3 Small Changes for a Leaner, Healthier You

Health crazes come and go, but one thing that never changes is the fact that people will always be looking for quick, convenient ways to inject a little extra “health” into their busy lifestyles. A lot of jobs nowadays, especially office jobs, are very sedentary meaning that people just aren’t getting enough exercise. Combine this with the commonality of cheap, processed foods, and the nation’s outlook on general health is pretty bleak.

No matter what dietary fads or quick-fix health trends are in fashion, though, there are some things that will always make a difference for the better. ‘Detox’ teas and green smoothies might have claims to make you leaner, but the oldest tricks in the book are often a lot simpler, a lot easier, and a lot more certain to work than you might think.

Read on to find out 3 small changes you can make in order to live a healthier life…

1. Drink more water

You’ve probably heard this one time and time again, but there’s a reason for it: making an effort to drink more water every day simply works. Our bodies are around 60% water, and that makes this one liquid absolutely essential for our wellbeing.

There are plenty of reasons to try and fit more water into your daily life. First of all, even mild dehydration can decrease your energy levels and cause reductions in memory and brain performance, as well as giving you some pretty nasty headaches. By drinking more water, you can ensure that your body is performing at its optimum level.

Aside from this, you can mitigate some unpleasant medical conditions by drinking more water. It’s well known that hangovers are caused by dehydration, so drinking a glass of water between drinks is a great way to avoid them. But aside from self-inflicted conditions such as this, water can also relieve constipation, especially in people who don’t usually drink enough water. And finally, water may help to treat kidney stones, which are clumps of mineral crystal buildup in the urinary system. The increase in fluid can dilute these crystals, and there is a little evidence which suggests that more water can decrease the risk of stones forming in the first place.

One of the biggest selling points for drinking more water, however, is that it could help you to lose weight by increasing your metabolic rate. In fact, half a liter of water can increase metabolism by 24-30% for 1.5 hours. Also, drinking cold water half an hour before a meal seems to be the most effective method for using water to lose weight.

It’s generally recommended to drink eight glasses (of 8 ounces) every day, which equates to about 2 liters. It sounds a lot more difficult than it is – just invest in a handy water bottle and you’ll feel healthier in no time!

2. Squeeze in some exercise

Everybody knows that physical exercise is vital to a healthy lifestyle. However, some people feel that they are too busy to fit in a gym session (P.S. you’re probably not – one hour working out is about 6% of your day, and you don’t even have to do a full hour), while others are worried about the costs of gyms these days.

And sure, maybe hitting the gym four days a week isn’t your thing, but it’s still important to get that activity in. You could try doing 10 squats, 10 push-ups and 10 sit-ups every morning or every evening, or you could do these in the ad breaks while you’re watching your favorite show. Then there’s the age-old tricks such as making sure you take the stairs instead of the elevator, or starting to cycle to work.

Ever heard of NEAT? This acronym refers to Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, which means the amount of energy you expend doing day-to-day things. You burn calories just walking around, standing up more, and doing your shopping. Mundane tasks such as these are easy ways to increase your metabolic rate and look leaner.

In other words, just by being more active – not necessarily hitting the gym – you can start to lose weight and become healthier. Yes, it’s really that simple!

3. Try CBD Oil for a Healthier You

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the active compounds found within the cannabis plant. These compounds are known as cannabinoids, but unlike its infamous cousin THC, CBD does not have any intoxicating properties, meaning users of CBD-infused products (such as oils, tinctures, or edibles) will not experience any ‘high.’

There are many ways to take CBD oil nowadays, with the market growing at a rapid pace. CBD oils are the most common, and many people have begun to take them as a daily supplement. It’s very easy to add this to your routine, as all you need to do is place a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue, hold it for 60 seconds or so, and then swallow. However, capsules are also available which make it even simpler to take CBD.

But why should you take CBD in the first place? Well, it turns out that CBD could have a number of potential health benefits. Studies are still being carried out into exactly what CBD is capable of, but the evidence so far is pretty promising.

For example, it has been suggested that CBD could help with mental wellbeing. A study conducted by the Departments of Psychology and Cellular and Physiological Sciences at the University of British Columbia found that endocannabinoids (the cannabinoids our body produces naturally) are essential in stress adaptation. Since endocannabinoids are so important for regulating our stress levels, using phytocannabinoids like CBD could be a good way to regulate our stress levels when our body is struggling to cope.

Furthermore, CBD has been shown to be a good potential sleep aid. In a study by MH Chagas et al., conducted at the University of Sao Paulo, the effects of CBD on sleep were tested on rat models. Male Wistar rats were separated into four groups that were given 2.5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg of CBD, or a placebo. The study found that CBD administration increased total sleep time, with the 10mg and 40mg groups showing the largest improvement in sleep. This could be great news for sufferers of insomnia, as it could mean that sleep is achievable without the prescription of intense pharmaceutical drugs.

A healthy lifestyle is related to a variety of factors. It has been shown that high levels of stress and lack of sleep can both lead to weight gain, which is obviously undesirable and can cause negative health effects in its own right. If you want to be leaner and healthier, then CBD could be a good avenue to try. Not only could it help you sleep better and achieve better mental clarity, but there are also studies into other positive effects, including a potential to curb your appetite. In short, CBD seems to be a great way to promote general well being.

Final Thoughts on Leading a Healthier LifeStyle

All in all, there are plenty of ways to better your lifestyle and become a healthier version of yourself. And there are many incentives to do so, including an extended life expectancy and just feeling better and a lot more capable every day.

While many companies will try to sell you diet pills and exercise plans for a small fortune, most of these “quick fixes” will only have temporary effects. If you want to lead a healthy lifestyle, you need to find a sustainable routine. Luckily, there are several things you can do very easily to lead a healthier lifestyle, including drinking more water, doing a little more exercise, and even taking CBD oil. By making these small changes, you could see results in no time.