If you’re anything like me, you love feeling healthy, but don’t really care about dieting, joining a gym, or buying expensive organic health food products. Fortunately, there are simple, enjoyable ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle without it adding any extra stress or expense to your life!
What’s even better is that these things are no secret. People have been living this way for centuries. But in our high-tech, super-scientific world, we forget how simple being healthy can be. So here is a little reminder for you!
Hydrate
First of all, hydrate. Most people don’t realize how much their body depends on water. Most of the time, people don’t even realize when they are dehydrated and tend to blame the consequences on other things. They feel drained of energy and blame a long day at work. They get headaches and blame it on stress.
But the truth is, a well-hydrated body has more energy, doesn’t get sick nearly as often, thinks better, and moves better. Say goodbye to headaches, lethargy, and crankiness with a well-watered body!
Get Moving
This is code for exercising. If you are into sports or exercise, have fun doing whatever you love to do. But for those of you who really aren’t into that kind of thing, there are a few things you can do.
First, learn to love a sport. Maybe you just haven’t given sports or exercise a fair chance. Try running, swimming, biking, ice skating, shooting hoops, throwing a Frisbee, or rock climbing.
Second, if sports still aren’t your thing, just work in some extra movement into your day. Everyday activities including cooking, cleaning, gardening, shopping, and walking stairs all burn a good handful of calories. Even replacing a TV show for playing cards or darts will increase your calorie burning. Just get moving, and you’ll see your health improve.
Obviously, getting in a good workout every day will take some planning and self-discipline, but once you’ve got it set into habit, you’ll fall in love with your toned body, your upgraded battery of energy, and your improved health.
Eat Real Food
This doesn’t mean you have to eat disgustingly boring natural foods. It just means eat something fresh rather than something from a box or can. Naturally, your greens, fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole-wheats, are especially good for you, but restricting your diet to these staples may just depress the health right out of you.
No need to go crazy in any direction. Just try to eat fresh and homemade foods that make your body feel good.
Embrace the Zzzzs
Sleep should be your best friend. Embrace it! Love your pillow, love your bed. Get a nice 7-8 hours a night and you’ll feel the difference. And generally speaking, most people get the best rest between 10 PM and 6 AM.
Just make sure you get a regular, solid night’s rest and you’ll feel so good, you won’t believe it. A solid 8 hours of sleep will even burn around 360 calories!
And remember – your friends, family, and co-workers will appreciate it too. Well-rested people are happier, healthier, more productive, friendlier, and overall better people. So get your rest and watch everybody start to fall in love with you.
Interact with Other People
An incredible stress reliever (which equals better health) is socializing. You don’t have to run around to every stranger and strike up awkward conversations or hang out in bars all night trying to meet new people. All you’ve got to do is get a little face time with your family and friends each day.
Isolation, self-absorption, and technology-only relationships are not good for human health. This shouldn’t be hard to do – even if you live alone. If you do live with family or friends, eat dinner together. Cut down your TV watching time by half-an-hour and play a game instead. If you live alone, talk to coworkers at lunch, or make an effort to get to know your neighbors.
The possibilities are endless!
Live Like a Human Again
Living a happy, healthy life really isn’t that complicated. Our bodies are not pieces of technology that need expensive cords, add-ons, accessories, or tools to function ideally. Just give us our basic food, water, rest, exercise, and companionship, and we’re good!
So follow these not-so-secret health tips and enjoy a long, healthy life!