While everyone wishes to lead a healthy lifestyle, it can be hard to form new habits that will bring about this. Luckily, there are a number of simple health tips that can help!
From avoiding charred meats to practicing meditation, these wellness tips are well supported by research. Start with the ones you enjoy most and gradually incorporate them into your life!
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy. This includes eating a variety of foods from each of the main food groups (and drinking enough water). You should also try to cut down on sodium and added sugars (such as those found in processed foods and sweetened drinks) and increase your intake of fibre and “good fats” like olive oil and avocado. But don’t be afraid to enjoy the occasional treat — just make sure to balance this with meals made up of nutritious whole foods!
NB: These tips are based on recommendations from the U.S Government’s Dietary Guidelines.
Exercise Regularly
Among the most controversial wellness tips is how much exercise you should do. The truth is that even qualified experts have differing opinions on this topic.
Ultimately, it’s best to do whatever feels enjoyable to you. But in general, adults should engage in moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on most days of the week and include muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days each week. Those who enjoy exercising are more likely to stick with their fitness goals.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is vital for your overall health and wellbeing. In fact, it’s just as important as eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. It can help boost your immune system, improve memory function and improve your mood. Lack of sleep has also been linked to a number of health conditions and diseases, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. So, if you’re not sleeping enough, try to make it a priority and aim for at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Also, be sure to create a good sleep environment by keeping your bedroom quiet, dark and at a comfortable temperature. And avoid eating large meals, drinking alcohol and using electronics before bedtime. Lastly, practice relaxing activities, such as meditation or journaling, before you go to sleep.
Stay Stress-Free
Stress is a major factor in many health problems. It can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, and even depression. It is important to stay as stress free as possible. Try to avoid people and situations that make you stressed. If someone always stresses you out, limit how much time you spend with them or end the relationship. Also, try to avoid things that stress you out like the evening news or traffic. If you are having trouble reducing your stress levels, talk to a professional counselor or therapist.
Getting healthy doesn’t have to be difficult. Just start small and build up. A few of these wellness tips a day will add up to a healthier you over time. Just remember, it is better to do something than nothing at all!