Do you floss each night, exercise 30 minutes each day, get 8 hours sleep and 8 glasses of water every day? I don’t either. Sometimes the sound advice we try to follow for a healthy lifestyle isn’t possible each and every single day of our lives. I’m not encouraging you to stop striving for perfection with these healthy recommendations but I am suggesting that there may be a bit of room for imperfection every now and then. Want some healthy shortcuts for the days when life is just too busy? You got it.

Healthy Habit: Breakfast

Lower weight, reduced risk of diabetes, and healthy metabolism are benefits of having a well-rounded breakfast each day but if you’re running late or behind you don’t have time to sit down to enjoy that. Breakfast shortcuts allow you to grab and go and still ingest something healthy. Try keeping hard boiled eggs in your refrigerator or a pre-blended smoothie that you’ve made the night before for a quick breakfast as you dash out the door. Toaster waffles or apples with almond butter offer another speedy meal. These shortcuts seem pretty obvious but when you’re in the moment and running out the door, the obvious sometimes eludes you. Take note and keep these in mind!

Healthy Habit: Eat 5-9 Servings of Fruit & Veggies

Fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals are all found in these 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day but let’s face it, sometimes that just isn’t going to happen in a day. Try stocking your freezer with a variety of frozen vegetables for a quick side dish or using precut veggies to add to your favorite lettuce for a quick salad. You can even double up! Throw berries, spinach, kale or bananas in the blender in different fruit and veggie combinations to get a smoothie that helps cross 2 of those daily recommended servings off the list! Another shortcut for getting closer to the servings is to keep slices of cucumber, strips of peppers, celery, carrots, or sliced fruit ready in the fridge; add this to salads, sandwiches, dipped in hummus, or enjoy plain when you’re on the go!

Healthy Habit: Eat Fish Twice a Week

Omega-3 rich varieties of fish- like salmon, sardines, and tuna- help protect heart health, beat inflammation, and have even proven beneficial in combating Alzheimer’s but we can’t always guarantee we will eat those servings each week. If price stands in your way of fulfilling this healthy habit, try swapping out salmon for sardines, shrimp, or white fish. Even though levels of omegas won’t be as high in those cheaper options, it’s still a fine stand-in. Other substitutions include flaxseed, walnuts, and other omega-3 rich foods (see a list here) as well as omega-3 supplements that contain DHA and EPA.

Healthy Habit: Meditate

Practicing meditation can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and even boost your mood and mental health. If the idea behind meditation is something you can get on board with, don’t worry about sitting still on the ground, legs folded, and humming your way to relaxation. There are ways to meditate that can work for you and no one else so experiment until you find the best method. Try choosing a comfortable chair rather than sitting on the floor, invest in a set of mediation cds to guide you rather than chanting to yourself, or do mini-sessions throughout the day; each of these are good examples of how you can change up the practice of meditation to have it fit in your day. Calming your mind and body is an effective stress reliever so try to squeeze a little meditation into your days for clarity and the health benefits!

Worried about getting your 8 hours of sleep? Be sure your room is the right environment for sleeping and check this blog about essential oils that can help you sleep or visit our sleep section for natural products that can help. Worried about brushing after every meal or flossing daily? Try chewing xylitol gum to increase saliva production and use a toothpick to dislodge food after a meal when brushing and flossing aren’t options. Not getting your 30 minutes of exercise a day? Park far from your destination, take the stairs, go for a walk, or ride a bike when you can.

Get creative and find shortcuts for healthy living when necessary. Obviously these shortcuts aren’t ideal and shouldn’t replace these healthy habits altogether but life it busy and everyone could use a hand. Be prepared for crazy mornings without breakfast or stressful days where you could use a few minutes to sit and calm your mind; you’ll be glad you did.