Living healthy is not a goal you can accomplish in a single day. It takes a long-term lifetime commitment. Even so, there are steps you can take right now to start living healthier today and get you moving in the right direction a healthier you in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.
Eat Well
Everyone loves to eat and eating well is a healthy living tip that is easy to implement. Eating well is all about understanding and choices. Choosing to eat healthy is the first step. Of course, choosing to eat healthy means you need to stock your pantry and refrigerator with healthy foods so you’ll be prepared with delicious options when hunger strikes. Remember to eat the rainbow of fruits and vegetables (five to nine servings daily) for optimum nutrients. When it’s time to eat focus on savoring your food to truly feel satisfied and eat less.
Get Active
Getting more active is easy when you set goals and make it fun. Start with an easy weekly goal. Once you’ve accomplished it and gained a bit of confidence, set the next goal, and go for it! As you set your goals, try to include a friend in the activity you choose, whether its walking, taking a dance class, joining a yoga class, or trying tai chi. In addition to organized activities, try to include more movement into your day like taking the stairs, parking farther away from the store when running errands, or taking a walk after lunch.
Engage Your Mind
In addition to physical activities, you’ll want to engage your mind in mentally stimulating activities as well. These brain-challenging activities are even more effective at keeping you healthy if you include friends in the fun. As a bonus, recent research has shown that engaging your brain in challenging activities makes you less likely to develop dementia.
Sleep Well
Just like diet and exercise, sleeping well offers a host of health benefits. So, if you find you are having difficulty sleeping, take the steps to improve your sleep and your health. Start by turning off the computer and the television at least two hours before bed, to help you fall asleep easier. Doing some light stretches prior to heading off to bed is beneficial, but say no to heavy exercise near your bed time. A hot bath is a great way to relax and help you fall asleep faster. Going to bed and getting up on schedule can help you sleep better too.
Manage Your Stress
Managing your stress can help you sleep better and live a healthier lifestyle. Medication, yoga, and exercise are great ways to help you keep your stress levels balance throughout the day. When you feel stress rising in certain situations at work or home, removing yourself from the circumstance to take a few relaxing breaths and refocus can help you control your stress levels even in high pressure situations.
Enhance Relationships
Your personal connections really do impact your life. Positive, encouraging relationships help you live healthy now. Connect with people who are like-minded, who enjoy the activities you do or who aren’t afraid to explore new activities with you. Have a balanced mix of virtual relationships and face-to-face relationships – both can be a healthy outlet. Negative relationships are detrimental to your health, so if you are in a relationship that is causing your pain, seek help.
With these healthy living steps, you can begin today living a healthier lifestyle a little at a time. You don’t have to take all the steps at once, but adding in small changes one by one can get you well on the way to a healthier you – starting today.
