trina mcnair: 5 Simple Tips For a Happier Healthier Life

1. Drink water. I know, I know, I know. We hear it all of the time, but I mean, really drink water. I used to think that I was great about it. I always had my water bottle in my car, at work, on my nightstand, etc., but once I started paying attention, I realized I wasn't drinking nearly as much as I thought I was. Track it! And yes, there's an app for that. Download a tracking app to your phone and drink the recommending amount for your body type and activity level. The first thing I noticed was an improvement in my skin, but it's good for everything. A hydrated body is a happy body.

( okay so literally all of the pictures are of me drinking coffee, but that's a water bottle ^)

2. Make the right food choices a majority of the time. I don't want to get all preachy on you about the dangers of trans fats and the importance of veggies, but I do think you should pick the healthier option 90% of the time. If I'm going out to eat one night, I'm probably getting the burger and fries, but only because I have chicken and veggies at home every other night. If you ever see me order a milkshake, it's because 9 out of 10 times I order water. When I'm at the store, I pick the dark chocolate instead of the milk. Yes, it's still chocolate, and yes, I still eat it everyday, but there are nutritional benefits as well. It's important to treat yourself, but making unhealthy choices a habit will do more harm than good. A good rule of thumb is to remember that everything you consume either helps or hinders your health, try to help it as much as possible.

(sometimes we have strawberries, sometimes we have cupcakes)

3. Spend time with people you enjoy. This seems like common sense, but I think we forget about it more than we should. How often have you thought to yourself "I really need to call so and so, I haven't seen them in forever."? I usually have at least five people in the back of my mind that I would love to see, and somehow other things in life take over. Before I know it, months have passed and I'm missing everyone. Make time for these people. I've said it before and I will say it again. The relationships we build are the most important things we will ever have. Find those people that bring out the best in you, the ones who make you laugh until you cry, or the ones who make you want to be your best self. Even the ones who will call you on your BS when you're being ridiculous. People are what we live for. We breathe for love and friendship and connection. Foster those, and care for them.

4. Move more. Yeah, we have to talk about exercise, but it doesn't have to be scary. Just move more. Park farther away from work and enjoy the scenery on the way in. Use the stairs (who needs an escalator, I mean really?). Take your dogs for a long walk. Our bodies are designed to move. The best thing you can do for your body is make conscious decisions everyday to be more active. My favorite form of exercise is hiking, but more often than not my fitness comes to me in the form of 20 minute work out videos in my room a few times a week. Do whatever works for you, but find something that will work, and do it.

5. Get outside. Did you know I was headed here? Of course I'm going to tell you to get outside! Nothing grounds me more than being outdoors. It can be anything from sitting in my backyard reading a book, or hiking 5 miles into the middle of nowhere. I love to be outside. Sometimes it's a great reminder that we are so small. You stand at the beach and stare out into the never ending ocean, and suddenly your problems shrink a bit. We are specks in the grand scale of things. Being surrounded by nature reminds me that there is more to this life than what I've got going on in my little bubble, and sometimes that is a huge reminder that I desperately need.