If you’ve been thinking about improving your health, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are a few things to key into if you’re ready to commit to a healthier lifestyle.
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Watch What Fuels Your Body
You’re probably savvy enough to have a general idea of what foods are good for you and which aren’t, but sometimes putting that knowledge into practice can be challenging. Using benchmarks like the 50% rule can help; 50% of your plate at each meal should be fruits and vegetables, and 50% of the grains you eat should be whole grains. It can also be helpful to remember that almost any type of food isn’t inherently unhealthy. For instance, the naturally-occurring sugars found in produce are needed to drive many of your body’s systems, while added sugars can cause a bevy of health issues.
Don’t overlook the role of hydration in keeping you healthy. Drinking water throughout the day can help with getting nutrients to your cells, preventing infections, keeping your organs in working order, and so much more. Remember that you don’t need to down just plain or flavored water, because coffee and tea count, too.
Eliminate Substances
Of course, you should pay attention to everything that’s going into your body, as almost anything you consume impacts your health in either a positive or negative way. Routine indulgence in substances like drugs and alcohol can be problematic, as overuse can lead to everything from respiratory and cardiovascular issues to kidney and liver damage. Cutting back may reduce such risks to your health, although if your usage is heavy then entering a program to detox for drugs or alcohol may be more beneficial. Cleansing your body of the toxins that have built up due to substance use can put you on the path toward a healthier lifestyle.
Make Sure To Move
Although almost everyone knows that being sedentary is unhealthy, many American’s still spend the majority of their waking hours either sitting or reclining. That’s why making an effort to move more each day is an important step in improving your overall wellness. While engaging in exercises like running, swimming, and working out will clearly get you moving, many people find it easier to build movement in throughout the day.
For starters, set a goal to get up and move around for at least 10 minutes out of every hour. You needn’t put on your jogging gear and head outdoors; simply pause what you’re doing and get up, even if you just do a bit of tidying around the house or put on a favorite song and dance. If you do this often enough, your body will begin to crave movement and you’ll feel motivated to move more often.
Improving your health and wellness is by no means easy, but it can be done if you take the first steps. By making sure you are eating right, addressing any substance use, and getting up and moving more, you’ll be taking positive actions toward creating a healthier lifestyle.
