5 Important Ways To Be More Health Conscious

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Take Care of Your Gut

Even if you don’t know the difference between prebiotic and probiotic, you probably know what your gut is. The delicate ecosystem of bacteria in your gut is responsible for keeping your digestive system healthy, and eating foods that throw off this balance can make it hard for your body to function properly. In fact, poor gut health can lead to issues like bloating, gassiness, lethargy, poor mood, difficulty sleeping and even problems with memory and focus. You can start taking better care of your gut by reducing the amount of lectins in your diet and replacing them with nutrient-dense, gut-friendly foods. Try to avoid certain nightshade vegetables and get plenty of Omega fatty acids (like fish and olive oil) into your meals.

Stay Hydrated

Your body depends on water to survive — since your body is roughly 60% water, it needs consistent access to fluids for processes like digestion, blood circulation, absorption and transportation of nutrients, production of saliva, sweat and tears, and countless other functions. Most studies show that adults should be drinking between 11 and 16 cups of water a day; children’s needs vary with age, and the amount of water they should be drinking tends to increase as they get older. If possible, try to keep a large bottle of water with you to sip on throughout the day.

Build Healthy Sleep Habits

Even though it’s responsible for your body’s reparative processes, sleep is often excluded from the health debate. If you want to start making improvements to your overall health, cleaning up your sleep hygiene is a great place to start. The key to a good sleep routine is consistency, so try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Avoid eating at least an hour or two before bedtime, and keep your phone and other distracting electronics out of bed altogether. If you do use your phone or a screen toward the end of the day, use a blue light filter to minimize your body’s exposure to harmful blue light.

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Get Out and Exercise

While the saying goes that you can certainly have too much of a good thing, the threshold for too much exercise is extremely high. Your body was designed to burn calories and perform work, and not doing so can lead to things like reduced energy levels, weight gain and chronic pain. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to workout at an Olympian intensity; just try to get up and move as often as you can. Go for a walk or hike, do some pushups while you watch TV or follow a dance tutorial video in your living room.

Give Your Brain a Workout

Your brain is the driving force that keeps your body alive, so your mental health is just as important to your physical health as working out and eating well. Countless studies show that creative pursuits, socializing and brisk exercise are all fantastic at improving brain function and strengthening your brain’s different lobes, so make your roster of hobbies and activities diverse! Painting, drawing, playing or listening to music, reading, talking with friends, learning new languages and simply getting out into the sun are all great ways to stimulate your brain.

Improving your health is easy when you know what to do. By improving core habits like diet, exercise and sleep patterns, you give your body the tools it needs to function and repair itself at optimal levels. By keeping your brain active and stimulated through fun activities, you enhance your body’s overall ability to perform almost all of its processes. If you’re ever concerned about making changes to your lifestyle, don’t be afraid to speak with your doctor and make a plan of action.