Unfortunately, many people don’t consider their health or take it seriously until something happens. Then, they take a reactive approach to trying to get better.
One big misconception about health is that it is done to adjust one’s weight. While this might be true in some cases, there is a lot more to health than just one’s weight, and one’s weight does not always correlate with one’s health.
Another big misconception about leading a healthy lifestyle is that it is hard and expensive. You can certainly opt for more expensive items and luxury treatments, but at the core of what healthy is, it doesn’t have to cost much at all. Vegetables are inexpensive to buy and moving your body is free. It can be hard though, especially if you have a lifetime of unhealthy habits that you need to undo. But this will only be a temporary hardship until you can create new habits that your brain and body become familiar with. If you don’t choose this hard, it will be much harder to lead an unhealthy life.
Taking a proactive approach to health doesn’t have to be complicated. There are just a few things that you can do that will change things around and help you create a good foundation of health for yourself. You can then work on optimizing your health. If you have the time and budget, there are additional investments that you can make in yourself to support your health, well-being, and your journey overall.
To help you on this journey to take a proactive approach to optimising your health, here are some top tips.
#1 Move your body
You likely spend a good portion of your time sedentary. It is very common. It is also very difficult. Even if you have sat down at your office desk all day, that can be mentally tiring, so when you get home all you want to do is sit and chill and unwind from the day you’ve just had. This is very normal to want to do but is not very good for your health.
If you are bored after work, then it might be a good idea to use some of this time to move your body. You can dance in front of the television, head out around your local park, or go to the gym.
If this is the last thing you want to be doing after work, then see how you can incorporate movement into your day. Can you take a little walk at lunchtime? Can you take the stairs? Can you park 5 minutes away from your office so you can walk there and back? When you can make small changes like these throughout your day, your body will be getting the movement it needs to live optimally.
#2 Incorporate fruit and vegetables
You don’t have to suddenly cut out everything to be healthy. This can make it much harder to stick to. Instead, rather than taking food out of your diet, why not see what you can add to it? The best place to start, where most people are lacking, is with fruit and vegetables. Add some fruit to your snacks, and load up your plates with vegetables every day. This will make a huge difference to your health and wellbeing. You will feel sharper like you have more energy, you will feel fuller for longer, and much more.
#3 Learn how to relax
Leading a busy lifestyle might be earning you a good career, but it is not going to be doing your health any good. When you live in a state of stress, your body functions in a different way to keep you alive and uses resources differently. If you live in a chronic state of stress, you may find that you feel tired, exhausted, burnt out, and unhappy. This can lead to not feeling good about your life and impacting your mental health, as well as impacting your physical health.
Stress is known to be a cause of many health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and more. It is really important that you consider your lifestyle as a whole, as well as how you manage stressful situations. Consider how you can schedule time in your life to relax more, and how you can handle difficult situations when they arise. You may choose to practice yoga regularly, meditate, journal, or go out for slow nature walks when you can. You can also opt for supplements such as CBD oil, which has been known to help reduce stress and is popular amongst many people in their relaxation routines. These are great practices to help you relax and reduce stress, keeping your health optimal.
#4 Get high-quality sleep
Sleep is a major factor in optimal health. When you sleep, your body uses this time to recover from the day and detox. This is a crucial process that your body needs to go through every night. You should research how much you need to sleep each night, as everyone will be different. The consensus is around 8-9 hours sleep. This sleep needs to be of high quality and undisturbed, so your body can go through its natural sleep cycles. You might be ticking off 8 hours per night, but if it is disrupted sleep, then it is not going to have the same impact on you. Many people are now choosing to wear smart devices to bed, so they can monitor the quantity and quality of their sleep, so they can make improvements where necessary. It can be helpful to create a bedtime routine and a morning routine for yourself, so your body learns when it is time to go to sleep and wake up, and it will make the process a lot easier. In your bedtime routine, you can incorporate a relaxing activity that will help your body wind down for bed, for example, reading or meditation.
#5 Connect with others
Your social life and sense of belonging will have an impact on how you feel and your overall health. Human beings are social creatures and require connections to thrive. Without people in your life, you are likely to feel lonely and isolated, which can impact your mental well-being and therefore, your physical health too. Try to make time to see or connect with a trusted friend or family member each week. This might be for a walk, a coffee, or an activity that you both enjoy. Make time every week to connect with someone. If you don’t feel like you have anyone to connect with, then see if you can have a chat with a colleague you work with over lunch, or join a group in your local community that offers an activity you enjoy doing. Starting a hobby or joining a group is an excellent way to feel like you belong, as well as make new friends. This is because you will all be coming together for a mutual interest. Take a look at your local community center to see what activities they offer and which ones you may like to get involved in.
Being healthy is not going to be easy. But it will be much harder to stay in the same place with routines and habits that are not serving you well and making your life unhealthy. Health is more than just your weight or an overhaul of your life. It is about making healthier decisions, eating nutritious food, and taking care of yourself. When you are healthier, you will be happier.
