5 Lifestyle Practices That Lead to a Healthier You

When you’re too busy juggling your job, social life, personal matters, and other responsibilities, it can be so easy to neglect yourself and not take care of your health. Everything is going so fast that it seems like there’s no time to stop and do things that are simply for the benefit of your well-being.

But it shouldn’t be so. You’ve only got one body and one mind. If you don’t take care of them now, they will break down sooner or later. An unhealthy body and mind will impair your ability to cope with life. You’ll rack up a bill for all the medical checkups and examinations and treatments you’ll need if you fall ill from pushing yourself too much.

You should start taking care of yourself now and adopt these lifestyle practices if you want to live a fuller and healthier life.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables Every Meal

The body needs a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to be healthy. You won’t get those by eating only meat, fast food, and processed meals. Vegetables and fruits are not only delicious, but they’re also rich sources of essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamins A, C, E, K, and B complex, as well as potassium, iron, magnesium, and calcium.

If you want to get your daily dose of nutrients, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every meal. As a rule, eat between 5 and 13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, says the USDA’s dietary guidelines.

Cut Down Sugar Intake

Sugar does more harm than good to your body. For one, eating too much sugar puts you at a higher risk of gaining weight and getting heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression. It causes your skin to age faster and break out.

Contrary to popular belief, sugar saps your energy more than it lifts energy. The rush you get after consuming sugary food or beverages is temporary. Your energy levels are going to crash quickly as soon as the rush subsides.

Limit your sugar intake, and stay away from food and drinks overloaded with sugar, such as soda, sports and energy drinks, iced tea, and cereal and protein bars. If you’re craving for something sweet, drink a glass of water, and eat a fruit. Plain water doesn’t have sugar, and although fruits have sugar, they also have vitamins and minerals, unlike sugary junk foods.

Take More Nature Walks

Walking is beneficial to your mind and body, but if you add nature to the equation, you’ll reap even more benefits. Taking a nature walk allows you time to immerse in peace and silence, which provides a much-needed reprieve from the noise and distractions that can gradually wear on your mind.

Nature walks also mean treating yourself to clean, fresh air, sunshine, and green-filled scenery. All of which are known to help boost the mood, rejuvenate the mind, and help manage stress. Plus, it doesn’t cause a thing to go out to a nearby park to take a walk.

Drink Green Tea

Green tea offers a long list of health benefits. It contains antioxidants and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a plant-based compound known for its numerous potential health benefits.

Green tea may also help with interfering certain cancers. Plus, it may also help prevent clogging arteries, fight oxidative stress in the brain, and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. And if you’re trying to lose weight, green tea also helps burn fat.

If you want to start a new hobby to help you relax, try brewing delicious and nutritious matcha green tea through the traditional Japanese way. Brewing matcha allows you to calm down with every whisk of chasen (tea whisk) and every sip of personally brewed matcha green tea.

Take Short Afternoon Naps

Naps are a massive thing in many cultures, but the benefits of napping are not limited to these cultures alone. Short naps, which only take 20 to 30 minutes, are known to improve alertness, boost performance, and decrease the risk of accidents and mistakes.

Naps are also excellent for your mental condition. If you’re bogged down by a problem, taking a nap can help take your mind off the issue, clear your mental clutter, and wake up in better condition to tackle the problem. In short, naps are great.

Treat Yourself Well

People usually know what’s best for themselves, but they choose to ignore it. Don’t let yourself fall into a habit of neglecting what your body and mind need, whether it’s a break, better food, or more sleep. You’re going to crash and burn if you push yourself too hard, too far, and too long.

You’re only human. Take a break and treat yourself well. After all, you’re the most qualified person to do that.

One more thing: don’t skip on your annual medical checkup. You should visit the doctor at least once a year to get your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and vital organs checked using advanced medical equipment and sensors to diagnose and treat potential health problems early.

Finally, if you get tired, take a rest. You’re only human, and life can get too overwhelming sometimes. It’s okay to prioritize your health and well-being and let everything else take a back seat. Learn to treat yourself well. After all, you’re the most qualified person to do that.