Small changes are sometimes all it takes to improve your health drastically. 10 simple things you can do for your body daily to live a healthier life, after the jump!
1. Sleep
Us hard working girls are sleep deprived, but we can’t use
our busy lives as an excuse to skimp on sleep. Sleep is one of the absolute
best things you can do for your body and your life. It improves memory, reduces
stress, helps your body fight infection, flushes out brain toxins, maintains cognitive and physical
function, and so much more. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per
night.
2. Meditate
Meditation has some serious health benefits. It helps with
stress reduction, depression, sleep, anxiety, lower blood pressure, improved
immunity, and improved cardiovascular function. It also just makes you feel
much better to simply disconnect from life for a few minutes. "Om"-ing is
optional but at least take 10-20 minutes every day to relax your mind and
de-stress with breathing exercises (breathe in for a count of five and out
for a count of five, five times).
3. Drink Warm Lemon Water
For some serious health benefits, look no further than a
squeezed lemon. A glass of warm water with fresh squeezed lemon keeps you keep hydrated, helps your body eliminate waste, aids in digestion, detoxes your
body, rejuvenates you skin, boosts your mood and cleanses your liver, to name a
few.
4. Stretch
Stretching helps relax your muscles and your mind, gives you
greater blood circulation, better posture, more flexibility, a sounder sleep
and increased energy levels. It’s also a great way to spend 5 or 10 minutes
focusing on yourself and your body.
5. Get Moving
Exercise is great for both your body and your mind and essential to your overall health. It
elevates your mood, gives you more energy, helps with sleep, helps your body flush out toxins. And you don’t even have to hit the gym hard to get your exercise in. Instead, take
advantage of every opportunity to move. Take the stairs, explore your
neighborhood on foot, play volleyball at the beach instead of soaking up the
sun, ride a bike, walk to the grocery store. Aim for moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week, at
minimum.
6. Eat Green
If you’re not eating something green every day, you’re
cheating your body out of essential vitamins and nutrients. And nowadays there
is no excuse. If you don’t like vegetables, don’t have time or are just lazy,
there are so many supplemental green powders you can mix in a glass of water or
your smoothies.
7. Drink Water (and then more water)
Feeling tired? Have headaches? Feel hungry a lot? You’re
probably dehydrated. Not getting enough water can lead to all sorts of issues and also shows on your tired looking skin, hair and nails. Staying hydrated gives you higher energy levels,
better brain function, better digestion, helps with weight loss, not to mention
makes your skin, hair and nails super healthy and acne-free. Aim to drink about
half your body weight in fluid ounces per day.
8. Brush and Floss
One of the best things you can do for your body is take care
of your mouth. Bacteria can invade the body through the mouth, and this
bacteria can lead to all kinds of health problems, inflammation, illnesses,
even heart disease.
9. Stand Up Straight
When you slouch, your body takes in as much as 30% less
oxygen than you’d take in with good posture, which can lead to feeling fatigue. Being upright helps open up your
airways, which makes your more productive and have more energy. Standing up
tall also makes you more energetic, happy and positive. It also reinforces
confidence and helps maintain your self esteem.
10. Practice Gratitude
Most of our inner dialogue is likely taken up by to-do lists
and other stresses. Take the time throughout the day to stop and be grateful
for the little things. After a conversation with a friend, stop and smile at
the fact that you can speak. When you cozy up at night, be grateful for your
warm blankets and comfy bed. Be happy that you feel safe walking out your front door or that you have plenty of food to eat. By making space for these moments, your mind
shifts from its usual state of overstimulation into one that's calm and happy.
Labels:
Health and Beauty
