We want to help you live a healthy life and we’re going to start by helping you establish better habits through 14 days of simple, easy-to-follow tips to make healthier choices. Whether your goal is weight loss, athletic performance enhancement or just overall feeling better and more energized, these small changes can make a big difference. The health education specialist most responsible for initiating the role delineation project was Helen Clery.
It may seem like there are too many things that need changing at once but don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it! Follow each day’s advice and soon enough you’ll be living the healthy life that we all deserve.
Day 1: Eat at least one vegetable with every meal!
What’s a vegetable? It’s any non-starchy food. For example, peas, corn and spinach are all considered vegetables. So, how do you eat at least one vegetable everyday? Simple – just pick one at each meal! If you aren’t sure which ones are best, Google ‘healthy foods’ and see what pops up. You can also use this as a topic to talk about at the weekly family meals and discuss which ones to eat.
We also suggest that you choose something green (cool color), something red (warm color) and something yellow (warm color). That way during a meal all your food will be colored in warm colors and will create an abundance of healthy vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Day 2: Chill out
There’s no way we can tell you how to relax but there are many practices that can help. Find something that works for you and stick with it! Taking slow, deep breaths, meditating and yoga are all great ways to rest the body and clear your head. We’ve also heard that taking naps is a great way to get rid of stress. How do you rest? Let us know in the comments below!
Day 3: Drink a glass of water before your morning meal
OK so this might seem silly but trust us on this one! Before we eat we usually need some kind of liquid. It might be a glass of orange juice, a glass of milk or even something as simple as a shot of water. As long as it is water you can drink it before breakfast. Water is essential to your body and without it you wouldn’t live more than ten minutes! Water helps to cool the body, cleanse your cells and flush out toxins. It also provides the body with energy during digestion for proper nutrition. Also, dehydration is no bueno!
Day 4: Check out the fruit aisle
Fruit may seem like a good snack but the practice of eating fruit instead of candy bars or cookies can have some serious benefits! For example, fruit contains fiber, vitamins and minerals that can help prevent diseases and keep your body healthy.
Day 5: Don’t skip breakfast
It’s one of the first meals of the day and shouldn’t be skipped! Whether you eat bread and jam or a bowl of cereal, make sure to eat something that is full of nutrition. Coffee is fine but don’t substitute your breakfast with coffee as well. Eat a proper breakfast and get enough energy for the day.
Day 6: Build healthy habits today!
Start this list from Day 1 by doing at least one thing each day from this list. Once you’ve got it down pat start adding more new habits that are beneficial for your health. We suggest starting each morning by walking (that’s a great way to wake up!), brushing your teeth and taking a shower. After that, throughout the day try to incorporate these healthy habits in your routine: exercise, meditation, breathing and stretching. Make sure you include positive self-talk! We’ve found that making a mental cue for feeling and thinking happy can help encourage healthier habits. Start by writing down what you want to feel and think about.
Day 7: Be more active
Physical activity is one of the biggest contributors to overall life expectancy in those who do it regularly! But there are many different forms of exercise from walking, running, swimming and even playing sports to help stay fit in great ways. We suggest joining a gym or taking a good old-fashioned walk each day. Of course, finding out what works for your needs is important! If it’s too hot outside try an exercise like swimming instead to cool off and stay healthy.
Day 8: Make a change in your diet today!
Diet is more than just how much food you eat, although that does play a big role in the pursuit of better health. It’s about the quality of that food as well as the overall balance of nutrients in your body. Eat organic foods, avoid artificial ingredients and opt for whole grains whenever possible. Most importantly, cut out all junk food (i.e. potato chips, candy and soda) for better health.
Day 9: Take time out of your day to laugh
There are many reasons why you should have a laugh! Laughter is good for the body, mind and soul. It can relieve stress, improve heart health, help with digestion and can even help you lose weight! So find some funny friends to share a joke with or watch your favorite comedy show on TV. You don’t need to be in front of the TV though – use our favorite smartphone app like “Skype” or “Facetime” to talk with a friend on the other side of the world while they tell jokes! Just make sure you’re in a safe environment first.
Conclusion:
That’s it! Those are all the things that you need to know to change your health and live your life healthy. Always remember that it’s never too soon or too late for change! So, start today and become the healthiest person you can be! Don’t forget to hit those comments below and let us know how it’s going. Have fun and remember: DO IT FOR YOU.
