8 easy steps you can take to live a healthier life – by Barry White

Feeling run down and struggling to focus? With life so hectic in this day and age, so many people neglect their health without even realising it. However, there are some small steps you can take which will help to improve your mood, increase your energy levels and give you more spring in your step to do the things you love. Not only that, you’ll live longer with a lower risk of life-threatening diseases.

In this article, we are going to cover 8 easy steps you can take to start living a healthier life.

Don’t compromise on your water intake

Water is so important. Around 70 percent of our bodies are made up of it, so it’s safe to say it’s a major essential. You should be drinking 2-3 litres a day (more if you live in a hot climate!) for optimum health. By drinking plenty of water you’ll see a huge improvement in energy and mood.

Water boosts brain power. Struggling to focus at work or school? It may be simple dehydration. If you’re trying to reach a healthy weight, water helps the metabolism run more efficiently and flush out toxins. Lack of water can be the root cause of headaches, cramps, acne and brittle hair/nails. The best part about it is that water is the cheapest drink ever.

Keep a bottle on you wherever you go, rather than reaching for a sugary soda, and you’ll soon start to see the benefits. There are even apps out there that’ll track your water intake and remind you when you need to drink. To make water more appetising, some infuse it with fresh fruits and vegetables such as strawberry, lemon and cucumber. These days, there's no excuse not to stay hydrated.

Make smart food swaps

Red meat is really bad for you without moderation. By swapping just one daily serving of red meat for alternative protein, you could cut down your risk of heart disease and other illnesses significantly. There are really tasty alternatives, such as nuts, eggs, or even ‘fake’ vegetarian meat that tastes almost identical to the real thing. When it comes to carbohydrates, ditch the white for whole grain. Brown rice, bread and pasta taste just as good- and with less sugar content, they come with less risk of cancer. As hcg-injections.org have shown, there are so many smart food swaps you can make to improve your overall health with hardly any effort. Some examples include:

•    Swap mayo for spicy mustard.
•    Cut down sandwich carbs by making them open faced.
•    Use low cal frying spray as an alternative to oil.
•    Boil, bake or grill- don’t fry.
•    Snack on carrot and hummus rather than chips and dip.

Be a fibre fanatic

Fibre helps your digestive system process foods properly. Consuming the right amount can keep hunger pains at bay and make sure you’re satiated all day long. Because of this, fibre is a great aid if you’re trying to lose weight and avoid unhealthy snacking. You should aim for a minimum of 25g a day. Fruit and veg are really high in fibre- and healthy too. If you’re wanting something a little more luxurious, dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70-95 percent is great for increasing fibre- but still to just a few pieces.  

Challenge yourself

It’s easy to get stuck in the same routine. Eating processed ready meals, lazing about too often and not pushing yourself to learn seems to make life easier. But pushing yourself is the only way to grow as a person and improve overall vitality. Get up on a Sunday as challenge yourself to hit the gym. While it may be challenging at the time, you’ll feel so accomplished afterwards and the health benefits are amazing. Even leaving the house to have a brisk walk around the neighbourhood can do wonders for your body. Instead of picking the quick, easy options for food- dare yourself to cook a fresh, homemade meal or even come up with a diet plan. By advancing out of your comfort zone you will see your life improve.

Stand when you can

Working in a sedentary office job or sitting for too long can be negative for health. It is said that sitting for too long increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and early death. It can also cause too high blood pressure, obesity and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Sometimes sitting for long periods simply cannot be avoided, especially when it’s part of your job. Luckily, scientists have said that 60-75 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a day can counter the effects of prolonged sitting. If the option is available to you, there are many desks which electrically raise up and down allowing you to stand for periods of time whilst working. If you really do need to be sat down, take a break from sitting every 30 minutes to help ward off risks.

Eat foods you enjoy

Many think that healthy eating means eating boring, tasteless foods that they don’t enjoy. In fact, this isn’t the case at all. By depriving yourself of foods you love, you might end up hitting a wall and binge eating the foods you’ve avoided for so long. Eat foods that you enjoy in moderation if they are really unhealthy. By looking around online, there are plenty of recipes that are healthy without compromising great taste and satisfaction.

Handle stress

Stress can have a huge impact on our lives. Excess stress can lead to decreased work performance, low energy levels and can even bring on physical health conditions. It’s important to look after your mind just as much as your body, treating yourself to self-care and relaxation time. If you suffer from a mental health condition, do not hesitate to contact a health care professional to get your issues addressed. The mind is arguably your most important organ, so make sure you give it the love and attention it needs to thrive.

Enjoy the experience

Many people find living a healthier life a chore and suffer through every moment of healthy eating and regular exercise. Just enjoy it! Once you’re into the routine of living better, it will stop being a struggle and start simply being how you live. By looking after your body and mind, you will find life much more enjoyable. Don’t see it as a burden, see it as living your best life. By having a positive mindset, many issues you may face in life can be eradicated pretty quickly.

 

Take the Challenge