue all year long, except in hazardous weather conditions. All it takes is motivation and the right attire, but the benefits are immediate. Ice skating is an exhilarating way to enjoy the outdoors and socialize with friends or family; most rinks have rental skates, and you can skate indoors all year round or switch to roller blades in spring.

It's cold outside, but you can still find ways to improve your cardiovascular health, body strength and endurance. Afterwards, it’s a perfect time for a hot chocolate with skim milk and a toasty blanket.

COOK HEALTHY MEALS

Lasagna may be calling you more often than those wholesome salads you ate last summer. However, there are tasty ways to feel satisfied with winter dishes that are both healthy and delicious.

My large soup pot emerges, and I cook hearty dinners that simmer on the stove, savory smells permeating my home. Cold-weather meals take longer to cook than throwing a burger on a grill in July, but I find it relaxing when I’m stuck indoors to slice, chop, and stir.

Many of us have memories of our parents and grandparents cooking up a pot of chicken soup. Just cover a soup chicken with water and use your imagination with a variety of vegetables, herbs and spices. Instead of egg noodles, you can use whole grains like farro or whole wheat noodles. Remove the white meat before the dark, as it cooks more quickly. Return the chicken pieces to the drained soup or reserve them for lunch options. And if anyone gets that dreaded winter cold, there’s plenty of soup to soothe sore throats. Once summer arrives, you can switch to low-fat cold soups, such as gazpacho, cucumber and fruit soups.

“A diet rich in tasty plant-based foods can help reduce dangerous inflammation and help you maintain good health,” according to Harvard Health. You needn’t eliminate all dairy or meat, but add more nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and beans into your diet now and year-round.

Think vegetarian chili or black bean soup, both of which can be topped with a dollop of low-fat plain yogurt and sliced avocado, known for its fiber, antioxidants and healthy fat. Skip the chips and pair them with whole-grain bread instead. Once the days get longer, you can still get the health benefits of beans, lentils and nuts by adding them to salads.

I always cook to upbeat music, stirring my pot and dancing as if nobody’s watching.

REDUCE DAILY STRESS WITH MINDFULNESS

“Mindfulness is the act of being fully present and aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment — without interpretation or judgment,” according to Mayo Clinic Health System. It can reduce stress and anxiety and improve mood.

“Try savoring your morning coffee — notice its warmth, aroma and taste — before reaching for your phone or diving into your to-do list,” advises Terri Barnett, mindfulness and meditation instructor.

I pair my coffee with the morning crossword puzzle. A friend imagines her morning matcha as a tea ceremony.

Barnett recommends a simple and quick way to incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives: “Before getting out of bed, pause to note three things you’re grateful for.”

Ease into the day rather than jump into it, even if you need to set your alarm 15 minutes earlier. Taking time for yourself is good for your health.

Do you do any of the above? Let us know in the comments below.