The impacts and effects of modern life can take their toll on our bodies. Today’s world is filled with change which often makes us feel stressed or anxious. We need to take charge of our mental and physical health.
CONTINUED EFFORT
Optimal health is not something you can work at and then tick off a checklist. It is a process that one has to tackle every day. Your health (both physical and mental) is a process that continually has to be worked on.
Being healthy has a lot to do with maintaining simple and consistent daily practices. There’s no need to adjust your entire life to harness the benefits of healthy living.
SIMPLE DAILY HACKS
Some basic adjustments to your regular habits might be all you need. To that, add a dose of commitment and dedication.
With these simple hacks, you should start to see results in no time. Try these hacks now!
EATING HABITS :
1. Cut down on food cravings
Enjoying treats or mood-enhancing snacks is one of life’s pleasures. But giving in to your cravings too often can lead to overdoing it.
You don’t have to totally cut out the nice stuff but instead, try to find things you can substitute.
For example, if you’re craving chocolate, one of the best ways to resist is by filling up on healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocados.
2. Eat thoughtfully
Try to be mindful when you eat, using awareness to enjoy food and to measure how full you are. It’s healthy to think about what you will eat before you even eat it. Though, it’s easy to avoid thinking about what you’re eating when you’re eating it.
SLEEPING HABITS:
1. Create a device-free sleeping space
Your phone is a mental distraction before bedtime. Screen light which is built into electronic gadgets like phones and laptops causes chemical changes in your brain. Melatonin (the hormone regulating sleep), can’t effectively be produced if one is exposed to short-wavelength blue light.
Update your phone’s settings so you do not receive notifications during sleeping hours. Try to spend at least 30 minutes before going to bed in a device-free environment. Do some reading or a crossword puzzle to try to relax the mind before bed.
2. Create a peaceful sleeping space
If you’re a light sleeper who’s affected by noise disturbances, or if you like the comfort of background noise, invest in a simple white noise machine. If you need a dark space for sleeping or are affected by outside light, invest in some blockout curtains, which can darken your sleeping space.
EXERCISE HABITS:
1. Walk around during phone calls
If you’re not meeting in person or over Zoom, try to walk around while you take calls. This can add to your daily step count. You could even take a stroll around the block, or walk around your own home while on calls.
2. Invest in a small weight
If you need something to do during your breaks throughout the day, try using a light dumbbell or kettlebell. Keep it near your desk and when you feel the urge for a little exercise you can do some curls, lateral raises, triceps extensions, or other simple exercises.
FOR THE MIND :
1. Practise meditation
Meditation is a very useful mental health practice. It can be daunting to newcomers but much hesitation comes from the idea that meditating requires a huge commitment. Studies have shown that meditating for 60 seconds per day has lasting neurological benefits.
2. Engage in social activity
Arrange to meet people in a social setting at least once a week. Even for someone who doesn’t get out much, this is an achievable goal.
Try to maintain this for a month and see how you start to feel. Meetup says that its group activities are an ideal way to meet others.
Remember that maintaining a good state of health requires consistent effort. If you are committed and work with these simple hacks, you should be able to see and feel a difference.
ALSO READ: Top 10 tips for being happy – every day!
