Make your Health a priority:
When was the last time you took the stairs instead of the lift, walked to your next destination or perhaps ordered the salad from the menu at your favourite restaurant??? With all the perks of technology, fast foods and simplified methods of doing things, it’s easy for your health to take a step down on your priority list. New technologies are however not to be mistaken as the cause for unhealthy habits, but it is rather that we misuse it and become lazy & neglect self care.
My essential tips to leading a healthy lifestyle:
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Drink water, lots of it!
Aim to drink water throughout the day. Make sure to drink approximately 2Liters a day. Did you know that adults are made up of 60% water and our blood is made up of 90% water??? To function properly, all the cells and organs of the body need water.
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Maintain a balanced diet
What you eat can directly impact your health. Develop healthy eating habits. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you to eat greens? haha
Beware of emotional eating. Food is fuel, not therapy. It is also common for one to eat out of boredom and mistake it for feeling hungry; however, it is a habit that can be broken. Try keeping your mine and/or body active and every time you feel tempted to eat “for the sake of” find a fun or challenging distraction to fill in for what is known as “the munchies”.
A healthy diet is not following a strict eating plan to lose weight as fast as possible, that’s what is known as a fad diet and will have a negative effect on your health in the long run. Negative effects of fad dieting include; feeling dehydrated, getting tired quickly, serious digestive problems & malnutrition.
Note: Under-eating is equally as bad as over-eating. It is all about finding the perfect balance and everything in moderation.
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Don’t take the easy route
This can be applied by simply being proactive. It won’t benefit you, taking short-cuts, it may be convenient, which is great, it’s only natural that we lean toward simplified methods & making choices that involve using less energy BUT If it seems too easy it’s probably taking up less effort which is depriving you from keeping active (my next point).
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Keep active
Set time aside in your day to keep active, whether it’s partaking in a sport, going to the gym, walking your dogs, hiking, riding your bicycle, playing with your kids or even dancing! Just keep moving! Your fitness
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Get your sleep!
(For more information on the importance of sleep and it’s direct influence on your health, read my previous post : ‘Sleep your way into good health’.)
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Discipline
At first it may be hard adapting to this new way of living but keep going! It will all be worth it!
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Do regular check-ups
Lastly, don’t forget to consult with your doctor/health specialist. We are all different & therefore may have different nutritional or physical needs.
“Create healthy habits, not restrictions,”- Unknown
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Have fun with it!
Adopting a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to feel like a job. There are so many healthy & delicious food options out there, explore different recipes & find restaurants near you whose main focus is the health of their customers & to provide them with a healthy & delectable menu. Keeping fit & active doesn’t have to involve weights & a treadmill, why not gather some friends plan a night out on the dance floor or better yet, have you tried Zumba?! Not much of a dancer? Not to worry, the list goes on! As long as you’re keeping active and not sitting down, doing nothing, you’re good!
***Remember, if you are in the position to help others in need that is not as fortunate to have access to clean water, nutritional foods, a safe environment or basic health care, to do so in whichever way possible. It could be through missionaries, health projects, donations, funding, using your platform to raise awareness or educating your community.
Living your healthiest life is living your happiest life!
xoxo
