It’s a staggering fact that 6 in 10 Americans are living with a chronic health condition.
While some of these may have genetic causes, many are down to unhealthy habits. Cigarette smoking and obesity are two of the most frequently cited examples. But there are a few simple health tips for everyday living that we can follow that can make a massive difference to our general health.
Let’s dig into them so you can start moving toward a healthier future right now.
1. Develop Healthy Eating Habits
The term healthy eating can send shivers down our spines. We may picture a bowl of rabbit food sucking all the joy out of our lives, one fibrous mouthful at a time.
But in reality, healthy eating habits are not like that. They involve basing your diet around balanced meals that are still delicious while being nutritious. They should be heavy on vegetables, fruit, healthy fish, and lean meats, but low on processed and junk foods.
Eating a balanced breakfast that isn’t loaded with sugar is a great way to start the day. Don’t focus solely on calories. Look at the nutritional value of the food and choose ones that will benefit your health. You should also make sure to drink plenty of water, as staying hydrated is just as important for your health as eating healthy foods. IV hydration in Rockford is one way you can achieve your daily hydration goals.
2. Focus on Oral Health
It’s now understood that there’s a strong link between our oral health and general health. Your mouth is the gateway to the body and teems with bacteria. Although most of it is good, sometimes those bacteria can cause disease.
There is a link between periodontitis or severe gum disease and heart problems. Also, don’t ignore signs you need braces. If you have crooked teeth it’s much harder to keep them clean and keep your mouth free from harmful bacteria.
The bottom line is that flossing and brushing aren’t just good for your teeth, they’re good for your heart as well!
3. Move More
Moving more often and for longer is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle.
The CDC recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week. In addition, they should include 2 days of muscle-strengthening (not the whole day, two sessions a week…).
Break this down into thirty-minute segments, 5 days a week to make it manageable. Also, try to sit for less time during the day. Physical activity can be something as simple as pushing a lawnmower!
4. Set Health Goals
Setting specific health goals can help you measure your achievements. For example, don’t say I’m going to eat more healthily. Write down the number of portions of fruit and vegetables you’ll eat every day and stick to it.
If you want to move more, set yourself an achievable target. This might be walking for thirty minutes every day in your lunch break or going to the gym for strength training twice a week.
When you reach your goals, set more and don’t reward yourself with unhealthy food.
5. Achieve a Healthy Weight
Reducing our weight to the healthy range on the BMI chart is a great goal for anyone who is overweight.
Aim to achieve this gradually by making lifestyle changes you can stick to. Adopt new ways of thinking about food and exercise rather than going on a crash diet for a short period of time. Talk to your doctor to find out whether a weight loss program or counseling may help.
Simple Health Tips for Everyday Living That Work
These five simple health tips for everyday living can make a huge difference to your health and sense of wellbeing. From cleaning our teeth to losing weight, there are lots of changes we can all make to give ourselves the best chance of avoiding chronic diseases. In the meantime, we’ll enjoy more energy and will be able to live life to the full.
For more great hints and tips, head over to our Health & Beauty section today!
