8 Fresh Ways To Approach Health And Wellness

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The path to peak health is formulaic. Essentially, healthy choices such as a nutritious diet, adequate exercise and stress reduction will lead to positive results on your general wellness. Still, there are several facets to healthful choices that, when broken down into smaller parts, can give you an extra boost on your journey toward the healthiest you that you can be. With a wealth of both science-backed tips and misinformation available today, focusing on a few habits done on a smaller scale can put more modest habits into a greater context of your overall health.

SEE ALSO: Awaken Yourself To New Possibilities

Supplement

Your body typically gets what it needs to survive from the foods you consume, but sometimes it’s beneficial to add a few extra nutrients in the form of supplements. Supplements can step in to fill nutritional holes in your diet, promote sleep or naturally increase your energy levels. Before beginning a supplement ritual, talk to your doctor and do your research surrounding adaptogens and multivitamins.

Eat intuitively

The culture of dieting has irrevocably shaped the general population’s relationship with food, and not always in benevolent ways. Intuitive eating encourages a healthy relationship with each mealtime that decreases the emphasis on deprivation and focuses more on nourishment and remaining in tune with physical cues. Fill your plate with healthy, fresh foods and listen to your body’s cues when it comes to hunger and satiation.

Integrate exercise

There are numerous reasons why so many find it hard to schedule daily exercise. From pricey gym access to lengthy to-do lists, there are more than a few barriers to regular, consistent exercise. In the face of these roadblocks, simply try to find ways to incorporate extra movement into your routine. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, give up the good parking spots and take walks to unwind after work instead of plopping immediately down onto the couch.

Stay hydrated

Water consumption does more than to ward off thirst. Water aids your body in temperature regulation, brain function, skin health, digestion and flushes out toxins, among other functions. Your body requires different amounts of water based on your age, body composition, activity level and even the seasons, but it’s a good rule to never let your body get thirsty, as by that point you’re already in the first stages of dehydration.

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Practice mindfulness

Stress can wreak havoc on your body in more ways than one. Chronic stress can result in poor sleep quality, weight gain, muscle tension and a lowered immune system. Mindfulness practices, like meditation and journaling, can alleviate mental and physical pressures that, left unchecked, could make it harder for your body to function well.

Focus on gut health

The majority of your immune system rests within your digestive system, and when your gut’s microbiome is out of balance, it creates optimal conditions for harmful microbes to accumulate and potentially make you sick. Both pre and probiotics can help to balance your gut flora, as well as ingesting fermented foods and avoiding too much sugar and processed foods.

Get outside

Research has shown that getting outside to soak up some vitamin D has more than a few health benefits. Time spent outdoors is associated with lower levels of stress, better mood and a better regulated immune system. It’s especially beneficial to spend time in green spaces, ones that are filled with natural scenery, to boost your mood and lower your blood pressure.

Stay rested

A lack of sleep isn’t just uncomfortable, but it can greatly affect your quality of life. Sleep deprivation can make it trickier to focus, maintain a good mood and stay healthy and strong. Poor sleep has a number of causes, but you can encourage better, more restful sleep with good sleep hygiene. Build better sleep habits by avoiding screens close to bedtime, eating a healthy diet, creating a calming bedtime ritual and carving out time each day to engage in stress reducing activities.

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