7 Simple Steps For A Healthier Life

We must do all we can to ensure that our bodies are healthy and functioning as they should. Making changes to our diet, implementing an exercise routine and quitting smoking are just a few examples of what we can do to give our health a boost – but there are so many other factors to consider too. Read on for 7 simple steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Taking care of what you eat and how you look after your body means that you will be less likely to suffer from problems in the future, from heart conditions like mitral valve regurgitation, strokes, and heart attacks, to cancer and diabetes.

1. Eat a nutrient-packed diet

As the saying goes, you are what you eat – so eating lots of nutrient-rich, colourful foods will give your body everything it needs to function properly. Eating a balanced diet is essential when creating a healthier life for yourself. You should make sure that you eat a range of fruit and vegetables, protein to help build and maintain muscles, dairy and whole grains so that your body can benefit from a natural boost of energy. If your diet contains a lot of fast food or beige-coloured foods, try, and add more colour to your plate at mealtimes. Your body will have everything it needs to fight infection, and function correctly to keep you healthy.

2. Get enough sleep

Sleep plays an important part in our lives – we all know how difficult it is to get our brain and body functioning after a bad night’s sleep. Not getting enough sleep can have an impact on your ability to focus, and it can also cause you to become irritable. Being tired can also have an impact on your diet and can make you crave foods that are not good for you, as well as depleting your energy which can have an impact on your motivation to exercise. Generally, you should try and make sure that you get at least 7 hours of sleep per night so that you can improve your health, manage your emotions more easily and concentrate on being productive.

3. Exercise

Implementing exercise into your daily routine is not just essential when it comes to keeping your body healthy, but your mind too. Exercising allows you to build strength and stamina and keeps your heart healthy, as well as improving your mental health and acting as a natural stress reliever. Maybe you avoid exercise because you think it means spending hours in the gym – it doesn’t have to be like that. Finding a form of exercise that you enjoy is key, so you stick with it – whether that’s running, swimming, dancing, or joining a new class that you’ve never tried before. Getting started is the hard part, but once you get going, your body and mind will feel stronger.

4. Make time for things you love

Sometimes work and other life commitments come before doing things that you love, but it is essential to your health that you make time for yourself. Putting work before everything else means that you may end up suffering from burnout. You might become stressed and irritable and even depressed. Doing things that you love, even if it’s just for ten minutes a day can have a huge impact on your mental health. This could be anything from reading a book, listening to your favourite songs, going for a quick walk, or playing with your dog. Make sure you schedule time for yourself so you can stay happy and focused.

5. Stay hydrated

Hydration is an essential part of maintaining a healthier lifestyle. You need to keep your body hydrated for temperature regulation, to prevent illness and infections and so that nutrients can be delivered to organs and cells around your body. Most adults need to ensure they’re drinking at least 1.5 litres each day – with water being the best fluid to keep you hydrated. Make sure that you prioritise your water intake when trying to create a healthier life.

6. Be mindful

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health, which is why practising mindfulness is so important. Mindfulness is simply doing something that allows you to be present and in the moment. It can help you to manage feelings of stress and anxiety and allow you to feel calmer and more collected. You can practice mindfulness with a short meditation, reading a book, or doing a hobby that you love – anything that takes your mind off past and future worries.

7. Stop smoking and drinking

These are both habits that you should think about quitting to help you achieve an all-around healthier lifestyle. Smoking can cause serious illnesses throughout your life, like cancer and heart disease, as well as increasing your risk of stroke and diabetes. Drinking to excess can also cause issues around your body, that could cause problems in the future much like smoking, including various cancers, and memory problems. Both smoking and drinking can weaken your immune system, so you’re more likely to feel unwell more often. Taking steps to quit both habits will have a hugely positive impact on your lifestyle.