I am honored to partner with Stage to bring you their Bring Heart Home campaign! Our goal for this campaign is to raise awareness about heart health and get people involved in the cause to help the American Heart Association.
Now until April 30th, for every #BringHeartHome post on Instagram or Facebook, Stage Stores will donate $1 to the American Heart Association – up to $25,000! Click here for more information: Stage.com/BringHeartHome.
To get people involved in this great cause, today’s post is dedicated to 5 simple steps to a healthier lifestyle. Just a few small changes you can make every day to improve your heart health. Keep scrolling to read more!
5 Simple Steps to A Healthier Lifestyle
1. Start your Morning Off Right
A healthier lifestyle starts with a good night’s sleep and a nutritious diet. Every morning I make myself a yummy smoothie packed with all the nutrients I need for a strong start to my day. I learned about healthy eating through the book Body Love where author Kelly LeVeque breaks down the complexity of food and teaches you how to maintain a balanced diet. Her book also includes 88 number of super healthy and delicious recipes to try. My favorite smoothie recipe is as follows:
- handful of ice
- 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
- half a banana
- handful of blueberries
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use this vegan one)
- 1 chopped-up date
- large handful of spinach
- Tbsp of coconut oil
- sprinkled cocoa nibs on top after blending all other ingredients together
A smoothie like this one helps kickstart my body and mind for a successful day.
2. Find a Workout Buddy
It’s always nice to have a partner to motivate you. Plus, having someone to work out with makes it more fun. You can hold each other accountable and participate in group activities together. Set a time each week to meet up and work out. Share your fitness goals with each other and be each other’s cheerleaders. If you are struggling to get your fitness routine started, consider getting an energy-boosting mobile IV hydration treatment. A healthcare professional will visit your home or office and administer a vitamin IV cocktail. Treatments not only fuel workouts, but promote faster recovery, too!
3. Stretch!
My body used to hurt from sitting at a desk all day. When I finally made stretching a part of my daily routine I noticed such a difference. My muscles were not as sore and tight as they used to be. I didn’t get the same leg cramps that I used to, and overall I just feel more relaxed after a good stretch session. You can stretch while you’re waiting for your coffee to brew in the morning, at the dog park, or in the shower. Trust me, even a little bit of stretching goes a long way.
4. Find activities you enjoy.
This makes being active so much more enjoyable. One option is to join a club of a sport or hobby you’ve always wanted to learn. For me it was tennis. So I found a local tennis group via meetup.com and started bi-weekly lessons. It makes sit so much easier to get a workout in when I enjoy the activity and I am finally getting to experience a sport I always wanted to play.
5. Get Moving!
Find ways to get moving every day. Maybe that’s parking farther away or taking the stairs to get more steps in. Do you ever track your steps via your phone? It’s quite fun actually. Just check out your health app on your iPhone. . Every moment you spend is a dedication to your body and your heart health.
Now is our time to give back! Show us how you #BringHeartHome! During the month of April, for every #BringHeartHome post on Instagram or Facebook, Stage Stores will donate $1 to the American Heart Association – up to $25,000! Share a healthy recipe, embrace an active lifestyle, refresh your home, destress after work, a self-care routine, simple workouts, give back to your community, and other healthy habits to help spread the word about heart health!
If you live near a Stage store, they will be hosting activations and events where you can help them give back to AHA. Just check their website for a list of events in your area. Click here for more information: Stage.com/BringHeartHome.
Also, check out my tropical home decor post where I created a paradise right in my living room with Stage.
SHOP THIS SPRING WORKOUT LOOK:
Nike Vintage Skirt | Puma Floral Leggings | adidas Yola Top | Nike Vintage Full-Zip Hoodie
This healthier lifestyle post was sponsored by Specialty Retailers, Inc. All opinions expressed here are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep Laura Lily going!
Photos by Taylor Lynn Photo
