Healthy living can seem overwhelming and confusing, which puts many people off trying. With so much conflicting advice about whether cardio or weight lifting is better, and whether we should or shouldn’t eat meat, it can be tempting to give up on trying to be healthy altogether.
Luckily, there are small tweaks you can make to your lifestyle that will massively improve your health without requiring huge changes or tons of free time and money. Here are some of our favourites.
1. Get Your Sleep On Track
Sleep is famously one of the pillars of good health, but all too commonly overlooked. Adults should aim for around 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but with so many distractions available and many people suffering from sleep conditions, many people sleep for fewer hours than the recommended number.
One surprising change you can make to improve sleep is your bed. Adjustable beds are underrated for their impressive effect on sleep. If you suffer from snoring, back pain, or sleep apnea, or simply enjoy reading in bed and can never get the angle right, you’ll benefit from investing in one of these innovative bed frames.
2. Eat More Legumes
We hear tons of messaging about the importance of eating five fruits and vegetables a day, such as apples, bananas, spinach, carrots, and broccoli. Legumes, on the other hand, barely get a mention.
But these nutritional powerhouses not only pack a protein punch, but they’re also filled with a dense variety of vitamins and minerals such as iron and potassium. For an easy way to improve your health, replace the meat in a chilli con carne with black beans, or try adding a portion of beans to your lunchtime salad.
Chickpeas and lentils also count, so replace your mince with lentils in a spaghetti bolognese, or add a layer of hummus to your sandwiches.
3. Switch to Red Wine
There’s no alcohol that’s really ‘good’ for you, but some are worse than others. Because red wine is made with dark grapes, it contains a decent amount of polyphenols - compounds from food that are packed with antioxidants.
So next time you’re in the mood for a tipple, stay away from the bloating beers or sugary mixers and opt for a glass of red instead.
4. Floss Your Teeth
Not only does flossing help to keep your teeth looking their best, it also helps to reduce the bacteria in your mouth. Believe it or not, harmful bacteria can make their way from your mouth to your stomach, interfering with the delicate balance of your stomach’s microbes.
For a sparkling white smile and a healthy microbiome, floss your teeth at least a few times a week, or whenever necessary.
5. Do Strength Training
Strength training is any type of exercise that involves building muscle. Strength training exercises can use body weight, such as planks, squats, and tricep dips, or can be done with the help of dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells. Examples of popular exercises using equipment include bicep curls and deadlifts.
The more muscle you have on your body, the higher your basal metabolic rate, meaning the more calories you burn by just going about your daily life. If you have a busy schedule or don’t have the money for a gym membership, don’t worry. Even just 15 minutes of strength training a day can help you to build muscle for healthier body composition.
6. Buy a Water Bottle
We’re regularly told to drink more water, but if you’re not used to refilling two or more litres a day, it can be difficult to get used to. One of the easiest ways to guarantee you’ll drink more water is to keep a water bottle on your person at all times.
Whenever the bottle empties, make a commitment that you’ll refill it. You’re more likely to drink water if you have some constantly to hand.
7. Try Breathing Exercises
Modern life can be busy and stressful, and dealing with constant stress can throw your body into fight or flight mode, and increase stress hormones. To engage your parasympathetic nervous system, which keeps you calm, try some breathing exercises.
With regular deep breathing, you’ll improve your mental health and reduce stress. Plus, if you couple breathing exercises with some light yoga, your body will benefit, too.
8. Add Turmeric to Your Meals
One of the least well-known but easiest ways to make your lifestyle healthier can be found in the spice cupboard. No, really. Many herbs and spices are packed with antioxidants and other compounds that can help you stay healthy and avoid disease.
Turmeric, in particular, is linked to reducing the risk of cancer, liver disease, and Alzheimer’s. Add this popular Asian spice to curries, Indian dishes, and even smoothies for an easy healthy fix.
