When it comes to your health, your lifestyle choices beat your genes by a wide margin. It’s never too late to develop new behaviours that will benefit your health.
A positive change is always tough to implement, much more so when your routine is more comfortable and easier to follow. The majority of us fight change because we are either unprepared for it or unaware that by taking a tiny step, we can enhance our entire health.
Have a Restful Night’s Sleep
Whether you’re staying up late for work or to catch up on social media, there’s so much going on in our lives that seems to outweigh a decent night’s sleep. However, sleep is a necessary component of a healthy lifestyle.
Sleep quality has a direct impact on your mental and physical wellbeing. It also has an effect on the whole quality of life, including productivity, emotional balance, creativity, and even weight. No other exercise provides such a wide range of advantages with as little effort.
Eliminate stress
We are all familiar with how it feels to be under stress. There are several sources of stress, such as completing office deadlines or resolving family conflicts. However, stress may have a significant negative impact on your overall health. Stress has been ingrained in our daily lives in recent years; controlling it is critical for general health maintenance, as it keeps you happy, improves your immune system, and promotes longevity.
Among the healthy strategies to cope with stress are the following:
- Sleeping 7–9 hours per night. Bear in mind that sleep should not be stressful!
- Maintaining an active lifestyle and eating a nutritious food.
- Dedicating time to unwind and switch gears following work.
- Scheduling “free time” in order to entirely de-stress and take on less tasks.
- Disconnecting from electronic devices. Yes, this includes putting your phone, iPad, and laptop away.
- Communicating with family and friends about your thoughts and needs.
Move More
The frequency with which you engage in physical activity is just as critical as the amount of exercise. Therefore, avoid spending hours after your morning workout sitting at your workplace, in your car, or on the couch.
Increased movement can benefit everything from circulation to stress levels and a sense of well-being. Increase your mobility by interspersing sedentary pursuits with active exercise. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Substitute a coffee break for a power walk; after all, walking is the finest workout.
- Set your alarm 10 minutes early to perform morning stretches
- While your lunch is reheating, wait in the plank position or see how many squats you can squeeze in before your coffee is ready.
- Use the jungle gym for pull ups, dips, lunges, and push ups as your children play
Organize your space
Although bursting cabinets and stacks of paper strewn around the house or workstation may appear innocuous, research indicates that clutter has a cumulative effect on our brains. The human brain prefers order, and repeated visual reminders of disarray deplete our cognitive resources and impair our capacity to focus.
Researchers discovered that moms with a messy home environment had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Therefore, if you want to enhance your life in general, including your relationship and sleep quality, it is critical to tidy up. As these studies demonstrate, a more organised home and office encourages increased activity and physical health.
Spend time with those who bring you joy
One of the most effective strategies to de-stress and maintain a positive attitude is to spend time with your loved ones, whether they be friends or family. After all, the best medication for your body, mind, and spirit is excellent company.