Author:Emma Grace Brown
Living a healthier life doesn’t have to involve huge sacrifices and dramatic challenges. Small changes to one’s routine can make a significant difference over time. Some of the choices that can add up to a healthier lifestyle overall are even enjoyable. Even if you don’t have time for an intensive fitness routine or an elaborate nutritional plan, incorporating a few simple strategies into your daily life will pay off in terms of energy, vitality, fitness, and appearance.
Hydrate more.
Water plays a key role in so many of our bodily processes, so naturally, it’s important to consume enough of it. Lack of hydration has a negative impact on digestion, body temperature, joint health, and even mental health. Yet somehow, it can feel like a chore to drink enough water throughout the day. Research suggests that, depending on your weight, age, and activity level, you should be consuming between ten and fifteen cups of fluid per day. While not all of these fluids need to be water, water remains the best and purest source of hydration. So fill a sixteen-ounce bottle and see if you can drink most of it by the end of the day.
Ditch the sodas and diet sodas.
Living a healthier life doesn’t have to involve huge sacrifices and dramatic challenges. Small changes to one’s routine can make a significant difference over time. Some of the choices that can add up to a healthier lifestyle overall are even enjoyable. Even if you don’t have time for an intensive fitness routine or an elaborate nutritional plan, incorporating a few simple strategies into your daily life will pay off in terms of energy, vitality, fitness, and appearance.
Hydrate more.
Water plays a key role in so many of our bodily processes, so naturally, it’s important to consume enough of it. Lack of hydration has a negative impact on digestion, body temperature, joint health, and even mental health. Yet somehow, it can feel like a chore to drink enough water throughout the day. Research suggests that, depending on your weight, age, and activity level, you should be consuming between ten and fifteen cups of fluid per day. While not all of these fluids need to be water, water remains the best and purest source of hydration. So fill a sixteen-ounce bottle and see if you can drink most of it by the end of the day.
Ditch the sodas and diet sodas.
Soda is a tricky one — you may feel you are hydrating, but in reality, you are filling yourself with harmful sugars and even more harmful sugar substitutes. The occasional soda or diet soda is fine, but if you have a soda habit, see if you can reduce your intake by gradually switching over to a healthier alternative. If you crave carbonation, seltzers and fruit-infused soda water are good options. Green tea and other herbal teas can be refreshing, too.
Eat more leafy greens and whole grains.
Are you overwhelmed by the complexity of the fad diet of the moment? Put off by the idea of monitoring food intake so closely? Take comfort: You can improve your nutrition without buying complicated programs or following a grueling plan. You don’t even need to eat less, necessarily — you just need to eat better. Look for whole-grain alternatives to empty carbs and bulk up your meals with leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, and kale.
Build exercise into your home routine.
It’s a lot easier to add exercise to your day if it doesn’t involve driving to the gym or prepping for an elaborate workout. Just a little extra activity can have cumulative benefits, so try running up and down the stairs a few times or doing chair exercises while doing deskwork. If you can find a fun fitness routine that’s easy to follow at home, give it a try. For extra motivation, try out different fitness apps. Videos and apps will work better on a faster device, so if yours is not up to scratch, consider looking for seasonal discounts and sales on more recent models.
Improve your balance, flexibility, and core strength.
Reduce your risk of injury and improve your health by focusing on what will make you better balanced and more limber. Taking even a few minutes out of your day for some yoga or Pilates stretches while on the phone or cooking dinner can lead to better core strength and overall physical well-being. As we age, it is important to maintain agility. These exercises can also help with posture, which will help prevent or alleviate spinal injuries and joint pain.
Get more sleep.
For many of us, just going to bed half an hour earlier can make a difference, especially if we were just using that time to scroll through our devices or mindlessly snack. Research indicates that most adults are not getting sufficient rest, and this increases the risk of heart attack or stroke as we age. If going to bed earlier doesn’t work for you, see if you can fit in extra sleep in some other way, such as power-napping. Alternatively, refine your morning schedule so you can sleep in a little more.
Ultimately, a healthier lifestyle does not demand massive changes overnight. Rather, small, slow, and easy does it! Subscribe to the Wellness Benefits Group for additional resources on how to live your best life, no matter your age or where you are in your health journey.