HealthyLife Articles

Tag: engage

Get Involved With Wellness

WELL-BEING

Staying motivated to make healthy choices can be challenging. That’s why connecting with others who share your goals can be so effective. Getting involved in a wellness program helps you stay on track and successfully make positive changes.

* Take advantage of your workplace wellness activities and programs.

* Take an exercise class at a local fitness center or park district.

* Look for wellness offerings through local churches, libraries, and community centers.

* Start your own group by gathering like-minded friends, family, and coworkers.

* Remember, wellness isn’t just exercise! Look for programs on cooking, gardening, mindfulness, spirituality, emotional health, book clubs, and self-care, and more!

* Ask your doctor to recommend wellness programs.

* Set yourself up for success by choosing programs that fit comfortably into your schedule.

* Connect with an online wellness community or program.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Address Boredom

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 6

Being bored means being tired of doing the same thing over and over again. It may also mean having nothing to do or nothing that seems interesting to do. Write these ideas on sticky notes. Post reminders in places you often get bored.

* Shake up your daily routines! If you normally make dinner immediately after work, go for a short walk instead.

* Listen to music or an audio book while commuting, cleaning, or doing another boring task.

* Do something that keeps your hands busy! (e.g., cleaning, yard work, polishing your nails)

* Take your work outside on a nice day or sit in a conference room instead of at your desk.

* Do 10 jumping jacks to get your blood flowing!

* Put up with non-exciting tasks but look forward to times when you will be doing something you want to do!

* Go to your boredom jar and pick a task!

Create a Boredom Jar

Write down the things you want to do and will feel proud of doing when you complete them. These activities can be big or small, but try to write down at least a dozen activities. Write down some activities that take a short amount of time and some activities that take longer. Write these down on individual slips of paper and put them in a jar. When you feel boredom could lead to an unhealthy food choice, pick an activity from your jar. Do the activity written on the slip. Write down things you like to do:

* Short Activities (10-30 minutes)

* Longer Activities (30+ minutes)

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Grocery Shopping With Kids

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 3

Grocery stores can be full of education and adventure for kids. Including kids in grocery shopping-and every part of meal prep-helps set up kids to make healthier choices later in life.

* Show the variety of different foods, especially in the produce section and grain aisle.

* Let kids pick out something colorful from the produce section. You can look up online what to do with it later!

* Ask kids to help you decide between healthy options (apple vs. orange). This encourages kids to make healthy choices.

* Discuss why certain foods are stored in the freezer or on the shelf.

* Ask younger kids to describe the foods you pick out. Use shapes, colors, and counting to identify foods on the shelf or in your cart.

* Ask older kids to help you read labels and signs in the store. Explain what these labels mean.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026