Beyond Surviving with Erika: What if you did less for your health?

I can't get started until I say "I'm super happy you're here!" Thanks for following my blog. I hope it's just what you're looking for. And if not, just give me a shout! I'm all ears for what floats your boat, so tell me what you're interested in reading about.

I'm starting off today with a lighter-hitting topic. Don't worry, we'll get to the deep stuff soon enough. But for today, props to you for spending a few minutes on your health. Even just thinking about making some changes is a great start. So let's get started!

When the topic of health and wellness comes up, it's almost always accompanied by a laundry list of things you "should" start doing--whether it's coming from your doctor, a website, or a friend who means well. And, hey, they might be onto something! (They probably are.) But man, getting a whole new lifestyle thrown at you all of a sudden can be pretty overwhelming. So, here's a thought: what if, instead of adding more to your plate, you tried doing less?

Think about this:: we all have these habits, food choices,, thought patterns, and other daily routines that aren't the greatest for us, but we stick with them because they're comfortable, familiar, or we just can't seem to change them, right? I'm guilty of this, too. For instance, I have this thing with chocolate. Why? First off, I just love it. Secondly, because I convince myself that the high cacao content is actually good for me (I mean, I stick to 72% and above.) And thirdly, it's sugar free so it's totally "healthy," right? (I'm looking at you, Lily's.) But deep down, I know I go a bit overboard. The more I eat,, the more I crave, and it's a never-ending cycle. Let's not even get started on my screen time.. Sometimes it's just ridiculous. I catch myself with two screens in front of me at once.: watching a TV show and shopping for wallpaper on my phone. I mean, come on, that's not exactly ideal -- and yet, there I was, doing it. Just last night!

So, I could beat myself up about these things. Feel embarrassed. Compare myself to others who always seem to have it together. But I'm not the only one who slips up sometimes. We all have some "easy" fixes to make in our lives, right?

Check out these options that can really make a big difference to your health by taking away instead of piling on!

• Ditch the soda, energy drinks, juice, sugary coffee drinks, and alcohol, and opt for good old water instead! The benefits are pretty amazing!. First, you'll be saving a ton of cash. Filtered water from your fridge is cold, clean, and (mostly) free! Staying hydrated is great for you from the inside out. Plus, you're avoiding all the nasty stuff: caffeine (not good for your bones) and sugar/high-fructose corn syrup (leads to weight gain, blood sugar issues, heart disease, and more). Just steer clear of plastic bottles -- those chemicals are no good. Opt for a glass, metal, or silicone container instead. I'm not suggesting that you should never have other drinks, but having them occasionally is way better than daily. Is water too boring for you? Try spicing it up with some Liquid IV powder or add some lemon, lime, watermelon, or cucumber for flavor, vitamins, and refreshment. (It's still cheaper than the bottled/processed stuff -- especially considering the potential long-term cost to your health.)

• Cut down on processed foods. Frozen or packaged foods and fast food are packed with the not-so-good stuff and lacking in the good stuff. What's the not-so-good stuff? Fat, sodium, preservatives, artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners, too many calories, and low-quality ingredients.

• Stick to portion sizes on packages. If you feel like having some ice cream, chips, or any other favorite snack, take out your portion and enjoy it slowly. Trust me, grabbing the whole container will likely lead you to eat more than you planned.

• Forget about using people movers and just walk yourself around. Try parking further away in the parking lot. Opt for walking whenever possible. If you're only going up a couple of floors, take the stairs. You might even get to your destination faster than those waiting for the elevator!

• Reject expectations. Focus on loving yourself. Whether you're trying to meet someone else's standards or your own, it can be super stressful and anxiety-inducing to go through each day feeling like you're falling short. But guess what? You are enough. You were born enough and that hasn't changed. Keep moving forward.

• Try to reduce the time you spend in front of screens. These days, many jobs involve spending a lot of time on the computer. See if you can find ways to reduce screen time in other aspects of your life, such as watching TV, using social media, playing games, and checking emails after work hours.

• Stop burning the midnight oil and go to bed. I know it can be tough to pause what you're doing and call it a night. It's great to have some late-night hours to wrap up unfinished business without disruptions, but neglecting sleep can lead to relying on caffeine or sugar to keep you going , and that's no fun.

• Cast off negative thought patterns. If you've had a day where you feel like you slipped up, didn't get much done, overreacted to something, or are stressing about money, your kids, or your job, know that you did your best that day and don't get stuck in negative thinking. Every day, our 100% looks different.

Trying to do this whole list at once may be too much. How about picking just one and giving it your full attention? This way, you'll set yourself up to see some really impressive results in the long run. There's this meme I came across online that's all about making life choices. It is tough to let go of stuff you're so used to, but it could be worth it. Maybe you're worth it.

Wow, jotting down this list made me realize where I can do a little less. What about you? Did any of these hit home?

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