Health Upp If you’re on a quest to be healthier and happier, you’re in good company! In fact, a study showed that the top three New Year’s resolutions center around health and wellness. Given the fact that living a healthy lifestyle is hugely beneficial yet somewhat challenging for many of us to achieve, it isn’t surprising that it’s one of the biggest aspirations among adults. In this guide, we’ll go over a few small but impactful health and fitness tips that could help you get healthier without a ton of time, money or effort.
1. Take a heart health supplement
No matter how healthy your diet, you’ll never be able to optimize it quite as well as supplements can. Integrating heart health and fitness supplements into your daily routine is a great way to complement your heart-healthy diet.
2. Exercise in the morning
Regardless of what time of day you do it, exercise is excellent for bolstering your overall wellness. But research indicates that you may get some extra benefits out of doing your workout in the morning. The best part about sweating first thing in the morning is that you’re less likely to be distracted while you’re doing it, which means you’re more likely to stay on track and not abandon your workout halfway through.
3. Skip the energy drinks
As good as they are at keeping us alert, energy drinks are often full of sugar and unhealthy artificial ingredients. You can still ward off the fatigue, by taking healthy energy supplements packed with all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to stay peppy and alert all day long.
4. Try “fun” workouts
If you’re a person who has long struggled with enjoying exercise, don’t fret. There are lots of fun workout routines out there that will be enjoyable enough that you keep doing them each day. Whether it is playing a virtual reality fitness game or signing up for a social league sport such as Tennis, finding genuinely enjoyable ways to exercise will be game-changing for anyone who has never loved traditional fitness.
5. Give your joints a break
If you tend to get the most satisfaction from traditional workouts like weightlifting, running or cycling, remember to give your bones and joints a break from time to time. Older adults especially need to pay close attention to the impact of movement on their skeletal system. Switching to low-impact yoga or swimming a few days a week and taking bone and joint supplements daily could help.
6. Cut back on the sugar
We probably don’t have to tell you that consuming too much sugar is not great for your health. In addition to weight loss, cutting back on sugar consumption can lead to a lower risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Start small by eliminating sugary additives from your coffee or going zero carb for one meal a day.
7. Track everything you eat
Tracking what you eat is a simple way to ensure that you’re getting the right nutrients and staying within a healthy macro range each day. Additionally, when you track what you eat, you will be able to draw conclusions about the food you eat and how it influences your digestion, mood, sleep and more.
8. Add electrolytes to your water
Electrolytes are salts — sodium, calcium, potassium, etc. — that help regulate core anatomical functions. For example, electrolytes are responsible for balancing the amount of water in our bodies and ensuring that nutrients move into our cells. Pick a daily diet tracker that shows you your potassium, sodium and calcium intake so you can be sure you’re getting enough each day. If you aren’t, up your intake through supplementation.
9. Go for a walk on your lunch break
If you’re just easing into exercise, try starting with a daily step goal. If you have a smartphone or smartwatch, you’ll be able to track the steps you’re taking without even thinking about it. Small changes, like taking a leisurely stroll on your lunch break, will help you crush your step goals every day so you feel your best.
10. Clean up your coffee
You shouldn’t have to get rid of your morning cup of joe altogether, but it’s probably a good idea to clean it up if you tend to pack it with sugar or dairy. Seemingly harmless additives like caramel drizzle or whipped cream turn an otherwise reasonably healthy drink into a guilty pleasure.
11. Get a physical
Has it been a while since you’ve seen your doctor? Start by scheduling a physical. During this head-to-toe exam, your doctor will determine if you have any health risks and help you address lingering concerns, from digestive issues to allergies to family health history. They may also order blood work and other screenings to check your overall health.
12. See a therapist
In addition to your physical health and fitness, you want to be sure you’re prioritizing your mental health. If you have experienced any feelings of anxiety, depression or lingering worries, a therapist can help you work through your issue and may be able to put you on a long-term care plan with cognitive behavioral therapy, medication and other forms of therapy.
13. Go on vacation
We probably don’t have to tell you this, but stress has a direct impact on your health . High-stressed individuals are more likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes, according to Mayo Clinic. One great way to minimize stress? Go on vacation! Whether it’s a full week at the beach or simply a chill staycation at home, taking time away from your stressors can help quell those bad hormones that wreak havoc on the body.
As you can see, getting and staying healthy doesn’t have to involve making massive lifestyle changes. A few small adjustments can go a long way toward helping you reach your goals. Follow these smart tips and tricks to get yourself on track to better health and fitness — and stay there for the long run.