Tag Archive for: health

National Eat Your Vegetables Day: A Simple Step in the Global Health Awakening

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June 17 is National Eat Your Vegetables Day, and I love the simplicity of this day.

No complicated formula. No massive life overhaul. No pro chef skills required. Just a friendly reminder to finish the most colorful things on your plate.

And honestly, that’s a pretty good place to start.

I’ve talked often about what I call the Global Health Awakening. Everywhere I travel, I see people waking up to the reality that health matters. It matters personally. It matters professionally. It matters in our families, our communities, and our future.

Health isn’t something we fix only when it breaks. It’s something we protect, strengthen, and support every single day.

That’s why a day like National Eat Your Vegetables Day matters. It’s not just about broccoli, carrots, spinach, peppers, kale, or your favorite salad. It’s about choosing progress. One plate at a time.

Vegetables are packed with nutrients our bodies need. They bring color, texture, flavor, and energy to a meal. They also remind us that healthy living doesn’t have to feel heavy. It can be fresh. It can be fun. It can even be delicious.

I know vegetables aren’t always the star of the show for everyone. Some people hear “kale” and quickly look for the nearest exit. I get it. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to love every vegetable. You just need to find a few that work for you and build from there.

So, on National Eat Your Vegetables Day, here are five simple ways to make progress:

  1. Add one extra vegetable to your plate.
    Don’t overthink it. Add a handful of spinach to your eggs. Put sliced tomatoes on your sandwich. Toss carrots into your lunch. Add a side salad to dinner. That’s it!
    One extra vegetable is progress. And progress repeated often becomes a habit.
  2. Choose color. Greens, reds, oranges, purples.
    A colorful plate usually means a wider range of nutrients. Think leafy greens, red peppers, orange carrots, purple cabbage, yellow squash, and bright tomatoes.
    That kind of color does more than make your meal look better. It gives your body more of what it needs to function, recover, and thrive.
  3. Prep vegetables before hunger makes the decision for you.
    This one is practical. Hunger is not known for making great decisions.
    Wash and cut vegetables ahead of time. And here’s the trick: keep them where you can see them. Put them in containers so healthy choices are easy to grab. Then, when good food is ready, you’re more likely to eat it.
  4. Try one vegetable in a new way.
    If you didn’t like a vegetable years ago, give it another chance. Preparation changes everything.
    Roast Brussels sprouts. Grill zucchini. Blend spinach into a smoothie. Add peppers to tacos. Toss kale with olive oil and lemon. Try a new soup, salad, stir-fry, or sheet-pan meal.
    Sometimes we don’t dislike the vegetable, we dislike the way it was prepared.
  5. Make vegetables part of something you already enjoy.
    This is one of the easiest ways to build a healthier habit. Add vegetables to foods you already like.
    Put mushrooms, peppers, or onions in an omelet. Add spinach to pasta. Put avocado and tomato on toast. Add roasted vegetables to rice bowls. Mix chopped veggies into soups, wraps, or casseroles.

Healthy living sticks better when it fits your real life.

That’s the bigger message of the Global Health Awakening. We don’t need perfect people. We need more people making better choices more often.

A better breakfast matters. A smarter lunch matters. A colorful dinner matters. A small decision today can become a stronger habit tomorrow.

So on June 17, let’s celebrate National Eat Your Vegetables Day with a little energy, a little creativity, and maybe even a little adventure on our plates.

Try something new. Add more color. Prep ahead. Make it simple. Make it doable.

And yes, finish the most colorful food of each meal.

During the Global Health Awakening with National Eat Your Vegetables Day, share your favorite veggie. It would be fun to know what’s trending!

#HealthyLiving #GlobalHealthAwakening #Wellness

Are we connected on LinkedIn? There, I share posts about professional development skills, self-care reminders, and other relevant topics.

Big Impact. Small Moves. Why a Few Minutes Can Change Everything

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Let me ask you, “When was the last time you had an hour to spare?”

Exactly.

That’s why I love microvolunteering. It flips the script.

We don’t need a full day. We don’t need a big plan. We just need a few minutes and the willingness to use them well.

International Microvolunteering Day on April 15 is a reminder that impact isn’t about time spent. It’s about action taken.

Microvolunteering is simple. It’s fast. It’s real. You can jump in, do something meaningful in 10 to 30 minutes, and move on with your day knowing you helped someone, somewhere.

Best part is that this doesn’t replace traditional volunteering. It unlocks actual participation. It brings more people into the game. It meets you where you are. Like in your office. On your phone. In between meetings. Even at home in your sweats.

That’s powerful.

Because most people don’t lack heart. They lack time. This solves that.

And if you’re leading a team, this matters even more. You’re not just building a business. You’re shaping culture. When people see that doing good can fit into real life, they show up differently.

So here’s the move. Don’t overthink it. Just start small. Start now.

4 Ways You Can Take Action Today

  1. Use your expertise for a quick win.
    Review a nonprofit’s messaging. Give feedback on a resume. Solve one problem using your skill set.
  2. Help from your phone.Use a free app to report road hazards or neighborhood issues that cities track and fix.
  3. Mentor in the margins.
    Send a thoughtful message. Answer a question. Offer guidance to someone who needs direction.
  4. Make your environment better.
    Pick up trash on your walk. Help someone nearby. Do one simple act that improves your immediate world.

That’s it. No big production. No long-term commitment. Just one intentional move.

Because momentum doesn’t come from grand gestures. It comes from people like you and me deciding to act, right where we are.

So here’s the question: What’s your 10-minute microvolunteering move today?

Are we connected on LinkedIn? There, I share posts about professional development skills, self-care reminders, and other relevant topics.

Consistency in Daily Health Routines

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For World Health Day on April 7, I am advocating for a shift away from awareness only and toward execution to improve health.

The Gap Between Knowing and Doing

Most people know how to improve their health; they just don’t do it consistently. The gap between knowing and doing is where results suffer.

I’ve found that people aren’t lacking information. In fact, they’re overwhelmed by it. What’s missing is execution. Health is shaped by what you do every day—not what you plan to do.

Execution Over Information

Studies show most health-related New Year’s resolutions are abandoned within the first few months, with commitment rates often dropping below 50 percent by spring (University of Scranton; Lally et al., European Journal of Social Psychology). In contrast, consistent routines, reduced decision fatigue, and structured accountability systems are the strongest predictors of long-term outcomes.

Awareness alone doesn’t change your life. Action does. If we want better outcomes, we need better daily habits. That starts with personal accountability.

Why April Matters More Than January

To me, April is more important than January, because early-year momentum has faded.

April tells the truth. By now, habits are either working or they’re not. This is where you reset. Not with new goals, but with better systems.

Clarity Drives Consistency

These ideas are central to my book, All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, which emphasizes clarity of purpose as the driver of consistent action.

Once our reasons are clear and our ‘why’ is strong, our actions follow.Two adults resting after playing pickleball, drinking water and talking during a break

Accountability is also a critical factor. In my book, I highlight Benjamin Franklin as a model, tracking daily behavior against defined virtues to drive constant improvement.

Left on your own, it’s easy to drift. But when you have structure and support, your odds of success increase dramatically. That’s where community matters.

As World Health Day approaches, I urge us to shift our mindset.

Let’s stop chasing intensity and focus on consistency. Small actions, done daily, will outperform big efforts that don’t last. That’s how I’ve seen real change happen.

 

I shared a version of this article in a news release on April 1, 2026. USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. Since its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear, concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. 

Wellness Check: 7 Daily Habits for Lasting Health

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With August marking National Wellness Month, I encourage each of us to embrace small daily habits that lead to lasting mental, physical, and emotional wellness.

Wellness isn’t something you check off a list; it’s a rhythm you live. You don’t have to overhaul your life. But if you shift a few daily choices, you’ll be amazed by how much calmer, clearer, and more energized you feel.

Along with exercise, proper nutrition, service to others, and a passion for music, here are seven daily habits that support long-term well-being and harmony.

National Wellness Month Kevin Guest1. Start with Stillness

Whether through meditation, prayer, or a few deep breaths in a quiet place, five minutes of quiet can reset your entire day. Stillness creates clarity.

2. Fuel with Intention

You can’t chase your dreams on junk fuel. What you feed your body determines your energy, resilience, and mood.

3. Move Every Day

You don’t need a gym membership to move. Take a walk. Stretch. Dance in your kitchen. Your body was made to move.

4. Speak Kindly, Especially to Yourself

I almost missed my first Grand Ole Opry performance because of self-doubt. That inner voice matters. Make sure it’s a kind one.

5. Choose Connection

Wellness is more than solo self-care. Strong relationships are essential. In fact, I’ve found that relationships are the most important thing. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Also, be there for them.

6. Protect Your Yes

It’s not selfish to rest. When you overcommit, you burn out, so it’s okay to say no to anything that doesn’t light you up. In reality, boundaries are one of the highest forms of self-respect.

7. End With Gratitude

A daily gratitude practice doesn’t have to be long. Name three things you’re thankful for. It rewires your brain toward peace.

These habits align with the mission of National Wellness Month to inspire proactive steps toward better health. It’s not about perfection, it’s about participation. In reality, everyone deserves a life that feels good to live.

As shared in All the Right Reasons, many of Guest’s habits are rooted in real-life experiences, from boardroom presentations to backstage nerves. “I’ve stood at literal and figurative crossroads where anxiety almost beat me down,” he said. “From my first performance at Grand Ol’ Opry to presenting in front of a packed arena, I’ve felt the damage of negative self-talk, but I’ve learned that preparation, purpose, and small daily acts create confidence that lets you share your gifts confidently and lift others higher.”

I shared a version of this article in a news release on Aug. 4, 2025. All the Right Reasons provides more inspiring examples of learning from mistakes and living well. All proceeds go to feeding hungry children, and each book purchase provides 40 meals. 

USANA Health Sciences, a global leader in health and wellness products, has long recognized the importance of social wellness in building a successful business. From its founding in 1992, USANA has focused on clear and concise communication to build trust with its customers and distributors in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. 

4 Ways to Stay Healthy at Home

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Health is much more than simply how we feel physically. Paul Jones, USANA’s chief leadership development officer, recognizes this and recently he shared with our employees four ways to stay healthy at home.

USANA President Jim Brown speaking about the importance of health.

USANA President Jim Brown speaking about the importance of health.

“How grateful I am to work for a company that lists health as a core value,” he says. “Its very vision is to create the ‘Healthiest Family on Earth’ no matter where we are — working in the office or at home.”

Though physical health is incredibly important, so too is our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

“They are very much intertwined and if one aspect of health is struggling, it impacts the others,” Jones says.

With that, Jones outlines four areas of our life we can focus on to improve our overall well-being. It’s the latest in a series of posts from USANA’s management team.

Tips to Stay Healthy at Home

1. Nutrition

For many, it seems one of the more frustrating effects of COVID-19 is the 19 pounds we have gained from staying in and eating less than stellar foods. I have three challenges for us all:

  • First, evaluate the snack selections available in our remote worksite pantries and eliminate the greatest temptations. Snack less in between meals. And when you do snack, choose healthy options.
  • Second, drink more water throughout the day. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.3 liters) of fluids for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women.
  • Third, take CellSentials.

The Challenge: Choose healthy snacks, drink more water, and take your vitamins.

2: Exercise

Studies show the importance of exercise. However, one of the great benefits of regular exercise is better mental health. A comparison of 1.2 million people who do 45 minutes of exercise 3 to 5 days a week have 1.5 fewer days of poor mental health each month.

The exercise does not necessarily have to be in a gym (if they’re open). Shoveling snow, raking leaves, vigorous house cleaning, and many other regular, daily activities also count.

The Challenge: Let’s get up and move!

3: Sleep

Too many of us are sleep deprived. The recommended guideline for a good night’s sleep is at least seven hours. Yet, one in three adults doesn’t meet this standard, according to Nancy Sin, assistant professor at the University of British Columbia.

“A large body of research has shown that inadequate sleep increases the risk for mental disorders, chronic health conditions, and premature death,” Sin says. “All elements of our health are negatively affected when we don’t get adequate sleep.”

The Challenge: Turn off the electronics and go to sleep.

4: Gratitude

This is Jones’ secret to a healthy life. He explains that Nationwide Children’s Hospital has shown the following health benefits from living with gratitude:

  • Improved mood
  • Increased optimism
  • Improved social bonds
  • Improved physical health

And he challenges us to pick one — or more — of the following actions:

  1. Start your day by writing down one thing that went well the previous day and why it went well.
  2. When you find yourself feeling upset or frustrated, hit the pause button and reset your thinking. Come up with something positive about the situation or think about something else entirely that you are thankful for.
  3. Go around the dinner table and have each person state something they are thankful for. Even more, identify something specific to that day that they are thankful for.
  4. Share your gratitude with others by writing a note to someone for whom you are grateful.

To view additional articles in this series, please click here.