How to improve your lifestyle
You may find it impossible to improve your lifestyle. You probably won’t be able to change everything in your life all at once, but there are many small changes you can make to improve your physical, emotional and mental well-being and to enjoy life even more.
Before you know it, you’ll have the lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of!
Improve your physical well-being
Eat balanced. You might feel overwhelmed by all the latest fad diets, but actually eating healthy isn’t hard! Try to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean proteins (including fish, chicken, legumes and nuts) and healthy fats (including including olive oil, salmon and avocado). Avoid processed foods, salty foods, added sugar, and fatty foods as often as possible [1].
Talk to your doctor about changes you can make to your diet based on your personal and family medical history.
Your diet can also affect your mental health. Fruits and vegetables are believed to increase feelings of positivity while fats and sugars are linked to depression .
Exercise. Regular exercise is an your lifestyle essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (such as a brisk walk) or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise (such as running or dancing) each week. You should also regularly incorporate strength exercises to help tone your muscles .
In addition to improving your physical health, regular exercise can also reduce symptoms of depression
It’s much easier to stay active if you find an activity you really enjoy. Try several sports and exercises until you find one that you like
Take simple steps to lose weight. If you’re overweight, there are some really easy things you can do to shed a few pounds, which can have major health benefits for you. Try to eat healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables when you feel like snacking between meals. You also need to be aware of your motivations for eating.
Reduce your alcohol consumption. You can drink alcohol in moderation, but too much alcohol could cause you health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, strokes, and heart failure. Do not drink more than one drink a day if you are a woman and two if you are a man [8].
Get enough sleep . Lack of sleep can cause you to feel tired and unproductive during the day, which will keep you from feeling good and accomplishing your goals. Try to go to bed early so that you can go through the day well rested and full of energy .
If you have trouble falling asleep, try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. It may also be helpful to avoid caffeine and television before going to bed
Stop smoking . If you smoke, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing serious illnesses simply by quitting. One year after quitting smoking, the risk of developing heart disease is halved
However you want to quit smoking, it’s important to find support. Find a friend to help you through the process or join a support group
It may help to avoid places where there are other people who smoke and to spend as much time as possible in places where smoking is prohibited. By moving away from temptation, it will be easier for you to calm your cravings
Get a massage. Help yourself relax and get rid of muscle aches by treating yourself to a massage once in a while. The muscles in the neck can be especially tense !
By applying gentle pressure to the third eye and pressure points on the feet, you can also do wonders for your health and well-being.
Check your vitamin deficiencies. If you constantly feel tired or sluggish despite your lifestyle changes, your body might not be getting enough essential vitamins like vitamin D. All it takes is a simple blood test to find out. If you are deficient in vitamin D, you can improve symptoms by increasing your exposure to sunlight or taking dietary supplements [15] .
There are no clear studies that have confirmed the benefits of nutrient replacement, so it may not work for you.
The lack of B vitamins, antioxidants and magnesium can also cause you to feel tired.
Talk to your doctor about how you could increase your intake of nutrients you are lacking.
Improve your mental and emotional well-being
Reduce your stress . Stress is incredibly bad for your mental health, which is why you should commit to reducing your stress as often as possible.
Once you understand what is causing your stress, you can decide how you want to respond. In some cases, you may be able to avoid these triggers by distancing yourself from certain people or avoiding doing too many things at once.
If you can’t avoid triggers, consider managing your stress by doing yoga , tai chi , massage , or deep breathing exercises daily. Exercises, even simple ones like walking, can help reduce your stress.