Everyone wants to be healthy or at least healthier than the year before... at least I know I do!
A big misconception about healthy living is that becoming healthier has to be some extreme radical change you have to make. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. You can start by making very small and simple changes in your life.
Here are 5 Simple Tips for a Healthier You in 2014!
1. Drink More Water
This is one the easiest things you can do to become healthier. In fact, why wait until January 1? Start now! Water is such an important part of the body’s makeup and chemistry. On average, you should at least drink 64oz of water a day. This is just an average though; the minimum amount of water really varies with how active you are and your body mass. To calculate the actual amount of water that is right for you, clickhere. This site actually has it already calculated for you.
2. Read More
As you know your brain is a muscle and one of the biggest muscles in the body. Just like the other parts of the body your brain needs a good workout. What better way to workout the brain than to open up a book to get the brain going. Reading is a good way to relax the body and it can keep your thinking sharp. Who doesn’t want to be a sharper thinker? Puzzles and word games also help in working out the brain.
3. Helping Others
We have heard for our whole lives that it is better to give than receive, but there are some health benefits connected with giving as well. Studies show that actually helping others puts us in a better mood. It makes you feel good about yourself and it also helps in releasing stress, just knowing that you have helped someone else. Check out this article from University of California Berkeley on the5 Ways Giving is Good For You.
4. Physical Activity -- Everyday.
This is hard for a lot of people, but it is a MUST. Just 10 minutes of some sort of cardio activity a day can improve your overall health. You will be amazed at how you health improves by adding a few minutes of walking to your everyday routine. Make it a family affair, take your family on a walk and talk about the day’s events. This can be a great way to bond with your family and get healthy at the same time.
5. Spiritual Wellness
At Shazzy Fitness we believe in a holistic approach to health: mind, body, and spirit. An article onThomas Rivers University website describes the spirit as the deepest part of you. It is who you are at your core and it helps you to define your purpose in life. So making sure your spirit is taken care is another way of becoming healthy. Here are a few ways to improve your spiritual wellness (taken from Thomas Rivers University).
- Be open. Spiritual experiences can happen anywhere at any time.
- Be quiet. Take time for yourself every day, even if it's just before you go to sleep, or when you're driving home.
- Practice being non-judgmental and having an open mind.
- Be receptive to pain or times of sorrow. It is often in these times when we discover how spirituality can help us cope.
- Practice forgiveness.
- Pray, meditate or worship.
- Live joyfully.
- Allow yourself to believe in things that aren't easily explainable.
These are just a few of my favorite tips. We should really strive to do these everyday, all year long - but the new year is a perfect time to consider setting new goals and renew our commitment to health and wellness.
Do you have a tip for a healthier you in 2014? Let us know!