7 healthy habits that you can easily integrate in your routine
Each year, many people make New Year's resolutions to live healthier lifestyles. While they may have the good intentions, they often feel overwhelmed by all that they think this goal entails. In reality, living a healthier lifestyle doesn't have to mean drastically changing your way of living all at once. You can start slowly and adopt just a few healthy habits at a time.
- Drink More Water
Even if you think you're drinking enough water, you're probably not getting as much as you should. Some experts recommend drinking the equivalent of your body weight in water each day, while others simply recommend drinking water until your urine is colorless. In either case, this means drinking water consistently throughout your day. One advantage of drinking this much water is that it will leave you little time to drink soda, high fructose fruit juices, or coffee. This means you'll reduce the level of sugar and other toxins in your blood supply.
While flushing toxins out of your body is one reason to drink plenty of water each day, it's not the only benefit you'll notice. As you drink more water, you'll notice that your vision seems to improve and your skin is smoother. Internally, blood flow will be improved, because the water will thin out your blood. Your digestive system will also function better and, since you'll be filling up on water, you won't be as hungry. This will help you lose weight or keep you from overeating and gaining more weight. If you feel the need for flavor, add a few drops of lemon juice to your water.
- Look for Tasty Alternatives
If you haven't been paying attention, grocery stores are now full of healthier alternatives to snacks and other processed foods. You can choose versions of your favorite foods that don't contain refined sugar, yet taste just as good. Similarly, you won't notice much of difference when you switch from processed grains to whole grains. By taking more time to read labels, you may find that you can eat healthier without sacrificing much in the way of taste. In many cases, you won't notice a difference at all.
Another option in replacing your high sugar and high fat foods is to replace them with plant-based foods. This is especially easy to do in terms of replacing desserts and snacks. Fruits are naturally sweet and can be enjoyed without any additives in most situations. Strawberries, grapes, cherries, kiwi, and bananas are just a few fruits that can replace your snacks and satisfy your cravings for sweets. Fruits provide the body with vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients to help the body stay healthy, so switching to these foods will help your immune system stay strong as well.
- Eat One Healthy Meal a Day
Eating a healthier diet doesn't have to be an all or nothing change. If you eat just one healthy meal per day, you can expose yourself to new tastes and reduce the harmful substances you do eat. For instance, eat a healthy lunch each day that consists of just enough meat or poultry to cover the palm of your hand. This will give you the protein you need. Finish off the meal with a fruit or vegetable. For a small dessert, eat a few almonds or some sunflower seeds. This will teach you to control your portions, while helping you get acclimated to healthier foods that may be new to you.
- Take Up a New Physical Activity
Living healthier isn't just about the foods you eat. It's also about increasing the amount of physical activity you get each day. Doctors recommend getting at least thirty minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise each day, but this doesn't mean hitting the gym is your only choice. In fact, fitness experts recommend incorporating a variety of activities into your life as a means of working out several different muscle groups. Look for activities you enjoy. You might consider bicycling, hiking, swimming, skating, or jogging. The more you enjoy your activities, the more likely you are to stick with them.
- Indulge Yourself with Some Pampering
Living healthy also means addressing the stress that can build up from the day to day tensions. A professional massage, such as those offered at https://trinacriahealththerapy.com.au/, can help relieve stress in a comfortable and relaxing environment. In addition to reducing mental tension, a massage can help loosen up your muscles and reduce the pain that may be caused by your daily workouts. A massage helps muscle and tissue recover faster, so you'll be ready to engage in more physical activities sooner. For many people, getting a massage even once per week helps them feel better physically and
emotionally.
- Meditate
Meditation is one of the best ways to ease stress in the mind. Even if you do indulge in the occasional massage, it's important to do something to reduce stress on a daily basis and meditation is ideal for that. It's an opportunity to unwind and give your thoughts more clarity and focus. In fact, some people will sneak off to a closet or to their car to meditate for five minutes after an especially challenging experience. When they return, they feel energized, productive, and refreshed.
- Improve Your Sleeping Habits
No matter how healthy you eat and how much exercise you get, failing to get seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night will take its toll. If you're not getting enough sleep each night, it may be time to re-examine your bedtime habits. First, you should be shutting off all electronic devices up to one hour before bed. The blue light these screens give off interrupt the brain's ability to regulate sleep. Similarly, you should stop consuming caffeinated products by mid-afternoon. If you're still having trouble falling asleep, look at your sleeping quarters. Is your bedding clean and comfortable? Will earplugs or an eye mask help block distractions? These are all changes you can make that can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.
These are just a few changes you can make to help you live healthier. By making gradual changes, you'll feel less like you're having to make significant sacrifices. Over time, you'll find that even these subtle changes are helping you to feel healthier and happier. This will encourage you to make a bigger dedication to healthy living and, before long, you'll find that you have kept your New Year's resolution.
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