5 Healthy Living Choices for Year-Round Results
We Americans are pretty predictable when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. Although the ranking might change from year to year, the top resolutions, as listed by Statista for 2019, generally do not. Note that many can be grouped under the general category of healthy living.
- Diet or eat healthier
- Exercise more
- Lose weight
- Save more and spend less
- Learn a new skill or hobby
- Quit smoking
- Read more
- Find another job
- Drink less alcohol
- Spend more time with family and friends
Healthy living means more than fitness or doing exercises. It means doing whatever it takes to create a strong, happy, and healthy body and mind.
Granted, few Americans actually stick to keeping their resolutions.
But as a retailer, you need to be prepared to encourage your customers to at least make the attempt by stocking what they need to accomplish their goals.
1. Healthy Living: Diet, Eat Healthier, and Lose Weight
Research shows that the average American starts gaining weight in October, with weight gain peaking just after Christmas. And that it can take five months to get the weight back to normal.
Another study shows that over 41% of adults ages 40 through 59 are not just overweight, but obese. Children are struggling with weight issues too.
It’s time to take control. Helpful products to accomplish weight loss resolutions include:
- Weight scales and scales that measure BMI and body fat are especially useful for overall health monitoring and accountability
- Cooking scales to weigh foods for accurate portion control
- Air fryers are a favorite kitchen appliance because they provide that special crispness without adding calorie-heavy fats
- Healthy cooking utensils use nonstick surfaces to reduce the need for greasing while indoor grills have channels that drain away excess fat
2. Exercise more
Regular exercise drops off in December to the lowest level of the year. That shouldn’t come as a surprise because cold, inclement weather keeps people more housebound. Plus holidays make it difficult to maintain a routine.
A fitness tracker or fitness watch can help an adult or a child count steps and monitor overall activity whether they are indoors or outside.
Dog owners do have a fitness advantage. Studies show that “dog owners are more likely to reach their fitness goals than those without canine companions.” They are “34% more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking per week than non-dog owners.”
As both fitness motivators and beloved fur babies, dogs need to be happy and healthy. A pet tracking collar not only incorporates GPS, it lets owners monitor activity, health and wellness, as well as log vet records, and more.
If your customers are more interested in getting limber and mentally calm, the right yoga accessories can help prepare the proper attitude.
Although gym membership is useful, not everyone can afford a membership or make time to get to a gym on a regular basis. Inexpensive exercise equipment such as bands, ropes, weights, and balls can provide a great alternative fitness experience for use around the house.
3. Taking better care of the body
Keeping hydrated all year round is important. The reusable water bottle market, valued at $7.6 billion in 2016, is forecasted to grow to an estimated $10.4 billion by 2024 according to Transparency Market Research. Refillable water bottles are a cost-saving and sound-ecological alternative to plastic bottles.
Another important part of fitness and taking care of the body is getting a good night’s sleep. Many activity trackers also track sleep so your customers have an idea of how well their bodies are resting at night. And for those who have trouble falling asleep, sound machines offer users a soothing sleep experience by incorporating several sound programs from which to choose. Many sound machines are light enough for travel—helping users fall asleep when in strange surroundings.
Pampering can be a great way to relax both mind and body. Possible products to carry range from facial scrubbers and massagers to electric toothbrushes and beauty masks.
4. Learn a new skill or hobby
Many people resolve to take up a new sport. Multisport GPS watches not only provide GPS location and wrist-monitor heart rates, but they can also be worn in the water and include sports apps as well preloaded topographical maps, golf courses, and ski maps. There are also devices geared toward specific physical activities such as hiking, running, golf, and geocaching.
Should that new hobby be running, other helpful accessories you can carry in your store are personal safety devices and headphones. Stun guns and pepper spray can add confidence if running must be done at night. And bone conduction headphones keep ears open to ambient noises so users can monitor their surroundings while they run.
5. Drink less alcohol
Researchers have found that 40% of American adults consume too much alcohol—a 10% increase from 2014! How much is too much? More than 14 drinks a week for men, 7 drinks a week for women.
One helpful tool your customers can use to know if they’ve had too much to drive is a breathalyzer. Portable breathalyzers are discreet, easy-to-use devices that quickly test blood alcohol content. Disposable mouthpiece covers are available for sanitary use, especially important if there are multiple users.
Helping your customers keep their healthy living resolutions
Products that promote healthy living will dovetail into most New Year’s resolutions. And they can help you forge a positive relationship with your customers as you both move deeper into the new year.
Find the fitness essentials you need at petra.com, your 24-hour source for stress-free inventory during the holidays and all year long.