Adopting a healthy lifestyle is a goal that many people take on and then abandon. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. You can improve your health through small, simple steps that are easy to incorporate into your existing routine. That makes it easier and helps ensure that you are successful.
When you are ready to take charge of your health, try making these simple changes to see measurable results.
1. Add a Supplement to Your Day
When you need a boost, supplementation is an easy way to make sure your body has what it needs to perform its best. Many people also turn to supplements to boost energy, relieve pain and inflammation or improve specific health markers. Products like delicious CBD gummies make it easy to feel better naturally. You can also use vitamins to meet basic nutritional requirements.
Remember, however, that the best way to get the majority of your nutrients is by eating a balanced diet. Try to include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Many health professionals recommend options such as the DASH or Mediterranean diets for their convenience and health-boosting properties. They are routinely ranked as among the best diets for healthy eating.
2. Drink More Water
Such a simple thing can affect lasting change to your health, both physically and emotionally. Most people need to take in a little less than one gallon of fluids per day. A good portion of that will probably come from foods, especially if you eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that different factors, such as age, activity level and environmental temperatures, can affect how much water you actually need each day. Even after adjusting for those factors, however, you still need to drink several glasses of water a day to round out the numbers.
Carry a refillable bottle as you go about your normal activities. It serves as both a reminder to sip and an easy way to track how much you have been drinking. Water is widely considered the best choice for healthy drinking. There is no sugar or acids to encourage tooth decay, it is free of calories, and the body can quickly use it. That can mean very little if you simply don’t like drinking plain water, though. Try infusing fruits, herbs or cucumbers into plain water for a touch of flavor.
3. Involve Your Healthcare Provider
Your doctor is more than someone to visit when you are sick or injured. They are also a partner in maintaining good health. Make the most of that relationship by scheduling an annual physical and discuss any red flags that pop up. Ask questions about exercise levels, proper nutrition and stress relief.
4. Find Activities You Enjoy
It’s tough to stick to your goals when they involve things you don’t enjoy doing. Instead of forcing yourself to go to the gym or eat salads every day, find healthy strategies and activities that you actually want to carry through with. That might mean discovering CrossFit, weekend hiking trips at nearby parks, taking community cooking classes to learn delicious and healthy recipes or embracing an evening yoga routine that lets you unwind and find balance.
5. Develop an Accountability System
Take ownership of and responsibility for your actions to move closer to achieving them. Setting a SMART goal and then tracking progress toward it makes it easy to see where you are in the journey. There are plenty of apps or downloadable charts you can use to make this easier.
A few other ideas to help hold yourself accountable include:
- Track your intentions and activities in a fitness journal
- Share plans with others
- Use the buddy system with a supportive friend
- Establish a schedule and stick with it
- Reward yourself for achievements
You have the power to successfully change your health outcomes. Take small steps toward changing lifestyle behaviors by using supplements, drinking lots of water and finding activities you enjoy doing. Talk with your healthcare provider for recommendations. It is also helpful to find a system that works to hold yourself accountable throughout the process.
