We all know that the main points of healthy living center around the way we eat, exercise, sleep and manage our stress. However, there are certain other habits which are very important to incorporate into your life, in order to ensure success in achieving optimal health.
The following are four such habits:
Stop comparing yourself with others
When we compare ourselves with others, we are opening the door to a lot of stress, and may very likely miss the things we need to do to make ourselves healthy. The best health strategy, and meal plan, for your health is unique to you individually – it is not a one-size-fits-all game.
If you start judging your weight loss goals, exercise strategy or the items in your shopping cart based on what your neighbors are buying, you may lose out on a lot of health benefits for yourself. Instead, choose healthy foods that make you feel good and exercise in whichever way you choose, as long as you’re moving.
If you are confused as to where to start as far as making an individualized health plan, a consultation with a nutritionist may help a lot.
Start setting goals
In order to start improving health in the most efficient way possible, it can be extremely beneficial to come up with, and write down, a set of goals. It works best to break down your overall health goals into specific categories.
For example, what are your goals when it comes to exercise? Are you trying to shed a few pounds, build muscle, train for an athletic event, or simply keep your heart healthy? Use this system to break down the other areas of your health goals as well, including nutrition, sleep and stress relief.
When you see your goals laid out this way on paper, it can become a lot easier to choose specific workout routines, foods and stress relief methods to help you to reach them.
Be creative in how you eat and exercise
One of the main reasons that many people refuse to give up unhealthy eating habits is that they think that nutritious foods will be bland and unsatisfying. Similarly, many people think that working out has to be boring, and must involve going to the gym to use the same machines over and over again. However, this does not have to be the case at all.
Eating whole, healthy foods from the Earth can be a truly exciting adventure. Look up unique recipes online, or take an organic cooking class. Recruit a friend or two to go with you, and experiment with recipes together. When choosing a workout, remember that anything that gets your heart rate up counts! Try a dance class, karate class or join a local sports team.
Use your imagination – getting healthy could be the most fun you’ve had in years!
Embrace a positive attitude
If you have a negative outlook on life, it is hard to get anything done, let alone get healthy. Negativity creates stress, anger and frustration, which can raise your levels of cortisol, the “stress hormone,” creating the conditions for chronic diseases to flourish in your body. It can also be hard to find the motivation to eat healthy and exercise if you are constantly down on yourself or on life.
On the other hand, a positive attitude can help you to be more productive, reduce your stress levels, and give you the motivation to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Not to mention, it can also make every aspect of your life much more enjoyable, which is an important part of wellness.
-The Alternative Daily
