Life is busy, right? There’s always something going on, and for many people, their health gets pushed aside. But it’s not that difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Here are four tips to get you on the right track again.
1. Eat Better
Marketers created the term superfood to define several food types. While it’s not recognized as a scientific group, some factors go into calling them ‘super,’ and all of them are exceptionally good for a person’s health.
A superfood is generally packed with nutrients and is light on calories. Therefore, only some food types considered healthy fall into this group. Here are three that are worthy of the title:
Green Leafy Vegetables
First on most dieticians’ lists for healthy foods are green leafy vegetables. They’re packed with essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs, like A, C, K, folate, calcium, iron, and magnesium. They also contain antioxidants, and many are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Green leafy vegetables are a high source of fiber, especially beneficial for people with gluten intolerance.
Kale, spinach, and Swiss chard are the three vegetables with the highest vitamin and mineral content.
Fatty Fish
Don’t be confused by the word ‘fat.’ It refers to the fatty acids contained in these sea creatures, which are rich in omega-3, needed for heart health and better brain function. The human body can’t naturally produce these, so they must be consumed, and fatty fish is one of the highest sources.
Tuna, mackerel, salmon, and sardines are the top four in this category.
Avocados
Avocados, considered fruits because they grow on a tree, are packed with vitamins and fiber but contain one more secret ingredient: excellent levels of healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL).
An advantage of adding avocados to any diet is that they make you feel full faster, assisting with weight management.
2. Give Yourself Some Me Time
You spend a massive chunk of your time answering to other people. Whether it’s a boss, spouse, children, or grandchildren, others are forever putting demands on you. It’s essential for your own good health to take time out and give yourself some well-deserved ‘me time.’ Do this, and you can be the master of your own Zen. Here are three ways you can achieve this:
Schedule Time Out
Taking physical time out from the demands of others is vital to mental health. Make sure to schedule time in your calendar for you and you alone. Use this time however you choose. Ensure nobody else can interrupt you, which may even mean switching off your smartphone for a while.
Pamper Yourself
Looking good means feeling good. Let’s face it: Los Angeles is the home of beautiful people, and it feels like there’s a salon on every street corner. Men and women equally choose to wax, bleach, color, soak, and a multitude of other beauty treatments. Even if it’s as simple as getting a 30-minute foot massage, your body and inner self will thank you for it.
Play a Game on Your Phone
Have you ever wondered why you get a thrill whenever you beat the next level of Candy Crush? When you win at a game you’re playing, your brain releases dopamine, creating a positive feeling. The more games you win, the better you’ll feel. For an even bigger rush, why not visit any of the online casinos in California and place a bet on one of your favorite table or slot games?
3. Exercise Regularly
Sure, every doctor tells you to diet and exercise, but think of it this way: would they all recommend this if there wasn’t some merit to it? The recommended amount isn’t much; according to the Mayo Clinic, 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week suffices. So that’s around three sessions a week of 50 minutes each or five sessions of 30 minutes each.
That’s not that unrealistic, even in a busy schedule. What can you do in 30 minutes? Here are some suggestions:
Brisk Walk
You don’t need to be a runner or even a jogger to get your moderate aerobic workout. Brisk walking — around three miles an hour — will do the job. To get an idea of how fast that is, if you can hold a conversation during the walk, that’s perfect, but if you can sing, you’re a little too slow.
Start with a five-minute warm-up — a light walk but swinging your arms and legs. Then, do 20 minutes of brisk walking and cool down for the final five minutes with some light stretching.
Swim Laps
Swimming is an excellent form of cardio because it uses more muscles than walking, including better lung activity. Once again, you don’t need to set any speed records; whatever feels comfortable is your level. Start with a slow stroke for five minutes, then 20 minutes at your preferred pace, and then a slow final five minutes.
4. Everything in Moderation
Here’s the one that ties everything together: Moderation is the key to a healthy lifestyle. You don’t need to add kale to every meal, but eat it as often as possible.
Don’t schedule too much me time so that you neglect your responsibilities; that goes for playing games on your phone. Set limits.
As for exercise, nobody is expecting you to run a 25-mile marathon. The suggested five 30-minute activities per week are plenty.
A Healthy Lifestyle Can Be Yours
It’s pretty straightforward to make minimal changes to your lifestyle to promote better health.
A proper diet is crucial; adding superfoods like green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, and avocados will provide higher sources of vitamins and minerals.
‘Me time’ is crucial in today’s fast-paced world. Scheduled time out, pampering yourself, or even playing games on your phone can contribute to mental health.
Exercise, like diet, is just as important, and a few sessions a week of moderate activity is all that’s required.
Lastly, do all these things in moderation, and your new healthy lifestyle is complete.
Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash
