diyhealth.com

Do These 5 Things to Be Healthier Today

Be Healthier Today

While everyone is home during the coronavirus lockdown, the majority of the world is expecting us to be incredibly productive. If you’re not losing weight, training for a marathon or learning a new skill, are you really quarantining right?

With all due respect — leave that.

If all you can do is get out of bed and make it to the couch for your work-from-home workday, then that’s all you need to do. If you do want to start the journey toward getting a little bit healthier, here are some baby steps you can take without buying anything or going anywhere. These are some things that you can do today to make yourself feel a little better while the world is burning down around us.

1. Stay Connected (Virtually)

Stay Connected (Virtually)Human beings are inherently social creatures. Social distancing and forced isolation are taking their toll on both our physical and mental health. One of the easiest things you can do to become a little bit healthier is to stay connected with your friends and loved ones.

You might not be able to go out for a drink or a day at the beach, but you can stay connected virtually or through phone calls. Even sending a letter, or getting one in the mail, is enough to trigger that little dopamine rush that comes with an emotional connection.

2. Make One Small Change

Starting a workout regimen or changing your diet from fast food to homecooked meals might seem like a daunting task. That’s because it is. These goals are massive, and not something that you should try to undertake all at once. Instead, make one small change.

Just one. Swap your soda for black coffee or unsweetened tea — because no one wants caffeine withdrawal headaches and soda is terrible for you. Go walk around the block while you’re on the phone, or take the dog for a walk instead of letting them out in the yard. Small changes will add up and eventually become those big changes that you want to see.

3. Smile

pretty-smileIt sounds silly, but make it a point to smile — even if you don’t have anyone to smile at. If you’re on the phone, a smile can change the way your voice sounds. Even if you’re wearing a mask while you’re out grocery shopping, smiling can change your entire posture and help you make someone else smile too.

Science has found that smiling can also improve your mood, reduce stress and even improve heart health. How can you beat that? Find something that makes you smile. It might be a video of a puppy doing something cute, the feeling of the sun on your skin or standing on your head — whatever makes you happy. Find a reason to smile every day.

4. Go for a Walk

Instead of staying inside all the time, get outdoors and go for a walk. That’s it. You don’t have to run a marathon or a 10-minute mile or anything fancy. Just go for a walk. Not only are you getting active — which is good for your health too — but you’re also getting some sun on your skin, which helps your body produce vitamin D.

You don’t produce Vitamin D by staying indoors, and you need it to help your body process things like calcium and phosphorous, which are essential for bone health. Vitamin D is also essential for supporting a healthy immune system.

5. Drink More Water

Drink-water-frequentlyAround 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. That seems like a surprising statistic when you consider how much bottled water the country goes through every year, but skipping out on a drink of water doesn’t just make you thirsty. It can have all sorts of additional negative effects on your health.

According to the CDC, drinking enough water helps your body regulate its temperature, as well as lubricate your joints so they can bend and move smoothly. Some studies have also suggested that drinking water is good for everything from clear skin to weight loss, but more research is needed. Just making sure you’re drinking enough water during the day can make a huge difference in your overall health and wellness.

Be Proud of Your Baby Steps

Most of these things sound like simple steps — and that’s the point. These are designed to be baby steps that you can take to start making yourself healthier. Be proud of the beginning of your journey. When you’re ready to take bigger steps, these first initial activities will serve as a foundation for you to build on.

It doesn’t take expensive gym memberships or restrictive diets to be healthy. Sometimes, all you need is a glass of water or a smile. Try it yourself. You might be surprised how much better you feel after something as simple as a walk around the block.

Article Submitted By Community Writer

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top