Healthy Living Tips

These healthy living tips are listed because of their practicality. They cost little or no money and you can begin them immediately. Please remember that living healthy is a habit, to be practiced daily.

Consult a Physician or Healthcare Provider – Because we are different, and will react differently to foods and exercises, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional to better understand your body’s needs and limitations. This can reduce the risk of injury or illness.

Exercise - This is must for good health and physical fitness. 30 minutes of exercise per day, 5 days a week, can change your life significantly. You will reduce your weight, sleep better, and lower your stress. And yes, there is time for this.

Reduce your Stress - Everyone has different ways to relieve stress. Some people will exercise, play a sport, do their hobby, or get fresh air to relieve stress. If you are experiencing symptoms of stress, find what relieves your stress and do it. Don't underestimate how damaging the impact of stress can be to healthy living.

Change your Attitude - I used to see t-shirts that said "attitude is everything." Whoever made these t-shirts was right. Have a positive attitude. I encourage you to go to the self help section of your local bookstore and study how to be positive.

Get a full night of sleep – Find out how many hours of sleep you need and plan for it. Sleeping can help with weight loss, lessen your urge for high sugar foods, improve cognitive function and motivation. You can be more productive in less time with a proper night of sleep.

Lose the Weight - Obesity increases the risk of heart disease. Excess weight creates undue wear and tear on the body, particularly in the joints (back, hips, knees, ankles, and feet). Obesity particularly effects the joints of older people because the extra wear and tear they've endured from living longer. Let me give you an example. My father officiated high school sports for 35 years. Until recently he was about 30 pounds overweight and could feel excess pressure on his knees. He has since lost that excess weight, walks several miles a day and feels fantastic. Get rid of any excess weight. If you aren't sure what your proper weight range is, please click this link to see a weight chart.

Eat Breakfast – You’ve heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what many haven’t heard, is why?

Eat 2 or 3 hours before bedtime – Eating and then going to bed can make it harder to get a proper night of sleep. This is because your body uses energy to digest food. This energy being burned makes it difficult to slow your breathing and bodily functions to fall asleep.

Avoid Alcohol – Alcohol is high in calories, affects your brain functioning, kills brain cells, reduces muscle mass, and disturbs your sleep. All of which are clearly not good.

Don't Smoke - Smoking increases your blood pressure and decreases your lung capacity.

Take Fish Oil - If you don’t eat fish, this is a great way to get omega-3 fats in your body. Many people don’t get enough omega-3s on a daily basis, which are important fats. Omega-3s can improve your mood, your skin & hair, and they help protect your heart & brain allowing you to live longer.

Weigh yourself weekly – If you know where you stand, you will be more inclined to either reduce your weight or keep the weight off.

Drink lots of Water – Water helps with weight loss, joint and muscle problems, and the absorption of nutrients. Water also fills your stomach helping to curb your appetite.

Walk – Steer clear of elevators and escalators and take the stairs. Walk during your breaks at work. If you need to be somewhere that is less than a mile away, don't jump in the car, walk to where you are going.

Avoid Junk Food - Avoid or limit your consumption of fast foods, fried foods, candy, and soda. A lot of these foods are empty calories and they could increase your risk of diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes. There are plenty of other tasty options to choose from.

Know your Calories - If you are attempting to lose weight, keep track of your calorie intake. It's simple math. If you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight. You should know how many calories you are consuming.

Avoid Overeating - This may be the biggest cause of obesity. The portions restaurants serve are huge and many people feel compelled to eat everything they are served. Eat slowly and listen to your body. Once you are full, stop! If you are at a restaurant, have the server take your plate away immediately. If you are at home, don't load your plate and stash the leftovers in the fridge.

Picking out several of these healthy living tips (or all) can make all the difference in the world.

Find Fitness Friendly Hotels – Look for hotels with quality workout equipment. You can get a great workout without using a ton of equipment. Although, finding a hotel with good equipment helps motivate you to exercise.

Avoid the Mini Bar – Hotel mini bars are chock full of delicious yet unhealthy snacks. Sometimes people are so hungry they have to eat something. If you are this way, plan ahead and take healthy snacks with you when you travel.

Pack your equipment – This may sound obvious, but have a checklist of items you need to exercise with, such as gym clothes, shoes, a resistance tube, weights, and anything else.

Take advantage of the town – Finding local parks and recreation areas will help you get away from the confinements of your room and clear your head of stress. Plus, they are fun and can be a great experience.

Pack a Lunch – If you are traveling and don’t have lunch plans, pack your lunch. This can save you time and money, plus you'll avoid unhealthy chain restaurants.

It can be difficult to remain in good health during travel. I encourage you to comeback and review all these healthy living tips from time to time.