Since I am getting back into a fitness routine, it seemed a good time to post some related material. Welcome Diamond, who is a health enthusiast and cyber-security blogger and her seven tips for a healthier, happier you.
7 Amazing Wellness Tips to Make Yourself Healthier
Becoming healthier is a journey we should all be constantly a part of. No matter what walk of life you come from, there’s always room to work on your health. Doing so has many benefits:
- Improved focus
- Greater productivity
- Reduced illness
In general, feeling good is a state we have to strive for; it won’t just happen on its own. That’s why there are some changes you should consider making in your life. Some of them you may already be doing and if so, great.
Either way, check out this list to see where you can stand to improve. Every little bit counts, and there’s no better day to start than today.
- Cut Down on Added Sugars
Most of us are guilty of this problem: too many added sugars in our diet. From morning till bed time, we eat cereals, coffee, bread and just a general cornucopia of different foods that have sugars and syrups added for flavor.
But sugar is one of the biggest enemies of health. Since 2010, we’ve had fairly conclusive research that drinking sugary beverages contributes to poor health and the development of diabetes. Other research also suggests a link between poor heart health and consumption of processed sugars (typical of what’s added to everyday foods).
Your best bet is to stick with basic ingredients. See below for more on that.
- Shop in the “Horseshoe”
A great place to start looking for healthier alternatives to the sugary items mentioned above is in the “horseshoe” of the grocery store. Generally, that refers to everything along the outer edge of the store, as this is where fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, and meats tend to be stored.
While staying on the edges isn’t the gospel of shopping, it definitely improves your chances of encountering unadulterated foods. Of course, you'll have to watch out for processed meats (they also tend to be on the outer rim) and flavored milks/creamers, but it’s generally easier to find healthy ingredients and foods there.
If you’re looking for ingredients with less pesticide (assuming you either can’t afford all organic or just don’t have access to it where you live; a problem I face daily), you might consider shopping with an app like Dirty Dozen. It’s a good app for identifying fresh produce that has less pesticide residue.
But take its suggestions with a grain of corn; papayas, which are on the “Clean 15” list are known to be GMO crops, so be aware if that’s an issue (interestingly enough, sweet corn, also on the list, generally is not GMO).
- Prepare Your Own Meals
Armed with your healthy pick of ingredients, you can further improve your health by preparing your own meals. Doing so ensures you know exactly what’s going into the food and it prevents you from consuming as many processed ingredients such as those found in big chain eateries.
You can also save money and just generally become closer to what keeps you going each day. Understanding how food is prepared and how to preserve the nutrition (such as not overcooking foods or continually reheating leftovers) will help you live a cleaner, healthier life.
If time is an issue, you may want to consider investing in a slow cooker or pressure cooker. We use a pressure cooker at home and it cuts down on the number of pots and pans while reducing cook times significantly.
- Improve Sleep Conditions
A good night’s sleep is certain to improve anyone’s livelihood. The trick is setting your schedule and room up around providing a rejuvenating sleep. Owning a quality bed is obviously a good investment, but you should consider some other basic steps:
- Go to sleep while the clock still reads p.m.
- Remove sources of blue light while you sleep, such as TVs, LED display lights or other electronics (a piece of tape over a bright cable box light can make a big difference)
- Only use your bed for sleeping; reserve other activities for other rooms if possible
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as it is less than ideal for your spine
You want to be conscious of your diet before bed as well. Consuming sugar or caffeine before bed can reduce the quality of your sleep and may contribute to grogginess in the morning. Stick with light plant-based foods before bed and avoid eating less than an hour before you sleep. Keep your room cool and dark; a programmable thermostat can help.
- Exercise Early
Going to bed early is important, but getting up early and moving right away is also a valuable part of any daily routine. Early exercise helps awaken both your mind and metabolism to prepare you for the rest of the day. This is especially true if you work in an office or at home.
Starting early also provides you with more daylight to get things done, which is something your body needs. Your circadian rhythm is based largely on the light and dark cycle, so you’re less likely to feel tired if you start strenuous activity early and more likely to sleep better if you’ve done your workout earlier rather than later.
- Track Your Fitness and Diet
With the rise of devices such as Pebble and Fitbit, it’s never been easier to keep track of your activity, and you really should. It will help you determine whether or not you’ve been too sedentary and, in the case of food, can help you find out what critical nutrients are lacking in your diet.
Just be careful what apps you use; some apps may connect to public WiFi, which can put you at risk for data theft. Use a VPN (a type of security app) to navigate around this problem, as described in this review by Secure Thoughts.
- Train Your Mind
Having a strong mind is essential for maintaining a strong body; there are a number of ways you can achieve this goal, but none of them are quick. To keep your brain from turning to mush as you grow older, you’ll want to take interest in something that takes a long time to master. Learning a foreign language, for instance, can improve your vocabulary and help stave off mental decline.
Another activity that’s both enjoyable and healthy for the brain is learning to play a musical instrument. Be it a flute, cello or something else, the physical and mental skill required to play music will keep you sharp. It can also be very enjoyable and could become a very social experience.
What are you doing to make your life healthier and happier? Tell us what works for you.
About the Author: Diamond is a health enthusiast and cybersecurity blogger. She writes on a variety of topics, including how changes in technology and the food supply affect our health and what we should do about it.
