10 Tips to a Healthy Lifestyle

Life can be so hectic and busy at times that we easily forget to take care of ourselves properly, but you can make improvements to your daily health and fitness without having to dramatically change your routine.  Here are 10 quick tips you can start using today for a healthy lifestyle.  Start out by adding one or two at a time and keep adding another one until you have successfully implemented these easy steps into your daily routine without adding extra stress to your already busy lifestyle.
  1. Stay Hydrated
  2. Eat Breakfast
  3. Snack Smart
  4. Move
  5. Protein
  6. Fiber
  7. Drink Tea
  8. Cut the alcohol
  9. Don’t “Diet”
  10. Sleep

Tip 1 – Stay Hydrated

Dehydration slows down your blood flow leaving you with less energy to face the day.  Drinking water first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day and takes only minutes.  Bring a bottle of water to bed at night and drink it first thing in the morning when you wake up to give yourself a boost of energy.  You should also drink eight glasses of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated.  This will impact your energy levels and is an easy way to improve your health. 

Tip 2 – Eat Breakfast

It is never a good idea to skip a meal because you are in a rush.  Studies have shown that people who skip breakfast burn less calories during the day than those who start their day with a healthy breakfast.  This is especially important if you are working on changing the way you eat.  Giving your body a healthy eating pattern can improve how your body burns calories. 

Tip 3 – Snack Smart

Snacking can be good for you.  It all depends on the kind of snacks you choose but the snacks you choose can help to keep your metabolism up and help you to have more energy throughout the day.  Try snacking on fruits and vegetables with hummus and nut butters or raw nuts. 

Tip 4 – Move

Exercise has to be a priority in every lifestyle.  Taking part in regular exercise does not have to be a chore.  Try adding some in by taking a walk during your lunch break, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, riding your bike or walking to work, or playing with your kids.  Try working with or learning from a personal trainer.  A personal trainer can help you to achieve your health and fitness goals. 

Tip 5 – Protein

Protein is very important in everyone’s diet.  Pay special attention to keeping all your meals and snacks balanced and you will find that you will have more energy by the day. 

Tip 6 – Fiber

Make sure you are getting fiber in your diet.  Snack on fruits and vegetables to add more fiber to your diet. 

Tip 7 – Drink Tea

Green tea has many benefits, including helping to protect you from heart disease and cancer.  It is also very beneficial for boosting your metabolism. 

Tip 8 – Cut the alcohol

Although drinking alcohol does not slow down your metabolism it has been shown that having a drink daily can make you gain weight, this is because when you drink alcohol, your body processes that alcohol first, leaving the calories you consumed from your last meal, which means they are more likely to be stored as fat. 

Tip 9 – Don’t “Diet”

Switching your diet plan regularly means you are more likely to be depriving your body of essential nutrients and may mean you are consuming fewer calories than you need to keep your body active, resulting in lower energy.  If you are low in energy you are not going to feel energized and motivated enough to exercise and furthermore you are more likely to snack on high sugar foods.  Instead of “dieting” build your diet into a part of your lifestyle, rather than changing your routine overnight and suffering withdrawals, add a new healthy eating step a day and build it in as part of your daily routine.  The results will come and because you will be building it slowly the benefits will be long and lasting.

Tip 10 – Sleep

Relaxing and sleeping are good for your body and your mind. It is recommended that you get around 7-8 hours of sleep a night.  Relaxing during the day is important as well.  Being stressed can interfere with how your body processes carbohydrates making it more likely that you will gain weight.  Take regular rest periods when you can.  Unwinding for even a few minutes during the day will help de stress.  Try enjoying a nice cup of green tea while you sit and relax during the day.