5 Healthy Lifestyle Tips
HYDRATE
Remember to hydrate. You should aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Water is crucial to maintain clarity, reduce fatigue, keep healthy and rejuvenated skin, support your immune system, achieve optimal muscle performance, and finally keep a regular bowel function. We are made up of 80% water, think of it as the fuel that keeps our internal engine going. Water serves as the driving force to a healthy lifestyle.
EXERCISE
Healthy body, healthy mind! When it comes to exercise, there is no one size fits all. Whether you prefer a sweat session at the gym, going out for a run or walk, getting on your Peloton bike, weight lifting, or practicing Yoga and Pilates, you should be doing what feels right for you and your body. This is your personal time, make it count. If you are like many and have a busy lifestyle, people to take care of, and exercise just doesn't seem like a priority, start slow. Starting and staying consistent is the hardest part. Integrating physical exercise is a marathon, not a sprint – take your time, adjust as you go, and find ways to fit more physical activity into your everyday life. Waiting for the elevator? Opt for stairs instead. Picking something up? Add ten squats. Walking your dog? Add an extra lap. You should try to get moving and your heart rate up about 30 minutes every day.
DIET
Think of it this way, maintaining a healthy diet, will allow you to enjoy your guilty pleasures for much longer in life. Eating healthy is not easy, nevertheless doing a good job consistently will allow you to enjoy your “cheat day” to the fullest. Here are our top 5 recommendations: 1. Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits. 2. Control your dairy intake and when possible, aim for fat-free. 3. Seek the low-fat source of protein, minimize sodium and salt. 4. Reduce consumption of saturated fats and trans-fats. 5. Restrict or eliminate sodas. Remember that your diet is your body's fuel!
SLEEP
Adequate sleep is a key component of a healthy lifestyle. Your mind is surprisingly alert and active while you sleep. This is not time wasted, instead, it is time well-spent towards leading a successful life. During sleep, you can strengthen memories, come up with solutions or go through skills learned while you were awake. There is also a strong connection between sleep and your immune system. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep daily helps heal your body and strengthen your mind. One could argue that sleeping is the easiest thing one could do to stay healthy. Set reminders of when you should start preparing for bed every day, try to do this at the same time each night to build a healthy sleeping routine. Try to avoid any screen time 45 minutes before bedtime. Get those Zzzs to be your best each and every day.
STRESS
Minimize stress – we know, easier said than done. Stress is a known factor for many illnesses including migraines and heart conditions, among many others. Strive to find YOUR way to relieve stress - whether it’s listening to music, hitting the gym, taking a bath, watching a feel-good movie, getting out for a walk, or all of the above. An effective way to push negativity out is to talk to your friends, family, or a licensed professional therapist. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with your trusted circle can provide immediate stress relief as well as build skillsets to avoid stress in the future. Finally, get a pet – it has been proven that taking care and especially petting your furry friends, is a natural stress reliever – give it a try!
