The Best Tips for Setting up Your Home Environment with Health and Fitness in Mind

Your home is one of the places or maybe even THE place you spend the majority of your time. This may have become the case even more so over the previous year. It’s likely that you spend time eating, relaxing, and perhaps even working and exercising in your home. Therefore, it’s hugely advantageous to set up your home in a way that helps you to support optimal health and fitness habits so you can kick your goals!

From the kitchen to your living area and bedroom, there are endless ways you can help make your home environment healthier. Here are some of our top suggestions that are the most closely related to helping you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Kitchen

This one is first on the list because it’s probably the most likely area of your home to work against your health and fitness goals. However, there are several easy things you can do to make sure this part of your home is helping, rather than hindering, your progress.

The best news is that changes like these are really simple, yet they can make a big difference.

Suggestions to set up your kitchen with health and fitness in mind

1. Put any less-healthy snack options to the top and back of your cupboard. When they are out of sight, it’s much easier to avoid temptation. Similarly, put your most nourishing options in the most visible places.
2. Gradually work on swapping out any less-nourishing pantry items for more nourishing ones. Choose one food type at a time. For example, swap packets of crisps for oat cakes or plain rice crackers where you can add your own nutritious toppings. That way, you’ll still be able to satisfy your desire for a snack and provide more nutrients for your body at the same time.
3. Similar to your food choices, keep any items that help promote a healthy lifestyle clearly visible and accessible. For example, you might have a blender that enables you to make delicious and nourishing smoothies. Keep it on the bench top, rather than at the back of the top or bottom cupboard!
4. Consider sticking something on the fridge that helps remind your subconscious mind of your goals. This could be your weekly workout plan, a list of your goals, or some positive affirmations.

[Find out more about healthy eating habits in “The Best Healthy Eating Tips For Busy People”].

Living area

For many people, their own living room is one of the best locations to complete their workout plan. This has been especially so throughout the COVID pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Regardless, if you’re a stay-at-home parent, you work from home, or you just prefer being at home, this might be the best location option for your workout plan anyway.

With these points in mind, here are a few tips to help ensure your living room is set up to make great fitness habits easier.

1. Make sure you have a workout plan that can be completed in the space you have available in your living area. There are plenty of workout ideas for small spaces like living areas. Try our at-home fitness interactive online personal training sessions. Or you can even bring one of our qualified and experienced personal trainers to you.
2. Set up your living room furniture in a way that maximises the space you have for your workout. Additionally, aim to keep it tidy. A cluttered space might present an obstacle and lead to workout procrastination.
3. There are plenty of bodyweight workout options that don’t require any equipment. However, sometimes there is great value in having some carefully selected workout items to include in your exercise program. Similar to your kitchen items, make sure these are easily visible and accessible. Create a tidy little storage corner for them, which acts as a visual prompt for you. It should help inspire you to pick them up your workout equipment and use it! You might also choose to pin up your goals or some inspirational quotes in this area of the room.

General tips for a healthier home

Fitness is what our team does best, which is why we’ve primarily focused on the areas in your home that are most closely related to helping you achieve your goals. However, there are many other steps you can take to set up your home with health in mind. Here are a few more suggestions:

1. Your bedroom should also be an important focus because sufficient, good quality sleep is crucial when it comes to achieving your health and fitness goals. From keeping your room as dark as possible during sleeping hours, to maintaining an optimal temperature and keeping devices out of the bedroom (or at least keeping them in airplane mode), there are plenty of steps you can take to set up your bedroom for a restful night’s sleep.
2. Keep your home clean to minimise dust and bacteria levels.
3. Gradually switch out chemical cleaning products, which have the potential to disrupt your body’s endocrine (hormonal system). Products such as baking soda and vinegar make effective and cheap cleaning products that help minimize your exposure to chemicals
4. Keep your home well-ventilated to help ensure fresh air is flowing in. Open windows regularly, and install vents if needed. Doing so can help reduce humidity, and therefore condensation, mould and mildew levels.

What steps have you taken to help ensure your home helps to support you in achieving your health and fitness goals? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!