Lifestyle Changes That Put Your Health Back into Your Hands

by Reggie Moore Professional writer and proto entrepreneur

Sometimes life feels like watching a bunch of things happen to you and those around you, and it can be frustrating when things are generally outside of your control. That fact makes it all the more important for you to think about the things you can control and want to change, and to act on those desires. While some people are unfortunate and are born with difficulties, all people can to an extent improve their daily life, overall lifespan, and ability to handle stress by taking control of things in their lives. A healthy mind and body are vital for longer and better quality of life. There are many lifestyle changes that a person can make to ensure improvements in health, and this article seeks to explore that idea.

When someone wants to get healthier, making small changes will reap more benefits than a complete lifestyle makeover. Below are some of the lifestyle changes to consider making in your life to put your health in your hands.

Diet Changes

It’s easy to tune out when someone says “diet,” but it is so true and impactful that this list would be hollow without it. Controlling what one eats is vital for better health, and it is especially important because different diets affect different people in different ways. Generally speaking, If someone eats greasy and fatty foods, by reducing the amount of grease, fats, and sugars you can improve almost all aspects of your health. One way is to cook for themselves at home so as to balance the amount of salt, spices, and sugar put in food – once again putting things back into your hands.

Another way is to go to the market to get fresh fruits and vegetables full of the needed nutrients. A person can also grow vegetables in their garden. The internet is also a good source for simple, healthier recipes, saving time and energy. Also, storing more healthy food options in the house will reduce the chances of eating unhealthy food.

Incorporating water into the diet is beneficial for hydration. Drinking water every day adds energy and motivation to the body. To enhance the water-drinking experience, add a lemon to it. Other benefits of water include smoother skin, weight loss, and better-looking hair.

More healthy diet changes are eating healthy fats (such as avocado and fish), eating calcium-rich foods, checking the number of calories consumed, and eating whole grains. Often times, major dietary problems (like food allergies) can have big impacts on your overall health, so paying attention to how you feel after eating certain foods can help clue you in on what your body is telling you to no longer eat. Consider targeted fasting of particular foods and monitor your health and comfort after reintroducing them to your diet.

Exercise

Another easy answer to “check out” for, exercising keeps a person’s body prepared. There are many methods to add physical activity into your life, and you can choose the most comfortable technique for yourself. A person can use the stairs instead of the elevator and walk instead of using a car or riding a bicycle. If your knees are bad, you can swim or use an elliptical for low-impact exercise.

Exercising will keep a person fresh and energized daily. If you want more complex workout routines, someone can do weightlifting, running, swimming, or cardio. Also, one can consult a personal trainer to keep them accountable.

Yoga is also a great way to exercise to improve flexibility. Get into team workout groups to keep motivation levels high. Exercising regularly increases endorphin and serotonin production, which improves the mood, aids in losing weight, strengthens the muscles, reduces the risk of getting illnesses, enhances natural oxidant production, improves memory, and improves a person’s brain health. Exercise of the body does more to keep your brain working than any tests, puzzles, or games can. Keep that in mind the next time you wonder if you can keep up with the long, mental tasks that wear you out.

Mental Health Checkups

Having a healthy mind is important. Sleeping for seven to nine hours every night keeps a person healthy and gives the body the time to help it sort out and cope with stressful situations. Finding ways to get enough sleep will pay major health dividends.

A healthy mind also aids in stress management. Activities such as breathing exercises, meditation, and practicing mindfulness are vital in reducing stress. Making time for rest balances the blood pressure and heart rate and allows the mind to heal. If a person is struggling with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, going for therapy helps.

Positive thinking and using positive affirmations are great habits for stress management. This can be done through journaling, monitoring negative thoughts, and practicing gratitude. When a person schedules their day, it is easy to maintain productive habits in their lives. Also, focus on important things and doing everything that needs to be done will get easier.

Keep Your Vitamin D Levels High

Sun exposure, vitamin D supplements, and vitamin D-rich foods like salmon and tuna are excellent sources of vitamin D. the benefits of vitamin D include strengthening bones, reducing inflammation, improving the immune system, making teeth firmer, losing weight, treating hypertension, and battling depression.

Vitamin D reduces the risk of several cancers, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. This is because vitamin D promotes cell differentiation, reduces the growth of cancer cells, and lessens tumor formation.

Work-life Balance

Balancing a career and personal life makes a person healthy. A person can manage their time to get time to relax, evaluate their priorities at home and work, delegate tasks so as not to overschedule themselves, and detach from work. According to the Texas Center for Diagnostics and Surgery, recreational activities and vacations can have major impacts on your physical strength, immune system, relationships, and mental health.

A great strategy is working from home when needed and practicing self-care. People need to prioritize spending time with their friends and family because social capital is important. Volunteering increases life satisfaction, lowers stress, and puts your mind off work.

Giving the Body Time to Heal

If a person is sick, they should rest so that the body can heal. To heal faster, a person can also fast flush out toxins and avoiding overeating to prevent overworking the digestive system.

When you make healthy lifestyle changes, one can avoid things like surgery. Before making any of these changes, a person should check with a credentialed health professional to avoid getting worse or hurting themselves. Also, consistently making small improvements is the best way to go. Having a reward system will increase motivation levels too.