words Alexa Wang
Since health is at the top of everyone’s mind right now, we thought it would be helpful to offer some tips to support you in developing healthier habits in the coming days, weeks, and months. Most people give up on their resolutions, but when your focus is on shifting the small things, they can make a big difference and stick around longer than a month or two. Making healthy choices doesn’t need to be scary or overwhelming. Here are some healthy habits you can adopt starting today.
Focus on Gut Health
Did you know that your immune system starts in the gut? Your stomach and intestinal health are critical for your overall health. Unless you’re eating a lot of sauerkraut and yogurt with live cultures, you need quality probiotic pills to help you out. Probiotics are known for balancing your gut bacteria, improving your focus and attention, improving sleep quality, and even reducing symptoms of intestinal challenges such as diarrhea and irritable bowel conditions.
Some studies even show that good probiotics can also improve heart health. And when taken during pregnancy probiotics are linked to a reduction in eczema and allergies in their children versus those who do not take probiotics.
Maintain Good Oral Health
Maintaining good oral health is essential for a healthy body. Oral health is linked to other chronic conditions such as Heart disease, Pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes, etc. There are also a number of problems associated with crooked teeth. They can make it difficult to chew your food properly, and they can also lead to other dental problems down the road. That’s why straightening teeth is not just about improving your appearance – it’s about keeping your mouth healthy and functioning properly. If you are looking for the best option for straightening teeth you can consider clear teeth aligners. In addition, teeth aligners are a more discreet option than braces, and they are removable, so you can take them out to eat and brush your teeth.
Drink Water All Day Long
If you’re not peeing hourly, then you’re probably not drinking enough water. You can easily fill a water bottle right now and work on drinking it throughout the day. Make sure you get around half your bodyweight in ounces of water daily for the best results. This means that a 200-lb woman would want to consume around 100 ounces of water a day. This is a guideline and can be increased or reduced a little depending on the climate you live in and your activity level.
Proper hydration reduces headaches, lessens hunger between meals, reduces joint pain, and can aid you in losing weight or building healthy muscles. Additionally, people who are well-hydrated have better focus and attention spans than those who are chronically dehydrated.
Incorporate Healthy Movement
Walking from your desk to the kitchen when you work from home probably won’t be enough activity. When you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, it’s important to take breaks to get in movement throughout the day. Some people love to go workout at the gym, but that’s not necessary to live a healthy life. Regular movement, however, is associated with people who are healthy. Set a timer and get up once an hour to move around for 5 minutes. Whether you go for a brisk walk, do a few jumping jacks, or march in place, these are all simple ways to get in healthy movement each day.
Sleep More Deeply
Want better health? Go to sleep. While you might be accustomed to falling asleep on the couch after you watch your favorite shows, these habits are doing nothing for your sleep quality. Get the best sleep of your life when you create nightly routines for bedtime. Turn off all technology (phones included) about an hour before bed. This ensures that the blue lights from the screens no longer impact your ability to fall asleep.
Next, dim the lights. When you’re preparing for bed, there is no reason to have every light on full blast. Take a hot shower, drink some warm decaffeinated tea, or do a quick Yoga routine to encourage sleepiness. Another important sleep tip is to sleep in the dark. Like really dark. It’s best if you sleep in a pitch-black room. So, look for ambient light outside or lights coming from your devices as they recharge at night.
Add More Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
We’re not going to tell you to take anything away, instead, we want to encourage you to add more in. The truth is that most people don’t eat enough fresh fruits and veggies, so we could all use some extra in our lives. Start the day with a piece of fruit at breakfast, even if you eat a donut. Add in some cut veggies with dip at lunch. Throw together a quick salad to eat alongside whatever you already enjoy at dinner. You’ll find yourself feeling more satisfied at mealtimes and throughout the day. Think of different options to eat with your snacks, and you’ll be on your way to building healthier habits one vegetable at a time.
