It seems as though everywhere you look, there’s an advertisement selling you something that will help you get better in some way. However, there’s no magic pill that will make you an overall healthier person overnight. Rather, there are many little changes you can make to improve your overall health over time.
By focusing on making a few small changes, you create habits that translate into a sustainable foundation on which you can build and grow. Here are five proven ways you can start to improve your overall health today.
Heal the Gut
Scientists are just starting to realize what an important role gut health plays in overall health. In fact, the gut is often referred to as the second brain, as it has its own nervous system. It’s also responsible for upholding your immune system. Thus, reducing inflammation in the gut and reintroducing healthy gut flora into the digestive system will go a long way toward improving overall health.
Start by reintroducing healthy bacteria into the gut. While taking probiotics and prebiotic supplements is one way to accomplish this, it can also be done by ingesting fermented foods. Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir all have healthy bacteria. Get a kombucha starter kit for a liquid option that allows you to focus on gut health while on the go.
Drink More Water
It’s common knowledge that staying adequately hydrated is good for you, but it’s still a significant challenge for most people. The minimum recommended amount of water intake throughout the day is two liters. However, this number is a sweeping generalization that doesn’t take into account individual body types or activity levels.
Start by having a glass of water as soon as you wake up. Keep in mind that you’ve been asleep for hours without water. Then, try another glass before each meal. This starts to create an easy routine to improve your water intake. The best way to monitor your plan’s effectiveness is to keep an eye on your urine: aim for light yellow to clear!
Move More
While having an exercise routine is important for overall health, you also need to find ways to move more throughout the day. Most people have sedentary jobs that have them spending hours at a desk. This means hours of sitting still with poor posture. Washington University released a study outlining the impacts of prolonged sitting, and equating it to smoking in terms of long-term health effects.
Try to stand and move for at least ten minutes every hour to get your blood circulating and muscles stretched.
Add Something Green
Rather than focusing on crazy diets, start adding a vegetable to every meal. Have carrot sticks with your sandwich at lunch or a cup of steamed broccoli at dinner. Let go of your preconceived notions about breakfast; there’s room for a vegetable next to your toast.
Find Gratitude Each Day
Being healthier overall isn’t just about your body; it’s also about your mind. To be healthy overall, you must have a growth mindset. To start shifting toward a growth mindset, you need to find positivity and gratitude each day.
Start your morning by stating something that you are grateful for. End each day highlighting something positive that happened. Even on the worst days, there’s something to be learned and celebrated. By focusing on making small, healthy changes in both your body and your mind, you’ll become a healthier person overall.
