For many, the term ‘being healthy’ can be overwhelming. From meals consisting of broccoli and chicken to endless hours in the gym, somewhere along the road leading this lifestyle became a term associated with a time consuming act and a bland array of foods.
Well, I am here to say that isn't necessarily true.
Too often we get caught up in the confusion of what it means to lead a healthy life. Magazine covers splash verbiage about how to achieve the perfect bikini body and create chiseled abs in 24 hours. But the reality is if you're planning on making a lasting positive and healthy change, it's easier than you think.
Ditch the idea of having to spend hours confined to the four walls of your gym. Instead, begin incorporating these five tips into your daily life. You may be surprised at just how simple it is.
1. Aim to be active daily
And no this doesn't mean locking yourself to a treadmill, it means set a goal for yourself daily; walk 10,000 steps, use the stairs or even take a lap around your office during the day. Being active is defined differently for everyone. Of course, increasing your heart rate in more challenging activities is important, but when done excessively can actually put too much stress on your body.
If you enjoy a good sweat sesh but can't bear to be inside on beautiful summer nights, check out local bootcamps or running clubs. Both will get you moving as well as breathing the fresh air.
2. Drink more water
Have you ever witnessed a flower begin to wilt after not being watered? Well, that's exactly how our body reacts to dehydration. Feeling lethargic is not only unproductive, it also breeds unhealthy behaviors such as not exercising or eating well. So grab your water bottle and give yourself a goal.
Each time you finish and have to refill your bottle, give yourself a five to 10 minute reward. Whether that's cruising Pinterest or taking a break from responding to emails, acknowledging what you're doing as a positive behavior will leave you more likely to continue the act.
3. Sleep more
We all know getting enough sleep is a necessity in order to feel our best, but did you know how impactful it has on our health? Getting more shut-eye can improve our ability to drop the unwanted lbs. So while it can be challenging to crawl underneath the sheets at a reasonable hour, give it a try.
4. Eat mindfully
As the Huffington Post states, "When mindfulness — focused attention on the present moment — is applied to eating, there is evidence that it can reduce portion sizes, foster weight loss and help people with diabetes to control blood sugar."
Take this into account the next time you're late night snacking for no apparent reason. Other ways to focus on your food include turning off the TV during meal time and powering down any other electronics.
Most of us dine while distracted. Aim to eliminate this or at the very least, reduce the amount you partake in it.
5. Practice positivity
It may seem simple, but the way we live our lives is based off of the attitudes we display on a daily basis. If you're constantly stressed out and unhappy, your body will react by rejecting the nutrients from healthy foods, not to mention the inevitable tossing and turning when you're trying to catch some Zzz's.
So whether you find relaxation in an afternoon walk or listening to your favorite Pandora station, it all begins with a more positive mindset. Take a deep breath: you're one step closer to becoming healthier.
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