Let’s be honest here, would the Fourth of July be complete without a grill out, sweets, and adult beverages? This summer holiday is all about food, family, and having a good time. However, we believe that the 4^th doesn’t have to include sacrificing your healthy habits and push back your fitness progress! 

A healthy and happy Fourth of July is achievable with some healthy substitutions and preparations. Here’s how to enjoy your holiday festivities without the sugar crash and junk food hangover the next day:

When it comes to getting in shape, many of us are only concerned about the number on the scale – when instead, we should be focused on our health. While you might think that a smaller number on the scale goes hand-in-hand with healthy weight loss, it’s not always that black and white. 

Too many factors contribute to the number you see on the scale. This insightful article demonstrates that weight is merely a measure of the force of gravity on our bodies – not a measurement of health. Your weight will fluctuate regularly do to many different causes such as your hydration level, sodium intake, exercise, muscle development, digestion, or even certain medications.

It’s self-sabotage to only measure your fitness progress by weighing yourself on a daily basis. The number you see on the scale is too unreliable to base your health and fitness on. You could be making some major improvements, but if the scale doesn’t reflect that (which it usually doesn’t), you’ll be discouraged and tempted to give up.

Stuck seeing the glass half empty? Truth be told, a lot of us are. Being a pessimist is far too easy because focusing on the negatives seems less difficult than finding the positives. However, being a Negative Nancy can have some serious consequences. Research has found that pessimists are more stressed, less happy, and less healthy than their optimistic counterparts.

A 2015 study found that optimists were more likely to eat healthily, maintain a healthy BMI, exercise regularly, and not smoke. They also had healthier blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Another study stated that optimists also tend to have more satisfying relationships and are less likely to come down with the flu or catch the common cold.

While some might think optimism is a personality trait that you’re either born with or not, in reality, anyone can learn to become an optimist. If you would like to start looking on the bright side and reap the health benefits of positivity, try adapting these seven daily habits that will help you become an optimist in no time:

When it comes to an enriching life, simplicity is key. Leading a simple lifestyle will help you cultivate a sense of happiness and wellbeing by eliminating harmful and unnecessary stressors. But how exactly do you “simplify” your life?

Simplicity is all about focusing on the essentials. By focusing on the elements in your life that contribute to your health, wellness, and happiness, you can achieve a more balanced and fulfilling everyday life. Living simplistically allows you to shed any non-essential belongings, commitments, and relationships that are weighing you down – helping you spend your time doing what’s most important to you and living a peaceful life.

Here are some tips to help you simplify your life for less stress and improved wellbeing:

Workplace stress is a big deal. While you might think that stressed employees are the norm, it’s important to understand that stress can lead to some serious health consequences. As an employer, one of your many responsibilities is to take care of your employees and keep their well-being a priority.

A 2015 study looked at the negative health effects associated with workplace stress. It was found that millions of workers say their job is bad for their health and has caused them to eat poorly, smoke, drink more alcohol, and exercise less.

Besides the physical effects of stress – like high blood pressure, body aches, and heart issues – these bad health habits can also translate into poor work performance. Stressed out employees have trouble focusing, thinking clearly, and making rational decisions. 

Anxiety can really hold you back from a happy and healthy life. It’s both mentally and physically draining. Feelings of anxiousness can cause difficulties in concentration, disrupt sleep, and it make it hard to feel good about yourself. 

If you suffer with anxiety or nervousness on a regular basis, you’re not alone. In fact, anxiety disorders affect about 40 million Americans – and it’s not something that should be ignored. Excessive worrying can be detrimental to your health and wellbeing, as it increases blood pressure, leads to insomnia, and may cause heart problems.

With many treatment options available, no one should just “deal” with anxiety. If you experience racing thoughts, restless nights, and excessive worrying, and are looking to reduce anxiety naturally, try incorporating these quick remedies into your daily routine.

Everyone has a bad habit. Some might seem harmless or quirky, but others can really get in the way of your health and wellbeing. Here are a few common bad habits that you should stop immediately to live a happier, healthier life:

Going to bed late. We get it, not everyone is a morning person. But whether you work full-time or stay home with your kids, chances are, you have to be a functioning human being before 9 a.m. Going to bed late makes getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep next to impossible. If you’re used to being a night owl, start gradually going to bed earlier. Start by turning off the TV or putting down your book 30 minutes earlier than usual. The more sleep you get, the healthier, happier, and more productive you’ll be!

Over-snacking. A healthy snack when you’re hungry in-between meals is great fuel for your body. However, over-snacking (or snacking when you’re not hungry) can become a big problem. Eating too many snacks in-between meals can lead to weight gain and fatigue – especially if your snacks aren’t nutritious. Be sure to pre-portion out snacks (like a handful of almonds) to refrain from overeating. Ask yourself if you’re actually hungry – and not just bored – before you start snacking!

Movement is essential. Our bodies were made to move, not sit all day! That is why regular physical activity is a fundamental aspect of a healthy lifestyle. It helps keep weight in check, reduce the risk of many life-threatening diseases, and boosts overall happiness and wellbeing.

If you want a healthy workforce, encouraging physical activity is a necessity. Some of your employees might go to the gym after work, but the sad truth is, if they spend eight hours of the day sitting at their desk, they’re still not moving enough to receive the health benefits of exercise. With most Americans living a sedentary lifestyle, it’s no shock that many of your employees aren’t exercising enough. 

Working full-time makes physical activity difficult for your employees – but it doesn’t have to be this way! By making some simple changes around the office, promoting healthy habits, and creating an active design for your workplace, you can make a difference that will not only improve your employees’ work performance, but improve their lives as well. 

Read on to learn how regular physical activity will positively affect both your employees’ health and their work performance:

If you recently started the journey towards an active lifestyle, congrats! You’re on your way to a healthier, happier life. The tricky part about starting a new fitness routine is that the “finish line” can seem a little too far sometimes. We’ll admit, sticking with a fitness routine is hard. But the results make it so worth it.

In order to achieve and see those results, you need to stay motivated – which can be more difficult than it sounds! If you’ve started new fitness routines before, but it’s just never been able to stick, try out these 10 fool-proof ways to keep yourself motivated:

Although more and more research has been showcasing the detrimental effects of a sedentary lifestyle, people still aren’t budging. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle (also known as the “sitting disease”) has been said to be worse than smoking cigarettes. An article by The Active Times states that “sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV, and is more treacherous than parachuting.”

To summarize, a sedentary lifestyle is lethal. It substantially increases the risk of many diseases, is strongly linked to obesity, and shortens lifespans. Despite this, many adults are still leading sedentary lifestyles. According to Mayo Clinic, 50-70% of people sit at least six hours per day, and 20-35% of people spend over four hours every day watching TV.

Even more frightening, statistics gathered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reveal that only one in three adults achieve the recommended amount of physical activity each week, and more than 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.