Many people make those grand gestures to quit smoking, stop drinking, or exercise at least three days a week around the first of the year.
In most cases, those grand gestures don’t last usually because you try to do it all at once or take on too much at once.
While you should always strive to meet those goals, there are simpler ways to improve your health, a little at a time.
This blog will give you some ideas for improving your health slowly, one step at a time until you’re as healthy as you want to be.
Table of Contents
Exercise Regularly
You already know the importance of exercising and why it’s beneficial to your health. However, there are ways to exercise that don’t involve joining the local gym or getting up at 5 am and jogging before work.
Exercise can be as simple as taking a walk after dinner or taking the stairs to and from your office instead of taking the elevator. Of course, you do need to do these things regularly, but they will help improve your health in the long run.
Don’t Forget Skincare
Improving your health isn’t just about exercising and eating right. You need to take care of the outside of your body, from your face to the soles of your feet.
Your best bet is to use topical skin care products with healthy ingredients. Unfortunately, there are quite a few skincare products out there that don’t use the ingredients that are good for your body or skin.
Enjoy De-Stressing
While the experts recommend exercise, yoga, or even meditation as a way to de-stress, if you don’t enjoy those activities, they aren’t much of a de-stressor.
Doing something you enjoy is the best way to reduce stress: whether it’s reading a book by your favorite author, taking a bubble bath, or spending time with the pet you love. What you enjoy should be used as a de-stressor, not what works for someone else.
Skimp on the Salt
One of the simplest and sometimes hardest ways to improve your health is by skimping on the salt. The best way to do this is by simply putting the salt away.
A saltshaker sitting out on the dining room table makes it easy just to pick it up and salt your food to excess. Too much salt leads to high blood pressure and a decrease in the improved health you’ve been seeing lately.
Instead, take the salt and put it in the cabinet. Then, only bring the shaker out when you’re cooking, and cut down on the salt you use in your cooking.
Try seasoning your food with lime or lemon juice, garlic, herbs, red pepper flakes, and a no-salt substitute for the taste you love without the decreased health benefits.
Hit the Hay Earlier
Most people don’t get anywhere near the seven or eight hours of sleep a night recommended by the experts.
Over time, not getting enough shuteye can raise your risk of having a stroke or a heart attack. Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier than usual, and increase that until you’re where you want to be.
Sticking to a schedule for waking up and bedtime, even on your days off, will also help with that.
Look Ahead
It helps to look ahead and picture yourself in great health a year or even a month down the road. It’s also good to realize that it’s never too late to start a few healthy habits. Looking ahead just helps you get motivated to reach those habits a little faster. Remember, your goals are within reach; you just need to be slow and steady to get there.