Adopting a healthier lifestyle is one of the wisest investments you will ever make in your life. We only have one body, and while it feels like we will stay 20 forever, the reality is that with each passing year, our bodies change. If we don’t start to accommodate its needs, it will turn on us. Yes our bodies demand a lot of attention, but if we start listening to it and nurturing it, the thanks we receive in the long run are well worth the effort. Nobody wants to be dealing with sore joints, inflammation, or skin that has aged prematurely, which is why now is the perfect time to start rethinking your lifestyle. Here are a few ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle:
Forget the tan
Somewhere along the line, we have been fed this idea that the more bronzed and tanned we are, the better looking it makes us. And yes we can agree that golden glow is stunning when paired with crisp white and beachy waves, but the risk we take to look that way is going to catch up. The sun and tanning beds cause devastating damage to our skin, which cannot be reversed. The harsh UV rays cause excessive wrinkles, dark liver spots, and in some cases can lead to debilitating ailments. Instead of soaking up the rays for hours on end or baking in a tanning bed, rather opt for a sunless tanning lotion to get a bronzed glow without any of the dangerous consequences.
Get enough sleep
Quality sleep is just as important as eating a healthy meal. Our body needs at least six to eight hours of quality sleep every night in order to repair our cells, muscles, and organs and to strengthen our immune systems. Unfortunately, sleep doesn’t always come easy because there are a lot of factors that interfere with our natural sleep cycles. However, there are a few good habits you can practice to encourage healthy sleep patterns. For example, avoid using any electronic devices up to an hour before bed and rather use relaxation techniques to encourage sleep. This can include a relaxing hot bath, listening to meditation music, or reading a few pages of a book before turning out the lights.
Hydrate
Water is the most precious commodity, but some of us underestimate its value. We cannot survive without it. Dehydration leads to fatigue, dizziness, lethargy, and flu-like symptoms, which can be debilitating and throw you off your game especially in rising temperatures. Keep your vital organs happy and healthy by hydrating properly. If you struggle to remember to drink enough, download an app on your phone to remind you to take a few gulps every now and then.
Focus on your mind
Being healthy doesn’t just mean eating vegetables and giving refined carbs the boot. It is also about focusing on your mental health. When life gets busy we forget to pause for a moment just to reflect and gather our thoughts, which can harm our health in the long run. Taking a few minutes a day to meditate quietly can help reduce stress and calm our nerves when things get a bit chaotic. Taking a short walk outside or switching off all electronic devices for half an hour can also help ease anxiety and give us the space and distance we need to recalibrate our thoughts and emotions. Exercising or practicing yoga is also a great way to keep our minds happy and healthy.
Eat more antioxidants
Oxidants are harmful molecules that destroy our cells and have been linked to premature aging and other serious afflictions. These oxidants are formed when we are exposed to harmful substances like sugar, refined carbs, air pollution, and second-hand smoke to name just a few. To combat these harmful molecules, our bodies need antioxidants. They help destroy these molecules and protect the cells from further damage. Eating more foods that are rich in antioxidants can help boost your overall health and reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions. A few examples of antioxidant dense foods include blackberries, blueberries, kale, pecans, red cabbage, and spinach.
