Studies are proving that not only does a good night’s sleep give us more energy, but it may play a role in our food choices throughout the day and, hence, weight gain.

There are so many reasons to try for a good night’s sleep. The biggest being how refreshed you feel afterward. This week try and take steps to make your bedroom more conducive to sleep. Can you block light with thicker curtains? Can you pick it up so that there is no clutter to distract you? Can you invest in nicer, more comfortable sheets? Can you drop the temperature a few degrees? Think about environments where you sleep the best and try to recreate it.

Then for the rest of this week, try and go to bed at a regular time. Bring a book with you if that helps you sleep–but try to stay away from the T.V. and computer before bedtime.

Does a week of warmer weather have you itching to get out of the house and do something? Try making a list of a handful of things you’ve wanted to try in the state of Connecticut (or somewhere you wont have to take a long drive to get to). Which of those things can you find time to do this week or this weekend? Mark your calendar for an activity you’ve been longing for.

I find that keeping my life full of experiences I’m interested in doing helps inspire me to stay healthy and always leaves me with a good story.

It has been a long winter with only a handful of warm breaks. If you have a chill you just can’t get rid of, try moving around. Do 10 push-ups. Do 10 roll-ups. Move the body. Before long, you’ll be feeling warm.

Taking a break for the weekend can provide a much needed relief, but sometimes over a weekend we break from our regular fitness routine. This weekend see if you can incorporate exercise on one or both days. Already exercise on the weekend? What if you add or try a new class in addition to your regular workout. What if you fit in a walk? Bundle up and try to get some fresh air.

Our bodies need breaks and taking one is good, but using the extra time a weekend provides can actually make finding time for exercise easier. Experiment to see how when during the week your body most likes to exercise and most needs a break.