Start right now. Yes during a Pandemic. Yes during quarantine. Yes, you!
Chances are, you have been eating foods you wouldn't normally eat and drinking beverages you wouldn't normally drink. I'm fairly certain you have been binge watching Netflix and scrolling social media. Your clothes may be tighter, your skin is probably drier and I bet you have experienced some stress over the past few months.
While a healthier routine may be the very last thing on your mind, I want to remind you that we will eventually have to re-enter the world. You will have to see people and go to work again. You may want to re-join that softball league or go swimming in the ocean again. If you continue to put your health on the back burner, you'll end up spending way more time in doctors offices than at the beach.
So, here are six super simple steps you can take right now toward a healthier you.
Hydrate!
Skip sugary drinks like sodas and juices. Add in plenty of H2O! Infuse it with fresh fruits for a burst of flavor. Staying hydrated is essential for your organs to function optimally, your body temperature to stay regulated and your skin to shine.
Keep it PG
Proteins and Greens for the win! Add lean proteins like egg whites, chicken breasts, cod and lentils into your daily diet. Proteins are known as the building blocks of life, not only do they help build muscle, but they are critical for head to toe bodily functions. Every cell in your body contains protein and protein is essential to help repair damaged cells and create new ones. Green veggies are high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, they help cleanse toxins from the body and support the immune system. Bonus: Greens are a low calorie, low fat food.
Laugh
Yes. Laughing is legitimately healthy for you. It will boost your mood and the mood of those around you. It is contagious! Laughter can relieve stress, promote muscle relaxation, relieve pain and stimulate the immune system (1). If all that isn't enough, laughing burns about 10-50 calories per 15 minutes. Laugh those pounds right off.
Drink Herbal Tea
Herbal teas have been used medicinally for years. The health benefits associated with herbal teas are many. Weight loss, immunity boosting and pain relief just to name a few. Peppermint tea can soothe inflammation and help relax muscles (2). Ginger tea has been said to help with stomach discomfort. Chamomile is known for its calming properties. While there are many reasons herbal teas are recommended, there is also something to be said about the relaxing sensation of simply sitting and resting with a hot cup of tea.
Move it
Sitting still is the staleness of life. Our bodies were made to move, not to be still. Your health will improve massively if you exercise 20-60 minutes daily. You can run, walk, swim, dance, play tennis, lift weights, do yoga, garden, or any other type of movement that increases your heart rate and gets the blood pumping.
Phone a friend
Isolation is difficult. The longer we go without companionship, conversation and socializing, the harder it can be to stay motivated and inspired. Lucky for us we have social media, where we can find like minded people, support groups and recommendations. The beauty of today's technology allows us to easily keep in contact with friends and family. So, for your emotional and physical health, call a friend, let them know your trying out these steps to improve your health and ask them to join you. Accountability has been shown to increase results and maintain motivation.
