It is so easy to think about shifting to a healthier lifestyle, but most people find it hard to implement habits that will help achieve it. If you are one of these people, don’t worry. Because in this article, we will list down a simple, manageable list of health and wellness habits you can incorporate into your lifestyle. With dedication and discipline, you are bound to enjoy a happy and healthy life after practicing these habits. If you want to speed up your way to your health goals, make sure to read further!
1. Eat a wide array of foods
To achieve optimum health, our bodies need more than 40 different nutrients. No food can provide them all, so make sure to diversify your food choices. Eat balanced meals every day, and soon enough you will feel and perform better! For starters, a high-fat lunch mean can be followed by a low-fat dinner. Also, if you had a large meat portion at dinner, have fish the next day. Balance is key!
2. Limit your sugar intake
When it comes to desserts and mid-afternoon snacks, most of us resort to sweets. Instead of munching on chocolates daily, try leveling up your drinking water without using artificial sweeteners. For instance, you can add some fresh fruits on crushed ice, or add sliced lemon to your water to make an instant detox drink. The simplest way to elevate your drinking water? Add a teabag of your choice!
3. Prioritize carbohydrates and fiber
Almost half of our required calorie intake should be coming from carbohydrates. Food sources rich in carbohydrates are rice, pasta, cereals, bread, and potatoes. It is ideal to include at least one source of carbohydrate every meal. On the other hand, fiber is essential for optimum gut health. Food sources include green leafy vegetables, fruits, and wholegrain foods. Make sure to incorporate these food sources into your everyday meals.
4. Consume unsaturated fat
Fats are vital in several bodily functions. As such, you should take enough good fats daily.
Saturated and unsaturated are two kinds of fat. However, too much can be detrimental to our health, specifically our cardiovascular health. Saturated fat is usually unhealthier than its counterpart, unsaturated. To keep your fat levels at an optimum level, limit your consumption of saturated fats. Food sources include foods of animal origin. Also, limit taking food sources that contain trans-fat. Replace these food sources with 2 to 3 fish weekly, with at least one serving of oily fish. Bake, boil, or steam your food instead of frying it.
5. Get enough sleep
Stop spending many hours binge-watching your favorite series at midnight. It may strain your eyes and contribute to sleep problems. Spend enough time essential to stay healthy and to have ample energy for the next day. If you have sleeping problems, you can try out relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation. You can also eat a small portion of bedtime snacks like cherries, milk, or oatmeal to help your body shift into sleep mode. You can also try jotting down your worries and anxieties in your journal. That way, you can put your stressful thoughts into perspective.
6. Food > supplements
Think about it: how many supplements are your taking daily and what are the needs that you need to fulfill? Think through it, and maybe you’ll realize you’re just taking too much to compensate for your bad diet habits. If it’s the case, then you should remember that supplements will never be a great substitute for a balanced diet. Although many professionals suggest taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement daily, each supplement should target a health need. Since we are unique individuals, our health needs differ too. There are also certain supplement combinations that may do you more harm than good, so make sure to seek professional help when it comes to taking supplements.
7. Exercise and take a breather
It goes without saying—regular exercise is essential to improve your physical prowess. However, in an attempt to stay healthy, remember to be not too hard on yourself. Don’t forget to take breaks, relax, and just enjoy life as it is. For example, you can train on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, take quick jogs on Tuesday and Thursday, and then take the whole weekend to rest, relax, and do your passion projects.