Nowadays, healthy living is the latest and greatest craze. People everywhere are starting to take a more serious look at the the foods they eat, products they use and beverages they consume. What used to be a small topic of polite conversation has now made headline news, and people are taking intentional steps toward health. But true health is about more than just going for a run or eating a salad. While these are important, good health is actually incredibly complex. Fortunately, there are lots of little daily habits you can change in order to help you live life with more energy, focus and happiness. Check out some of the ways you can jumpstart a healthier lifestyle.
Drink plenty of water.
Chances are you do not drink enough water. That’s okay; most people don’t. However, you can never overestimate the importance of drinking water. Mayo Clinic says, “Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.”
Start living a healthier lifestyle by simply drinking more water throughout the day. Carry a water bottle on you at all times, and set goals to drink certain amounts of water during the day. If you’re not sure how much to drink, set a preliminary goal to consume half of your body weight in fluid ounces of water, every single day.
Get enough sleep.
Sleep plays a serious role in our overall health. If you want to feel better and live healthier, then set a goal to get seven to nine hours of sleep every single night. That might mean skipping an early workout every now and then, but it’s worth it. The drawbacks to lack of sleep are significant.
According to Healthline, when your body loses sleep you can suffer from conditions such as: illness, heart issues, cognition problems, weight gain, diseases and even a reduced libido. Instead, make sleep your priority. If you struggle getting to sleep, try using calming essential oils, eat sleep-promoting foods or track your sleep throughout the night.
Move out and about.
While vigorous exercise can definitely have a positive influence on health, it doesn’t always counteract the effects of sitting stationary for the rest of the day. In fact, one study reported by The New York Times stated: “The findings suggest that a single vigorous workout may do little to counter the effects of prolonged sitting, while strolling around frequently in addition to exercising does seem to keep the harm at bay.”
Rather than working out for an hour or so in the morning and then calling it good for the rest of the day, concentrate on consistent and moderate activity throughout the entire day. This could mean taking the stairs rather than an elevator, or going for a quick walk around the office over lunch. For a healthier lifestyle, focus on getting your steps in wherever and whenever you can during the day.
Understand what you ingest.
Ultimately, your diet can play a notable role in healthy lifestyle choices. WebMD says, “Those little bites the leftovers you swipe from your child’s plate, or an extra doughnut at your weekly meeting—are easy to forget. Yet over time they can add up.” While crash diets are never a healthy solution, you should make your food and drink choices a priority in life. Pay attention to the foods you consume on a daily basis.
For instance, try using a smartphone app or pen and paper to record everything you eat throughout the week, the consider what small adjustments you can make. Research your body type and evaluate the right proportion of food you need. And of course, don’t forget to consider the drinks you consume, as well. Sugary drinks, energy drinks and alcohol can all have negative health risks to evaluate.
A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, but how do you get there? Rather than starting over completely, begin by making small changes to your daily habits already in place. Keep these tips in mind as you pursue a healthier lifestyle and see how your life is impacted for the better.