Does keeping a healthy lifestyle sound like a dream, but maintaining healthy habits seems like just too much work? Do not worry, to remain energized and improve your overall health you do not need to wake up in the break of dawn, run a marathon on a treadmill, and then “reward” yourself with a green smoothie. Of course you can, if those activities fit your lifestyle, but there are easier ways to get on the right track in your pursuit of optimum health. Here are several health hacks that will help you lead a healthy lifestyle.
Squeeze in physical activity wherever possible
Maybe you do not have time to go to the gym three times a week, but you can surely be more active throughout the day. For instance, how many times have you waited for an elevator for five minutes? Instead of standing in one place, use the stairs whenever possible and your body will thank you. Also, consider walking to the grocery store instead of taking the car. Get yourself a backpack or one of those shopping trolley bags, put on your joggers, and build stamina and strength while getting groceries.
Take important supplements
No matter how much you try to maintain a balanced diet, taking supplements is vital since it can help you meet the increased nutritional needs of your demanding lifestyle. Taking probiotics and prebiotics is especially important because it can boost gut health and overall wellness. With probiotics and prebiotics supplements, you can improve your digestive health, heart health, regulate your metabolism, and much more.
Eliminate screen time before bed
A good night’s sleep can do wonders for your well-being, so in order to improve the quality of your sleep, put your phone and laptop away an hour before bed. Studies have shown that blue light emitted by the screen increases the production of melatonin, a hormone that is in charge of our sleep-wake cycle. Therefore, staring at your phone may keep you from falling asleep even when you are tired.
Drink water with lemon every morning
Want to improve your overall well-being? Just add lemon water to your morning routine. Drinking lukewarm water with some freshly squeezed lemon in it has various health benefits, with hydration, weight loss, and prevention of kidney stones being just some of them.
Keep your portions under control with smaller plates
How many times have you ended up with unbuttoned pants because your eyes were bigger than your stomach? To avoid overeating use smaller plates for your meals. This will help you keep those portions under control.
Use a water-drinking reminder app
Did you know you should drink six to eight glasses of water to achieve optimum hydration? Unfortunately, not many people meet this mark. Remember, if you feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. To remind yourself to drink enough water set up an app on your phone that will remind you to hydrate. You can also keep a water bottle on your nightstand, desk, or coffee table, so it reminds to you take a sip.
Start your meals with a salad
If your diet consists mainly of burgers, chips, frozen TV dinners, and other processed junk food, use this simple hack to change your habits. Before every meal, eat a filling salad. You do not even have to prepare it yourself if that seems like a high-effort task. Just get bags of salad from the grocery store, season them with salt, pepper, olive oil, vinegar, and your favorite spices, and you are good to go. Use pre-made salads until you build up the habit, and then slowly move on to preparing homemade salads. Once you have satiated your hunger with a healthy salad, you will be less likely to eat junk, even when you have the option.
Small changes often lead to big results, and in this case, this is very much true. Use these hacks to slightly change your daily habits and achieve a much healthier lifestyle.