The Good The Bad and Habits.
So your quinceis less than a month away, and you’ve still got so much to do!Being busy sometimes distracts us from taking care of ourselves. Luckily for you, we’ve put together a list of habits (both good and bad) that can help you keep yourself in check and make sure you stay healthy inside and out during a stressful time.
The Bad:
1. Snacking habits
We all seem love that big bag of chips or carton of ice cream- especially at 11 PM after a long day. Processed foods like cookies, chips, or candy can cause a breakout effect, undoing all the work you did to keep your face clear. That’s not even mentioning the fact that many of these snacks can bloat you! Consider making healthier snack choices- what your body is reallytrying to tell you is that it needs good, quality energy. Try a fruit or some nuts. Your body will thank you!
2. Fast food and processed food
Unhealthy snacks are one thing, but if your diet consists of burgers, fried foods, or packages and powders, you’re probably consuming a lot more salt and saturated fats than you want to be. You’ve heard it before: “you are what you eat.” So stop eating junk! Stress can make us feel like we want bigger portions and fattier food, but this will lead to everything from bloating and weight gain to acne and feeling tired more often. Dance practices, planning, and other pre-quinceneratasks need fuel, not fat. Consider what you’ve been eating and see if you can make changes for better health!
3. Makeup Removal
Now, many are guilty of forgetting to (or neglecting to) remove makeup before bed. This makes your skin sad! Make sure you clean your face using either makeup wipes, a safe remover, or a gentle soap. More natural products are always recommended (coconut oil is a blessing from the beauty goddesses), but the worst you can do is leave it on before bed as a habit. If you keep a good routine, your skin will improve in both how it looks and how it feels. Sounds like a good deal to us.
4. Overusing your phone
Nothing’s wrong with scrolling for a bit or catching up with friends, but teens have been pouring hoursinto phone and screen time lately. This kind of habit, unsurprisingly, puts strain in the eyes and has been found to lower overall happiness levels. Don’t depend on your phone for something to do! Remember that it’s only a tool- it shouldn’t have control over you. Take back control of your life and think about your screen time; even cutting back a few hours a week can make a difference. Say goodbye to those bags under your eyes with just a couple of small lifestyle adjustments!
The Good:
1. Exercise
If you’ve played a sport, you know the benefits of staying in shape. If you haven’t, no fear- we’re not exactly elite athletes either. However, regular exercise will help you for a number of reasons, as it is proven to:
Help manage stress better
Improve sleep quality
Improve the appearance of skin and hair
Enhance your day-to-day mood
Keep weight in control, even during stressful times
Joining a gym might be a big commitment, but there are plenty of short exercises available all over the internet for freethat can be done in the convenience of home. Get that body working!
2. Sleep
Sleep sets you up for the next day- it restores your energy, repairs your body and mind, and nothing beats a good night of rest. What are your sleep habits like these days? Are you struggling for 6 hours, or sleeping in until 2 PM every weekend? Professionals recommend 7-8 hours a sleep for young adults, but the key isn’t necessarily in going to bed early every night; the trick is being consistent. Your body has an internal clock that tells you when it wants to sleep, wake up, eat, or even exercise if you’re used to doing it consistently. Going to bed around the same time every night is important to regulating your sleep, which keeps many parts of health in proper order. Better digestion? Feeling less tired every day? No more tired eyes? Yes, please.
3. Drink more water!
Surveys these days say that people don’t drink NEARLY as much water as they should be. Is this you? Do you drink water sometimes, and soda at other times? Science and health experts have addressed the myth: sports drinks are useful for hardcore athletes, but for most people on most days, water is the number one thing you should be drinking regularly. If you’re not in the habit of drinking water every day, you may even be surprised to see what changes when you make the switch! People who drink more water have been shown to drop a few pounds, have glowing, healthy skin, and feel better all around at every part of the day. Keep yourself hydrated! If you really don’t like the taste of water, try adding slices of your favorite fruit to give it some flavor and added nutrition.
4. Good company
What kind of people do you surround yourself with? Are you a rebel, or an angel? What about your friends? It’s important during busy times to keep good friends close for moral support and to keep things positive. Positive thinkers who encourage better habits and choices can keep stress levels low and help you make better choices for yourself. “You’re only as good as the company you keep.” At the end of your day, your friends are your friends, but your time is yours and so is the choice of who you spend it with.
The most important thing is balance. If you’re extremely strict with yourself, your health might improve, but you’ll be dissatisfied with life. Try making gradual changes and before you know it, good habits will feel easy and bad habits will fall away into the “I can’t believe I used to do that” bin. Make healthy choices, manage your stress, and look and feel great for your quinceanera.