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Last Updated on November 2, 2017 by Alaina
Spring is often the time of year that a lot of us start thinking about the changes we would like to make in our lives. Sometimes, we can all be guilty of letting things so somewhat over the winter and new year period. Coming around after that can come as quite a shock. That’s why the Spring is a traditional time for self-renewal. The truth is, anyone could benefit from making a few changes to their lifestyle. No matter how active and healthy a life you lead, there is always something more you could be doing. And while it doesn’t pay to over-stress about it, it’s worth thinking about every once in awhile. There is always plenty of opportunity for enacting positive change in your life. However, the problem arises when we don’t know exactly what to change. It might be that you feel that a change of some kind is necessary, but you don’t know what. If that sounds like you, then have no fear. Help is at hand. In this post, we are going to look at some of the simple changes you can make to give your health a spring boost. You will probably discover that you can regain control of your health with these simple changes, and that living healthily can be easier than you think.
Take A Stance With Your Food
If you are like most people, your diet can be a point of real contention. A lot of us have some deeply rooted issues which dictate to a large degree our behaviour around food. In the worst case scenario, the result of this can be a poor diet with no seemingly obvious way out of the mess. However, the truth is that there is always something which can be done. Changing the way you approach your diet might be the most important change you enact this year. So what are some of the principles you should be trying to integrate?
As we all know, a proper diet is one which is varied. By that, we mean that you eat a good proportion of all the different food types. But you don’t necessarily just want to eat an equal amount of, say, eggs and meat, do you? If you want to give your health a bit of a boost this year, there are certain dietary factors you should be considering. For example, make sure that you start packing your meals full of fresh fruit and vegetables. It can’t be overstated just how important these are for your health. Fresh fruit and veg are packed full of a huge range of different nutrients and minerals. They also decrease your likelihood of contracting cardiovascular disease, heart disease and diabetes.
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The easiest way to get fruit and veg into your diet is to find a way to incorporate it into every meal. With a little imagination, this can be achieved quite easily.
Another large part of looking after your diet is watching the kinds of fat which you eat. If you constantly allow yourself to consume saturated fats, then you will soon notice the difference on the scales. Not only that, but your likelihood of contracting those nasty diseases will rocket skyward again. So it is important that you watch not just how much fat enter your body, but what kinds of fat. Try and get as much unsaturated and monounsaturated as you can. This way, your body has a chance to process all the bad stuff – and it won’t be left hanging!
With a little focus, eating right can be easy and simple – and even a joy. For more on the subject, visit www.eatright.org/
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Make The Effort To Move Around
We all know how important it is to get a decent amount of exercise in – but how many of us actually achieve that goal? In our chaotic modern lives, it can be difficult to find the time – or the energy – to get in as much exercise as we would like. But the truth is, it is much easier than you think to exercise the right amount. Finding the time is only a matter of changing a few things around. We need to take back control of our lives. If your daily routine has made it so that you cannot find time to exercise, then it is time to change your routine. Even if you work a seventy hour week, there are things you can do to make that time. The truth is, a change of this scale has to come from an internal change. Without that personal transformation, you will lack the impetus to get up and do what it is that needs doing. That’s why I am going to try and convince you, now, of the importance of getting in a decent amount of exercise.
Your heart is a vital piece of machinery in that body of yours – and it needs looking after. Without your ticker, there is not much you can do to carry on. The good news is that looking after the most important organ in the body is quite a simple affair. All it takes is a little exercise to keep the heart healthy. And I do mean a little – the professional medical advice on exercise is that you should get 120 minutes of it every three to four days. That’s not very much, is it? I think you will agree that everyone can manage to find the time – and the effort – for that small amount of exercise. And what are the benefits of doing so?
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Regular exercise keeps the heart pumping at optimal rate. This, in turn, makes it much less likely that you will ever hear a doctor tell you you have cardiovascular disease or heart disease. It also reduces your likelihood of becoming diabetic. It also encourages your nerves to remain open, helps stop any clogging ever occurring, and increases your lung capacity. But it’s not just your organs that benefit from regular exercise. Your muscles have more oxygen in them, so they can move around more easily. Your bones, too, will have a longer life from being used more frequently. Lastly, when you exercise, the rush of endorphins and serotonin causes a natural high which you just can’t get any other way. Exercise makes you feel good, makes you look good, and is good. For more on getting a decent amount of exercise, visit www.webmd.com/
Look After Your Teeth
A lot of us, unfortunately, let our teeth fall into disrepair. Whether it is out of sheer laziness, or a kind of forgetfulness, we have all been guilty of letting our teeth be left behind. But any driven determination to regain control of your health must include a look at your teeth. Are you looking after your teeth as well as you could?
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We all know the recommended advice when it comes to tooth care. Brushing twice a day, as well as using mouthwash, can be easy enough to follow for most of our lives. But how often do we stop to consider just how important our dental health is? It’s not just about wanting to keep a healthy smile – having good dental health has many benefits beyond what you might expect. In fact, there is a direct link between the health of your mouth and the health of the rest of your body. The bacteria in your mouth can have dramatic effects on your overall health, particularly if left untreated. If you look after your teeth, you reduce your chances of getting several of the biggest killing diseases. Heart disease, diabetes, pneumonia – all these can be more likely if you have an unhealthy mouth. If this shocks you, you’re not alone. Many people are ignorant of just how vital their dental health is.
That’s why one of the most important changes you can make this year is to make a pact with yourself to look after your teeth. In the long run, it will be more than worth it. For more info on dental health, visit https://www.carefreedental.com/resources/13-dental-health/76-the-critical-links-between-dental-health-overall-health
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Learn How To Relax
It is a fact often overlooked that mind and body are one whole. We often think in dualistic terms and separate out the different functions. But a holistic approach to one’s health is very often the way forward. The fact is, your body affects the state of your mind, and vice versa. That’s why it is so important to take good care of your mental health, as well as your physical body. If you look after one, you are already looking after the other. The good news here is that, by taking the steps above, you are already taking steps in looking after your mind. However, there is more that you can do.
Relaxation is a key skill which many people could benefit from learning early on in life. The truth is, no matter what age you are, learning how to relax will be of huge benefit. At this point, you might be thinking: ‘But I know how to relax!’ However, the sad truth is that most people do not know how to relax. That’s why learning meditation could be something which changes your life for the better.
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Meditation is like a wonder drug which makes any and all problems a little easier to deal with. With a proper meditation schedule, stress is kept at bay. Not only does this make for a peaceful day-to-day life, but it also has positive effects on your overall health. We all know how damaging stress can be – so to reduce its impact can be a huge benefit. Meditation also helps stave off serious mental illnesses which can strike at any time – such as depression. If there is one change you make this year, make it this one. Your body and your mind will be grateful that you did.