Steamboat Springs — As I sit here eating my “healthy” dark chocolate sun-cup watching my sweet dog sleep in the sun, I can’t help but think about the other side of healthy. What are the factors that actually make us healthy? You hear it all the time: diet, exercise, moderation, one glass of wine, no gluten, light dairy, less sugar, good fats. But, what does it mean to actually be healthy?

As we set into some of the longer months of winter, it’s easy to forget about dieting or exercising. However, I am not going to let you do that this season. Here are a few of my rules for the “Other Side of Healthy.”

Rule #1: Sleep!

Sleep more that you think you should. About 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night is what you should aim for. Try thinking more like a dog. When you are sleepy, rest. Tired during the day? Take a 20 minute nap under your desk. You will feel recharged and ready to face the rest of the day. Sleep will give you better looking skin, better sex drive, better attention span, less depression and a lower body weight. Go ahead and get your snooze on.

Rule #2: Water!

You should be consuming water all day. Yes, all day. Grab a new fun water bottle and break it in. You should aim for half your body weight in ounces. Let’s do some math: If you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water. Break it up over the course of the day. Find water boring? Add some cucumber, rosemary, or lemon to jazz it up. In other words, make it taste more like a cocktail.

Rule #3: De-stress!

Most likely the most difficult of the three rules. De-stressing your life can be a very hard thing to tackle. Instead of trying to do it all at once, take small steps to make life a little less stressful. Find cooking stressful? Make a few soups on Sunday and freeze them in smaller portions for the week. Have an extra? Gift it to a friend that is stressed out. Bringing job stress home? Stay an extra hour at work and get all of your computer tasks or extra work done so you can relax with family when you get home. Depressed? Surround yourself with happy, genuine people. Spend one hour a week on yourself. Whether that means going for a walk, a personal training session, therapy or just curling up with some tea and a good book. Finally, don’t sweat the small stuff.

I challenge you this month to commit to actually living a healthy lifestyle. You can look good and feel good, but why not just be good all around? Live a little more, love a little extra and laugh a little harder. Because in the end, the other side of healthy is where you want to be. Sleep more. Drink water often. Say good-bye to stress. And eat a sun-cup every once in a while.

Sarah Coleman brings years of personal health and fitness knowledge to the table. Currently training, coaching and managing at Steamboat CrossFit in beautiful Steamboat Springs, she provides flawless technique and a positive attitude. Taking fitness to new levels, she uses the outdoor environment, your living room or work space, as well as the gym to influence and push her clientele. Funky knee socks and outrageous colors make Sarah unique, which transfers into her training and brings a smile to everyone’s face.