By There is so much conflicting advice all around us that it’s tough to really get down to the basics of what good health is all about. It should be simple, easy to follow and something that can be adaptable for any age group. The good news is that it can be, and all you have to do is slow it down and focus on what’s really important. Check out the list below.
- Eliminate harmful and chemical substances from your diet. This is not only the chemicals riddled in your food, it’s also about eliminating things such as smoking (and e cigarettes count too!), drugs, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol & eating processed fast foods daily. It is very convenient in today’s busy world that we head for the easiest and most convenient choices, but at the end of the day, do you want to lead a healthy life or one filled with disease. It’s worth the extra time and effort to shop for, prepare and eat foods that nourish our body and help us to lead a more healthier life.
- Weight training, walking, jogging.. Any kind of movement which gets you out of that office chair! So many of us sit for prolonged periods of time, or develop a habit of not moving from our chosen spaces for hours. Our bodies were equipped to move around and be active. Sitting down causes many health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and many more chronic illnesses. When we exercise we produce many positive hormonal changes in our body, and in turn, it naturally means we lose weight and begin to appreciate healthier food choices. Make it a conscious decision to move around a lot more, walk to and from work if you can, and take a break constantly from your desk chairs. Not only do breaks refresh you, they are also great for increasing circulation in our bodies and helping us to re-focus on the tasks we have at hand.
- Sleep more, sleep longer! Sleep is essential for clearing toxins from our bodies, even from our brain. Our bodies also regenerate and recover from exercise while we sleep. A lack of sleep brings about many health issues, including weight gain, diabetes and heart disease. To encourage sleep, exercise through the day, avoid eating too late at night, and practice relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation and soothing baths. Avoiding stress is also key to a good nights sleep. Prolonged stress inhibits our sleep quality and encourages sleep disorders. Nip it in the bud before it becomes a health issue.
- Decrease prolonged stress. Prolonged stress s a major health factor for everyone. Excessive working hours, deadlines and every day issues can have a huge effect on our health and well-being. Cortisol decreases metabolism, and increases your craving for high fat junk food. This is a knock on effect for more health problems. Stress can be conquered with meditation and some inner work. When we get to the core issue of the problem, we can equip ourselves to handle the levels of stress we experience.
- Be amongst positive people and friends. All this talk about exercise, food and sleep is great, although being around the ones we admire & love really increases our well being and helps us to calm our overactive mind. Positive people also rub off on us, and encourage us to be and do better. On a day to day basis, this has an amazing effect on us within. Laughing, having fun and enjoying life to it’s fullest is one of the greatest joys in life. Be around people that make you feel good, that you can offload your true inner self. Your health will benefit in more ways than one.
There is not just one rule to follow, but many little things you can use that will increase your health and well-being. Good food, great company and lots of well earned sleep will make your life a lot more meaningful and joyful. 🙂