It’s essential to stay healthy, and no, it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are nine simple things to keep you fit and happy. Plus, no excuses — most of them are free.
Drink Water
Drinking water is probably the most straightforward thing a person can do to stay in good health, so why is it so hard for some of us?
If you just don’t care for the taste of water, try adding a little fresh lemon or lime juice to it.
Ditch the plastic bottles. Most of them have chemicals that leach into your water over time, or if left in the heat. A simple metal water canister keeps water cold, clean, and it’s great for the environment. So stay hydrated!
Meditate
Substantial scientific evidence has shown the benefits of meditation for our well-being. Don’t overthink it. Find an app, a website, or a book, and learn a simple technique to get started.
Increased focus is something we all need. Just five minutes of meditation can calm you down and promote wellness.
Sleep
You have to sleep, and you know you should get more of it, and yet here you are reading about sleep instead of doing it.
If you can’t find enough hours in a day, try a short nap instead. Just do yourself a favor and get some rest — your concentration, mood, and physical well-being will improve. (Okay, you can finish this article first!)
Be Social
Even if you think of yourself as an introvert, socializing is a key to good mental health, and so is maintaining relationships in your life with family and friends.
Take a couple of minutes to call someone you love; it has the added benefit of not just making you feel better, but the other person, too.
Stretch
The benefits of stretching are endlessly debated. It helps your post-workout as much as pre-workout. If nothing else, it doesn’t hurt to warm-up, especially if you will be lifting weights or doing a challenging HIIT program.
Go Green
It might surprise you how many man-made chemicals are around your house. Air fresheners, cleaning products, and scented candles can contain particles you shouldn’t be breathing in.
Take a few minutes and survey your living space; if you can’t pronounce the ingredients in that air freshener, maybe consider replacing the artificial stuff with something from nature.
Eat a Vegetable
Sounds simple, but how often do we do it?
Americans eat potatoes and tomatoes in abundance, which are both vegetables. Why? Translation. French fries and pizza sauce.
Try some cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts or cauliflower to feel full and get your fiber intake up. Root vegetables like carrots and beets are full of vitamins and easy to prepare.
Exercise
Yes, it’s obvious, but it’s a key to wellness and happiness. It’s too easy to be sedentary, especially in our digitally dominated world. And once you get thrown off track, it’s hard to start back up again.
Just begin anywhere. Home yoga apps, push-ups, or isometric exercises are all good options to stay fit while staying inside your house. You’ll feel better after that first workout, even if you’re a little (or a lot) sore.
Use Data
There are tons of apps for your smartphone to track all the things listed above.
Using apps to track things like sleep, meditation, and food choices gives you a big picture of your health and can help you spot areas that could use some TLC.