It might not seem like a tech conference is the prime location for a speaker focused on healthy living, but Darya Rose, author of the blog Summer Tomato and the critically acclaimed book “Foodist,” fit right in at Big Omaha.
Rose opened her talk Thursday by asking the audience first who wanted to be healthier—lots of raised hands—and second, who thought they didn’t have enough time to work out or be healthy—still lots of hands.
“Even though you think time is the reason you don’t eat well or exercise, the truth of the matter is it’s simply that you haven’t developed the habit of doing it,” she said.
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Rose, who also has a Ph.D. in neuroscience, shared three tips for healthier living that even the busiest people can make time for:
1. Eat real food
Rose says that once she stopped eating processed foods and started eating “real” food, she not only started feeling better but also had more energy day to day and felt more focused: “There is nothing that impacts your focus, your creativity, your ability to produce and create like good health.”
2. Physical exercise
For many companies, Rose says healthy living can not only save time but also money. From standing desks to biweekly meditation and healthy food options to fitness stipends, Rose cited companies like Google, Medium and Lift that have made decisive efforts to help their employees live healthier lives on a tight schedule.
3. Make habits rewarding
Instead of doing things that feel difficult, Rose suggests figuring out how to make healthy behaviors rewarding in order to make healthy habits stick.
“What you’re normally told is eat foods that taste like crap, deny yourself foods you love, torture yourself with the gym and basically make your life a living hell, and it doesn’t work” she said. “If healthy behaviors aren’t fun, if the food you’re eating doesn’t taste good, those habits aren’t going to stick.”
On top of all this, she said it’s important to think of health like an investment. It may take more time and take time away from your business, but it will make you noticably sharper and more productive.
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