Living a healthy lifestyle
The new year is the perfect time to start trying new things– from a new work routine to a healthier diet, and Hudson Square is just the place to get started!
Switch up your work routine
Doing the same thing day after day can make life seem mundane and ordinary, especially when you work from home. Even the smallest of changes can make a big difference in your overall outlook on your work life, so check out the following ideas!
- Take breaks and go for a walk. Taking a break and going for a walk allows you to stretch your joints and muscles and clear your mind. You can come back to your desk with a fresh mindset.
A 10-minute walk a day has several health benefits for both your mind and body. Mayo Clinic names several benefits like improving your memory and cognition and reducing tension and stress.
Need ideas on where to walk in Hudson Square? Click here to view our suggested routes.
- Exercise, even from your desk. Exercising doesn’t have to mean going to the gym and putting on full workout gear. There are several exercises you can do even sitting down in your office chair with no equipment. Check out the following links for ideas.
30 office exercises (Healthline)
Secret desk workout (Fitbit)
Exercise at your desk (WebMD)
Desk Exercises (Video)
Neck pain stretches (Video)
Daily workout at your desk (Video Wall Street Journal)
- Practice mindfulness. When you’re bogged down by your work, your personal life and just the nature of the world in 2021, it can be hard to think positively. Mindful thinking can help with reducing stress, anxiety and depression.
Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress, according to the Mayo Clinic.
There’s a lot of ways to practice mindfulness, so find what works best for you.
Mindfulness Exercises for adults and kids (Healthline)
Mindfulness meditation (Harvard Health)
How to meditate (New York Times)
Make smart, healthy changes to your diet
It can be hard to find the right balance when you are always on the go. Here’s some ideas for simple choices you can make to get on the right path.
- Choose alternatives to sugary drinks. Health.gov recommends you limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars and sodium– and some of the biggest culprits are soda, sports drinks, juice, sweetened coffee and teas. Choose alternatives like:
-
- Water. Add lemons, oranges, watermelon or cucumbers for some flavor. Even seltzer or club soda is better than soda.
- Unsweetened tea. Add a slice of lemon or sweeten it yourself with a dollop of honey.
- Black coffee with low-fat or 1% milk.
- Snack only when you’re actually hungry. A snack doesn’t have to be the epitome of a healthy meal, but make sure you are not just thirsty, bored or anxious before digging in. Choose snacks that fill in your dietary gaps, whether that’s dessert or fruits or greens, with lots of variety and food groups. Need some ideas? Check out the recipes below:
- Eat right when eating out. New York is the food capital of the US, you should still go out and enjoy it! But keep in mind, portion sizes are larger than ever and most Americans’ salt intake comes from packaged, processed foods and restaurants! Keep some of the following ideas in mind when ordering to help control how much sodium you consume:
-
- Ask for dressings, sauces or toppings on the side so you can control how much you add.
- Look for menu items that are steamed, grilled or broiled instead of fried or sauteed.
- Substitute fries or chips with a side salad or vegetables.
- Don’t feel pressured to finish the entire meal in one sitting– take half of it home or share with a friend.
Need some healthy lunch options in Hudson Square? Check out the following places and their delicious options:
- Sweet Green – 293 Spring Street (Kale Caesar Salad, Harvest Bowl)
- Chopt – 200 Varick Street (Sesame Ginger Salad, Classic Cobb Salad)
- Just Salad – 325 Hudson Street (Superfruit Salad, Avocado Toast)
- Getting Hungry – 225 Varick Street (Roasted Veggie Wrap, Create your own salad)
- Essen – 160 Varick Street (Tuscan Pesto Chicken Sandwich, Vegan Essen Bowl)
- Arbor Bistro – 226 West Houston (Sushi Lunch, Snow Crab Salad)
