10 Changes You Can Make Today to Improve Your Health



If you’re like most people, you probably have more than one area of your life that you’d like to improve. Achieving success in one area doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t need to work on others though; change takes time and effort no matter what aspect of your life you’re working on. That said, here are 10 small changes that can have a big impact on your health if you make them today!


1) Start by saying No

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or getting stressed out, it’s time to turn down another opportunity. Say no more often in order to get everything done. It may sound counterintuitive, but there’s a big difference between being popular and having priorities. Prioritize your health by saying no every now and then so you can focus on putting yourself first. When we say yes to one thing, we’re automatically saying no to something else. Being busy is just an excuse for not taking care of ourselves properly. We all have 24 hours in a day and only one body—the question is what are we going to do with our time? Choose wisely! Say no when necessary, so that you can spend your precious time on what matters most: Yourself! When you put yourself first, others will follow suit—and want to be around you even more! The way people treat us is always our choice; choose wisely who gets close enough to see how wonderful you really are inside and out! Surround yourself with people who support your dreams—people who encourage growth rather than fear change!


2) Add fruits and vegetables to every meal

While eating more veggies is good for you, sometimes it can be tricky to get enough servings. When you’re busy or strapped for time, it can be hard to find ways to squeeze them into your diet. Try adding a fruit or vegetable side dish or smoothie as an afternoon snack. It’s easier than you think! Just make sure they are fresh, frozen, canned (without added sugar), or dried—not processed with any additives.


3) Stay active as much as possible

A recent study from Denmark found that people who exercised regularly had a 46% lower risk of early death than those who didn’t. Exercise helps maintain muscle mass, keeps your metabolism up, and just makes you feel good. Aim for 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week—30 minutes at least five times a week. To avoid getting bored and giving up, mix it up by cycling between different activities like running, swimming, dancing or even hiking. As an added bonus, you’ll sleep better if you work out before bedtime too!


4) Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for health and well-being. Studies show that getting less than six hours of sleep a night can negatively impact cognitive ability, your weight, heart disease risk, hormone levels and more. We all know we need sleep, but sometimes it's tough to get enough—especially if you're juggling work and home life. Try cutting back on caffeine or alcohol after noon; if necessary (or possible), make your bedroom a relaxing place free of electronics or stressors; get some exercise in during your waking hours; and consider using an app like Sleep Cycle, which wakes you up during a light phase of your slumber cycle so you don't wake up groggy.


5) Drink more water

Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, but many people don’t drink enough water. Water not only hydrates us, it also transports nutrients around our body and flushes out toxins. Plus, drinking more H2O can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Doctors recommend that men drink roughly 3 liters (or ~13 cups) per day and women 2.2 liters (or ~9 cups). Try adding a tall glass of water to your morning routine; you might notice a difference in how well you feel throughout the day!


6) Ask your doctor about supplements

Most of us know that it’s important to have enough fruits and vegetables in our diet. If you’re not already doing so, take a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement. (If you take any medication regularly, be sure your doctor is aware.) Eating a variety of healthy foods provides us with many essential vitamins and minerals, but even healthy people can be deficient in various nutrients. A healthful diet should include more than just fruits and vegetables; supplementing with vitamins can help fill in any gaps. Taking a high-quality vitamin and mineral supplement every day is one way to make sure you get all of the nutrition you need.


7) Use an app like MyFitnessPal

Tracking your calories may seem tedious, but it’s a great way to make sure you’re on track with healthy eating. By logging what you eat into an app like MyFitnessPal—which has loads of free, pre-made food options—you can keep an eye on your daily calorie and macronutrient intake and stay accountable for what you’re putting in your body. This will help you cut back on mindless snacking that can throw off any weight loss or muscle-building progress. Aim for high-protein snacks like almonds, peanut butter, or cheese sticks that will help prevent cravings later in the day. Here are more low-calorie snack ideas you can enjoy with few added sugars and fats.


8) Don’t skip breakfast or lunch

Skipping meals can make your body go into starvation mode, slowing down your metabolism and making it harder for you to lose weight. When you skip a meal, you’re also more likely to snack later in order to feel full—which leads to consuming even more calories than you would have if you hadn’t skipped that meal. Instead of skipping meals entirely, just eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at scheduled times each day. Skipping snacks is perfectly fine as long as your overall calorie intake remains consistent throughout each day.


9) Eat three balanced meals per day

When we’re on a diet, it can be easy to fall into a mealtime rut. But that’s no excuse for skipping meals and avoiding food groups. To lose weight safely but quickly, commit to eating three balanced meals per day (and try your best not to eat junk in between). Studies show that those who aren’t getting enough calories are likely less likely to stick with their diets in general and people who skip breakfast tend to struggle with weight loss.


10) Avoid fast food restaurants

It’s pretty much common knowledge that fast food is less than healthy for you. According to a study by researchers at Stanford University, people who ate out at restaurants more than twice a week were twice as likely to be obese compared with those who ate out less than once a week. When you dine out, whether it’s from a local restaurant or on your way home from work, you’re often tempted to indulge in higher-calorie options. Not only are meals like burgers and fried chicken high in calories and fat, but they also tend to have large portions. By learning how and when to make healthier choices, it will become easier and easier for you to avoid unhealthy meals.

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