Healthy living is a concept most people are familiar with. But what a lot of people do not know are the actual things you have to do to ensure that you become healthy even in the long run. Yes, there are basic rules of thumb when it comes to being healthy like drinking water, avoiding junk food, quitting vices, etc. But these tips are so common that some people wonder if there is anything they can do beyond those simple steps.
If you are one of those people who want to take their healthy life a step higher, then you can try doing these tips for better health.
Eat frequently but in small proportions.
There are diets that advice you to fast for 16 hours while some diets ask you to eat one full meal a day. Although these diets work for some people, they are often targeted at losing weight immediately. But what you don’t know is that it takes a toll on your metabolism.
When your stomach goes empty for a long time, your metabolism will tend to slow down to accommodate the loss of energy. When you start eating again, it will be hard for your metabolism to get back up to its former fast rate. If you want to have a steady intake of energy while maintaining a slim body, you can eat more frequently, but with fewer calories per meal.
Stock up on antioxidants.
Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals that damage the body. The body naturally produces free radicals, so you should have enough antioxidants to balance out the free radicals. Good sources for free radicals are berries, dark chocolates, and pecans. You can replace your daily bag of chips with a bar of these antioxidant-rich snacks instead.
Allot 30 minutes to exercise every day.
If you don’t have an hour to spare to go to the gym, you can at least exercise for 30 minutes every day. Exercising can serve as a dual purpose – to help burn calories and to produce endorphins. Endorphins are happy hormones that help regulate your mood. Having enough of it will help boost your emotions.
Do breathing exercises.
If you aren’t into yoga poses, then you can do breathing exercises instead. Breathing exercises are known for their benefits. It can be a source of immediate relaxation while allowing your brain to have a pause when it feels like it’s going to blow up. Breathing spaces allow you to calm down and to be more self-aware so you can check up on what you are currently feeling. Since a big part of your overall health is your mental state, then there’s no excuse to avoid breathing exercises.
There are more things you can do if you want to be healthy. You can start with your diet coupled with exercises both physical and mental. After all, it’s your overall health that should be taken into account.