Break your routine: 10 tips for healthier living
All it takes is a few small changes in your daily life to increase your quality of life and give you a moment of well-being.
Giving up harmful habits, such as not getting enough sleep, eating poorly and putting off a visit to the gym until tomorrow, can seem difficult. The good news is that all it takes is a few small changes to your daily routine to lead a healthy and peaceful life. Check out our tips for getting started today:
1. Put change at the heart of your life plan
To be effective, change requires a great deal of willpower. It's time to think about rehabilitating your routine: like developing healthy lifestyle habits. Before bedtime, for example, try to plan your schedule for the next day by adding different things that are good for you, such as developing good eating habits at lunchtime for a balanced diet or including activities that stimulate the body and mind. Why give yourself a five minute massage or some do light stretching during your breaks? Try to prioritize your quality time: set times for these activities, even if it's not for very long, until they become part of your routine. And allow yourself some flexibility, if necessary. Remember, you decide what you do with your time.
2. Become aware of your body
Respecting your limits and knowing what's good for your own body are key to leading a healthy life. Being aware of your body helps you find the right posture, whether at home or at work, and helps you avoid illness and pain.
3. Plan a balanced diet
Setting aside a day to organise your food for the week is an excellent way to avoid slipping up when you get tired. To make your life easier, choose pre-cooked or frozen foods, preferably home-cooked, such as broccoli, cauliflower, soups and braised meats. When you get home from work, you've already organised most of the menu and you're much more likely to enjoy a healthy meal!
4. How about a food diary?
It is recommended that you consult a general practitioner at least once a year for a check-up and to keep your health up to date. Blood tests allow your doctor and nutritionist to identify possible vitamin or iron deficiencies, for example, not to mention other types of changes, and to help you adjust your diet as needed. A dermatological consultation also helps to take care of your skin. This way you take care of yourself inside and out.
5. Up-to-date health check-up
It is recommended that you consult a general practitioner at least once a year for a check-up and to keep your health up to date. Blood tests allow your doctor and nutritionist to identify possible vitamin or iron deficiencies, for example, not to mention other types of changes, and to help you adjust your diet as needed. A dermatological consultation also helps to take care of your skin. This way you take care of yourself inside and out.
6. Make exercise a priority
Physical activity is essential for staying in shape. Try to start with a daily 15-minute walk: use this time to clear your mind of problems while you walk. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150 minutes of physical activity per week, with light to moderate intensity. That's just 20 minutes a day.
7. Reduce stress
It's important to find activities that help you reduce your anxiety level, such as meditation and yoga, because stress can be very harmful to your health and can lead to insomnia, irritability and even weight gain.
8. Get good quality sleep
Lack of sleep can cause various ailments such as chronic fatigue, a weak immune system, memory loss and stress. Set up a routine that gets your body used to a healthy sleep routine: turn off the lights and keep electronic devices away from your bed (including tablets, digital e-readers, phones and computers), as well as light-up watches, as these devices stimulate the brain. Get used to going to bed earlier, drink a calming herbal tea (with camomile for example) and gradually switch your body off from the stresses of everyday life to transport you peacefully to a restful night's sleep.
9. Take care of yourself
Taking care of yourself is good for body and mind, and it goes way beyond mere pampering. Loving yourself and taking care of yourself will make you feel good, help you think more clearly and even reduce anxiety. Take advantage of your time in the shower to relax, exfoliate and moisturise your body, not forgetting those areas that need more attention such as feet, knees, elbows, hands, neck and lips. Include a moment of meditation in your routine, it will improve your sleep and you will soon see the benefits.
10. Look on the bright side of life
There's nothing better than having a positive mental attitude when it comes to leading a healthy life and managing the day-to-day: when you're in a good mood you feel better and you produce more endorphins, a relaxing hormone. And what's more, endorphins increase the likelihood that you'll be in a good mood - and the better your mood, the better you feel. Endorphins also control blood pressure and improve sleep.
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