Not everyone was born to be a super-triathlete that makes Rocky’s morning routine look like a cakewalk. People with that sort of lifestyle require years and years of dedicated training and self-control that is amazing to witness.
Even though these people may be the picture-perfect example of health and wellbeing, you don’t have to take their drastic measures in order to live a happy and healthy life. In fact, there are plenty of steps you can start today, right now, that will help you live a happy, healthier life.
Health Habits To Adopt
Walk On Your Breaks
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio exercise per week. Whether it’s at lunch, your morning break, or afternoon break, take a walk around or outside the office. If the weather isn’t permitting, take a walk up a few flights of stairs and then back down.
Your body craves movement and if you’ve been sitting in a chair all day, it’s best to make the most out of your short breaks here and there to stretch your legs.
Focus On Your Posture
Next time you walk by a mirror, have a look at your posture. Does your neck stick straight out? Are your shoulders hunched?
Your backbone is one of the most important parts of your body, and making sure it’s straight and in good shape is a way to ensure health over the rest of your body. Practice rolling your shoulders back or keeping a perfect posture against a wall.
Ditch Sugar
Sugar, even natural sugar, offers few to no benefits for your body. Taking an occasional piece of candy here and there isn’t going to wreck your body, but you should be limiting your sugar intake.
If you’re a soda drinker, think about removing it completely from your diet. While they may taste refreshing, caffeine dehydrates your body and sodas ruin your teeth and gums.
Develop a Sleep Routine
College was great, wasn’t it? You could stay up studying all night for a test then still have enough energy to go to a party later that night.
Now that you’re out of college, it’s time to stick to a solid sleep routine. Even though you may not believe it, your body needs 7-8 hours of sleep each night and sticking to a routine is the easiest way you can accomplish that. Pound it into your schedule and make sure you adhere to it.
Don’t Eat Late at Night
While studies are mixed on whether late-night eating contributes to weight gain, it’s proven that continued late-night eating is detrimental to your health.
Late-night eaters often seek out less nutritional items, such as chips or ice cream, instead of healthy alternatives. In addition, eating late at night contributes to indigestion or sleeping problems as your body is trying to work and digest food while going to sleep.
Visit the Doctor and Dentist Regularly
Even though most people only go to the doctor or dentist when they feel pain or a problem, you should be heading to both on a regular basis. Head in for a checkup at least once a year and make sure you’re visiting the dentist once every six months.
It’s better to have regular visits where they can catch any issues early instead of waiting and potentially becoming a bigger and more costly problem.
Drink Plenty of Water
Studies vary in how much water you should be drinking every day, but the most basic rule is the 8×8 rule, stating you should drink eight glasses of water every day.
Water helps with just about everything, from skin health to digestion. Drink a glass of water when you wake up in the morning and carry a water bottle around with you every day.
Limit Snacking
Can snacks be someone’s favorite food? That’s a debate for another day, but snacks can be both good and bad for your overall health.
Constant snacking during the day can lead to excessive weight gain, as your body isn’t sticking to a regular meal schedule. That’s not to say you should eliminate snacks altogether, but make sure you have pre-planned options ahead of time.
Mix some nuts and raisins together instead of opting for vending machine chips, or bring some carrots to work with you. Healthier snacks mean a healthier you.
