We tend to think of good health as either something we have or are hoping to regain. The truth is that good health in the mind and body is an ongoing process that requires our devotion to create healthy habits that turn into a healthy lifestyle.
Here are 8 ways you can start implementing healthy-living practices into your daily life:
1. Don’t Skip Breakfast. You’ve heard it before, but breaking the overnight “fast” is what your morning meal is about. A study from the
American Heart Association shows that breakfast-eaters tend to have lower rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, and cholesterol levels. Additionally, they found that all the organs have clocks and the body’s metabolism is different throughout the day, which makes it better timing to provide nutrients to the organs earlier in the day than later. Even if you have
busy mornings, preparing a simple yet nutritious breakfast everyday can help you create a routine for better health. Be sure to put thought into what foods your body can readily utilize for brain power and body energy.
2. Prepare Your Food With Mindfulness. The energy you put into preparing your food comes out in what you eat. If you cook when you’re angry, then angry energy transfers to your food. If you want to feel good and have good energy, prepare your food mindfully with gratitude and with the intention of healing your body. This applies to each and every meal. Enjoy the process of preparing healthy foods. Slicing fresh fruits, chopping fresh vegetables and other simple tasks can be “Zen-like” and feed your mind and soul as well as your body. When you prepare your food with mindfulness and loving energy, you tend to appreciate it more and even
eat less!
3. Don’t Multitask. Whatever you are doing, enjoy the singular process of it.
New studies are causing us to rethink the effectiveness of multi –tasking, which splits your attention and fragments your thoughts. Allow yourself the luxury of slowing down and being in the present moment with one task at a time. This can help you get things done faster and not overcrowd your brain and stress you out.
4. Drink Water. This tip never goes off the list, yet it’s benefits may sometimes be overlooked. Not drinking enough water can lead to kidney stones, bad digestion, headaches, dry skin, lack of energy, and more. Since water connects every cell in our bodies, keeping your body well hydrated contributes to proper digestion, circulation, brain function, and
body temperature. It also helps with weight loss since it helps you
feel fuller longer without adding any additional calories. Health experts recommend at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day for your body and brain to optimally function and stay healthy.
5. Keep Moving. Get some exercise so that blood and energy circulates well through your muscles and joints to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart problems. Moving your body also boosts your mood as it raises your “feel-good hormones” of dopamine and serotonin and lowers your levels of the stress hormone called cortisol. Try to go for a walk outside for 15-20 minutes per day, but if you can’t be outside, try to do
1-minute of exercise every hour. This can be as simple as running in place or doing squats for one minute straight with your full effort. Doing these exercises can get your blood pumping and energy up if you have to be indoors at work or at home all day!
6. Get a Good Night’s Sleep. It’s no question that your body needs restful sleep to recharge itself. Observing your biological patterns of activity followed with rest contributes to better overall health. Experts from
Northwestern Medicine recommend about seven hours of sleep each night and to have a regular sleep schedule. This is because going to bed and waking up at the same time every day affects your mental sharpness, performance, emotional well-being, and energy level. So, maintaining a consistent routine of going to sleep and waking up can improve your quality of rest and affect the day ahead. If it’s hard for you to fall asleep at night due to stress or bothersome thoughts, try this
toe-tapping exercise that helps to calm your brainwaves and put your mind into a relaxed state.
7. Recharge in Nature. Just as your body needs nourishment from the foods you eat, your mind needs nourishment from natural settings. Sunshine, fresh air, greenery, blossoms and animals are gifts from our world that naturally refresh and stimulate our senses, keeping us in touch with our source and the best that life has to offer. A great way to
recharge and relax while in nature is to find a quiet space where you can just listen to all the sounds around you. Whether it's the breeze in the trees, or the waves crashing in the ocean with seagulls flying above, by tuning in to the natural sounds around you, you can be in the present moment and recharge by quieting and calming your mind.
8. Connect With Yourself. Most of us tend to live our lives looking to the outside for happiness and become distracted from the happiness and worth we hold inside. If we practice to turn our focus inward, we can see our needs, wants, dreams, and true nature more clearly. When you’re able to self-reflect, then you can learn that the causes of your problems may not be outside influences like relationships, but in how connected you are to yourself. A way to connect within is through practicing meditation and positive affirmations that allow you to notice your feelings, thoughts, and emotions. By taking the time for yourself and paying attention to those things, you can learn to find true happiness and acceptance within. A great resource that features detailed meditations and principles for connecting with yourself to find answers to your problems is the book
CONNECT: How to Find Clarity and Expand Your Consciousness with Pineal Gland Meditation written by meditation expert, Ilchi Lee.
Good health in the body and mind is an ongoing process that requires your attention, and following these tips may be easier said than done. But, if you start small and try to make little changes in your daily routine to improve your health, you can grow those changes into habits that will last a lifetime. Enjoy!