There are so many things we all need to accomplish each day. We need to work, cook, and clean, and then we have our familial and social obligations. It’s no wonder we rarely have time left for ourselves! Yet, there are several easy ways to incorporate head-to-toe health strategies into our day-to-day life.
Smart Exercise
We need to make time to work out. This requires becoming an expert at multitasking, and that’s okay. If you watch TV at night to unwind from work, do a workout while you enjoy your favorite shows. Or make time to socialize, and invite your friends to go on a jog or long walk. Look at your daily routine and see where you can add more movement. Taking the stairs over the elevator may not seem like much, but if you work or live upstairs, that’s multiple trips every day. Combine it with parking as far away from your destinations as possible, and walk quickly between the building and your car. Try to fit multiple increments of 10-minute bursts of exercise into your day so you can see maximum benefit.
Look After Digestion
You may have been hearing the term “microbiome” lately, but may not know what that means. It literally means small community but mainly refers to our gut and its health. The health of the gut plays a large role not only in our physical well-being, but our emotional wellness, too. In fact, bacteria in the stomach and intestines can be one factor in the development of depression. Making sure you have the right bacteria can help you digest your food and keep your immune system strong against disease and your emotional state balanced.
There are plenty of ways to improve the state of your gut, and many of them are natural. Probiotics are one such means of helping your digestion, thanks to its good bacteria. Eat fermented foods, such as yogurt, pickled vegetables, apple cider vinegar, or even miso. If you want fresh foods, try things like Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, cruciferous vegetables, or polenta. All of these help your stomach, but in different ways.
Get Deep Sleep
If you don’t have time to sleep well, you need to make time. Sleep is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Luckily, if you have a hard time sleeping, there are ways you can improve your odds of falling asleep quickly. You may want to be cozy at night, but you should try lowering your thermostat for a colder environment. Aim for something between 60-75 degrees. Make your room as dark as you can, as this will aid you not only in falling asleep, but staying asleep. During waking hours, try to get some sunlight, as exposing yourself to daylight keeps your body on a good sleep schedule. Also, don’t eat right before bed; digestion can actually keep you awake at night.
De-Stress Daily
Besides getting more sleep and eating for gut health, there are plenty of things you can do to take care of your emotional health. Stress may seem like a normal part of life, but it doesn’t need to be. Find a way to relax each day. Instead of getting your fourth cup of coffee, switch to green tea instead. You can start a meditation practice that works for your lifestyle such as guided meditation, imagery, or deep breathing. Even something as simple as listening to some mellow music can be an excellent means of unwinding.
If you’ve tried these strategies, and stress is still manifesting as anxiety, headaches, or nausea, it might be time to ask for help. Talk to your doctor about other ways to manage stress and anxiety, and about things you can do to counter their effects.
It’s a matter of priority. You need to make your own health and life your biggest focus. If you don’t take proper care of yourself, then you can’t give 100 percent at work or to your loved ones. It doesn’t take much; just add a few tweaks to your daily schedule. And given that your overall physical condition is a factor that contributes to eye health, making these changes to your lifestyle offers benefits you can see.
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