10 Easy Ways to Be Healthier

Photo byFarhad IbrahimzadeonUnsplash

Being healthy doesn’t have to be rocket science or painful. A healthier you is possible with some easy habits. Here are ten to get you on your way to healthy.

· Drink water. I have to confess that water is not my favorite beverage, but I did an experiment last week to see if it could affect me as much as I heard it could. I have been bloated and tired lately. I decided to drink nothing but water for a week, (except for morning coffee). I started my day drinking a whole glass of water. I drank several more glasses throughout the day and filled up my running bottle for my run.

At the end of day one I did not feel tired, I wasn’t hungry for my 3 o’clock snack, but I still felt bloated. By the end of the week, I lost 3 pounds, didn’t feel bloated, and had more energy.

I watched a documentary with Zack Efron and Darin Olien which explores the world of food called Down to Earth. It is fascinating and it’s on Netflix. In one episode, they learn about water. Did you know that purified water is not good for you? Water has to have minerals to be healthy for us.

· Eat more vegetables and fruit. Even if you don’t like many vegetables, the way you prepare them can change your mind. I didn’t like squash, but I grew some in my garden and cooked it with olive oil and garlic in a sauce pan and it was amazing.

I decided to start eating a more plant-based diet when I heard a doctor describing how harmful meat was to us. I still eat meat now and then, but I don’t have it very often. It is easy to make a salad with lots of vegetables. You can toss in peanuts for protein and have your favorite fruit for dessert. After a month of doing this, I noticed my complexion looked better. One yummy idea for a fruit dessert is to put a plate of pineapple in the microwave for 30 seconds and then dip the pieces in caramel sauce. I had this for the first time at a Disney restaurant.

· Move. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you stand up and move for about 30 minutes a day.

· Rest well. We should give our body and mind a chance to heal, so put down your phone or computer, turn off the television, and rest.

· Laugh. Laughter is a powerful medicine. My husband has a child’s laughter as his phone’s ringtone. It’s impossible not to smile when you hear it. Watch funny reels or spend some time with the people who make you smile.

· Go outside. There is energy in nature that can replenish your soul. Listen to all the sounds, watch what is happening around you, and breathe in all the scents.

· Check your attitude. Your attitude can affect everything so keep it positive. Your mental health has a connection to your physical health.

· Evaluate your health honestly. Take some time to think about where you are with your health. Could you improve anything, and what do you have to do to make those improvements?

· Ditch the excuses. Excuses are roadblocks to your success, and they are usually based in fear. You can be healthier, so start now.

· Do all of the above consistently. Consistency is the key to success. My amazing husband is stuck in a bad spiral. He starts working out slowly telling me he has to ease into it. He works out for 2 weeks then finds an excuse to stop for several weeks, and the circle begins again.