3 Ways to Add Some Zest to Your Routine!

• Following the same routine day after day can get boring; jazzing things up regularly with departures from the ordinary can keep you engaged and excited! Research has shown that new experiences activate the brain's reward system, flooding it with chemicals, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, that make you feel good. So what are you waiting for?
• Try a new food! Pick up a new fruit or vegetable — one you've never sampled before — from the grocery store or farmers' market. Try a new recipe from the Recipe Index, or swap a new veggie into a favorite old recipe. Either way, you'll end up with some new tastes on your plate!
• Try a new activity! A great way to stay motivated in your exercise program or overcome a plateau is to change up your routine with a new activity. You can take a class in something you've always wanted to try (dance? a martial art? snowboarding?) or ask an adventurous friend to plan a surprise activity or outing for both of you. Even just changing the route of your regular walk or run can stimulate your mind with new scenery.
• Change your mode of transportation! Try making short trips by foot or bike instead of by car; you'll be amazed at the details you notice when you're out in the open instead of watching the world go by through a windshield. Or if you use public transit, try getting out a stop or two early and finishing your journey on foot. You'll be treated to a new perspective and get some extra exercise into your day!