Creating a healthy life for yourself requires intention and focus. Focusing on exercise and diet may seem obvious, but areas such as sleep, mindfulness, and recovery are just as important for overall health. Take the time to introduce the following healthy changes into your daily habits and move on to a healthier person.
Think about nutrition
Developing healthy eating habits can make you feel better during your day. Think of food as fuel for your body and choose foods based on the nutrients that make up your diet. When you think about food this way, it becomes easier to develop healthy eating habits. Planning meals in advance and preparing meals on the weekends can also be a big benefit when trying to choose a healthy diet.
Understanding how macronutrients make up your diet will also help you make the right decision for your body. Think about protein when you make meals for yourself. People who exercise regularly and want to increase strength should eat about one gram of protein per pound of body weight. This goal can be difficult to accomplish, so try adding a high-effective whey protein shake or snack that provides extra protein. After considering protein, find a good ratio of fats and carbohydrates that are good for your body and your daily routine.
Daily Exercise
Exercise goes hand in hand with nutrition. Even if you do certain types of exercises regularly, you should stay active throughout the day. Get up from your desk and go for a walk every hour or at lunchtime.
Incorporating fitness and activities throughout your day will give you more energy overall and keep you in a good mood.
Adjust your sleep schedule
Good sleep habits are very beneficial for overall health. Getting enough sleep, at least seven or eight hours, is really important and that is constant sleep. Regular and varied sleep and waking times promote healthy and quality sleep. When you sleep, your body goes through a sleep cycle and you want to get as much restful sleep as possible. Drinking alcohol, drinking caffeine late, and overeating near bedtime can also lead to restful sleep. Investing in a sleep tracker can help you monitor your sleep quality and change your habits.
Stay hydrated
No one says enough! Drink plenty of water. Drinking water has different benefits. Drinking water affects energy levels, brain function and helps increase physical efficiency. Cells need water to work properly and help digest food. Depending on how much you sweat and what kind of climate you live in, the amount of water you need can vary. For most people, between 90-125 ounces a day is a good goal. If it feels like excess water, try the Water Reminder app to get alerts and reminders when it’s time to drink and track your daily intake.
Stretching and recovery
Every day, take the time to stretch your muscles and show a little love to your body. It’s best to do a few minutes of yoga to practice flexibility in your breathing, muscle recovery, and mindfulness. Even if you can’t make time for yoga, stretching for a while will help prevent injury and muscle stiffness the next day. After a workout or after a hot shower, stretch while your muscles are still warm.
Show gratitude
Use the Gratitude Journal. You don’t need a special journal to practice gratitude, however, you can use it. In any notebook, unless you take a moment before bed every night or as soon as you wake up in the morning, write down something for which you are grateful. Studying gratitude has scientifically proven positive benefits. Gratitude Journal can reduce stress levels, help you calm down and give you a perspective on life.
