30 Habits of Happy, Healthy Women
Curves is turning 30 in 2022, and to celebrate, we are offering 30 healthy habits to help you stay on track with your healthy eating and fitness routine.
We’re celebrating Curves’ 30th Birthday, and the strong women who make Curves all that it is. In honour of the occasion, we’re sharing 30 habits healthy, happy women practice. Happiness is important to good health and quality of life, so savour the small stuff, take in the positive, and find balance in your everyday life. Challenge yourself to practice these 30 habits, in the spirit of Curves:
1. Take time for you
As women, we naturally worry more about others’ wellbeing than our own. But to be our best selves, we need to practice good self-care. Make sure to take some “me time” and do something you enjoy, be watching a movie you’ve been dying to see, reading a good book, getting a pedicure, or going to lunch with a trusted friend.
2. Think positively
To be truly happy is to be present. Live in the moment and appreciate the little things—smell the fresh cut lawn, hear the birds tweeting, watch the sun go down, and be consciously thankful for your health and all the good that surrounds you.
3. Surround yourself with happy people
Emotions are contagious. Happy people make you feel happier; unhappy people beget negativity and sap your positive energy. So, encircle yourself with optimistic people in your life who lift you up, and they’ll empower you to be the best you can be.
4. Meditate
Guided meditation is a great way to clear your mind and regain your focus. Try to meditate for at least 10 minutes every day and check out the guided meditations on MyCurves On Demand in the Audio Category.
5. Sweat it out at Curves
Engaging in a full body workout like the Curves 30-minute circuit will help you feel healthier, aid in weight loss, and release feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins that boost your mood.
6. Stop chasing perfection
No one is perfect, and it’s normal to make mistakes. Have grace for yourself when things don’t go as planned and use the slipup as a lesson on how to make improvements moving forward.
7. Get up with the sun
Not only does it give you more time, waking up early gives you an energising jump start on the day. Watch the sun come up, eat a healthy breakfast, and ease into your morning routine.
8. Smile
It sounds so simple, but it works. When you smile, whether it’s at friends, strangers, coworkers, or yourself in the mirror, you will feel better and make others feel happier, too.
9. Volunteer for a cause
Donate your time to something you believe in. Volunteer at an animal shelter, work in a soup kitchen or food bank, or donate your time in a local hospital. You will feel good about yourself and help others at the same time.
10. Give thanks
Make it a point to stop and appreciate all you have to be thankful for – your health, your family and friends, and the physical ability to go through the Curves Circuit whenever you choose. Try to have an attitude of gratitude wherever you go.
11. Follow a healthy eating plan
Feeling down? Giving in to cravings for sugar and salt is no way to deal. Indulging in unhealthy eating only makes you want to do it more, and poor nutrition contributes to a down mood. Instead, follow a healthy diet plan to support a healthy body and a healthy mind, too.
12. Listen to your body
When you’re overextended yourself or are approaching burnout, your body may start to show signs. You may feel tired, emotionally and physically. Pay attention to when your body is telling you to slow down and get some rest.
13. Drink plenty of H20
Staying hydrated is important to boost energy and support a positive outlook and good mood. Aim for at least 91 ounces (2.7 litres) of water each day.1
14. Get your zzzs
Getting a good night’s sleep is important to good health, and it’s key to warding off irritability and ensuring you perform at your best the next day. For optimum physical and mental health, the National Sleep Foundation recommends you get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night.2
15. Don’t be afraid to say no
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with a work project or need a break overall, remember it’s ok to say no to additional responsibilities and to ask others for help.
16. Avoid unnecessary drama
A lot of the emotional strife we deal regularly is avoidable, so pick your battles. Don’t worry too much about what others think or engage in petty squabbles. You have bigger fish to fry.
17. Dance
Not only is dancing fun, it burns kilojoules, too. So, crank up the tunes and dance like no one is watching!
18. Be kind to yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in negative self-talk with phrases like, “I’m not good enough,” “No one likes me,” or, “I’ll never be able to lose weight.” But the way we talk to ourselves helps teach others how to treat us, and it fosters self-respect. So, go ahead and say it aloud: you’re strong; you had a great hair day; you knocked that presentation out of the park.
19. Write in a journal
Even if it’s just for a few minutes, writing down your feelings about the day’s events can help you sort out your feelings and self-reflect.
20. Set goals and meet them
Goal setting is an effective way to map out where you want to be, so you can create a plan to get there. Working toward something, like a new fitness goal or a promotion, gives you purpose. Write down daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. You’ll be surprised to see how much they help you achieve.
21. Spend time with those you love
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of every day, but don’t let relationships take a back-burner. It’s important to continue to build and nurture strong connections with your family and friends.
22. Do something creative
Take up a hobby that helps you express yourself and have fun. Try painting, knitting, playing the piano, or writing short stories. Even gardening can be creative, and it’s good physical activity, too.
23. Listen
When catching up with a friend or meeting someone new, disconnect from technology and genuinely give the other person your full attention. Ask questions to learn the answers, not to respond.
24. Let it go
Sure, someone may have cut in front of you at the supermarket self-checkout line or said something with which you disagree, but in many cases, it’s so much easier to let it go and move on than to waste time and energy getting upset.
25. Save money
Set aside money from each paycheck to build a nest egg for new trips and experiences; you’ll create lasting, happy memories you will savour for years to come.
26. Log off
According to a recent Nielson report, Americans spend half of their waking hours on screens, be they TVs, computers, or smart phones, which can be detrimental to happiness and well-being. A lot of screen time is mindless, so to reduce it, make it a point to conduct as many meetings or interactions with friends, coworkers and loved ones as you can face-to-face. And when you have a few minutes to kill, grab a book or just take a few minutes to close your eyes and relax instead of reaching for your smart phone.3
27. Get outside
Research has shown spending time in the outdoors is good for both physical and mental health.4 Get outside as much as you can, be it for a walk around the block during your lunch hour, a 30-minute fitness stroll, or a bike ride with friends.
28. See your doctor
It may be tempting to skip your annual checkups and screenings, especially if you’re feeling well. But regular exams can help detect problems before they start, or find problems early, when there’s the greatest chances of treatment or cure.5
29. Stretch
More than just a cooldown, the stretching portion of your full body workout helps keep your muscles strong, healthy, and flexible, which allows you to perform at your peak when you hit the circuit at Curves. Aim for three to four stretching sessions per week, or better yet, whenever you work out at Curves.6
30. Stretch
One of the best ways to stimulate your body and mind is by trying an activity you’ve never done before. When you push outside of your comfort zone, you stimulate yourself to grow. And research shows people who try new things live longer, healthier lives than those who resist activities that are new. A novel adventure could be hiking a steep mountain, sky diving, swimming in the ocean, taking a tai chi class, or even trying a new food.7
We all get overwhelmed and stressed from time to time, which can make it tough to focus on all the positives you have to be thankful for. But when you take the time to reflect on all the good in your life, you savour it more, which supports a happier, healthier you! Remember to cherish all the good in your life as we wish Happy 30th Birthday to Curves, and as we celebrate all the women who have made Curves ladies gym the positive, productive place it is today.
For more information about Curves women’s gyms, visit ‘Why Curves’ or find your local Curves gym here and talek to one of our Curves Coaches about starting your fitness journey today!
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