There’s no better place to start self-improvement than with your
health. After all, health is one of the most important aspects of life. Taking
care of your health is the first step on the road to self improvement.
1. Eat breakfast -
start the day off right with a quick morning breakfast. Fruit and yoghurt,
granola and milk or whole-wheat toast and peanut butter will ensure you start
on the right foot.
2. Relax in the morning
- get up a couple minutes early and savour that extra time. Enjoy a cup of coffee
while watching the sun rise, take a few extra minutes to yourself in the
shower; or go for a quick brisk walk around the block to get your heart
pumping. There’s nothing worse than starting your day in a rush. A few minutes
in the morning can make a world of difference in your health.
3. Exercise with a friend
- Exercise releases endorphins, which can lift your sprit as well as help you
maintain a healthy weight. However, sometimes it can be hard to get out of bed
and actually hit the gym. Combining your friendly chatter with exercise can
make exercise much more fun. Working out with a friend, whether this is a
morning stroll, a spin class, an evening run or anything else, can keep you motivated
and revved for the rest of the day.
4. Don’t just drink
water, enjoy water - tap water is fine, in most instances, but pure water
makes a big difference. It’s important to drink 2 litres of water each day;
however, this shouldn’t seem like a chore. Add some ice cubes, cordial and
enjoy water through a fun straw to make it more indulgent. Water doesn’t have
to be just water. Improve your health.
5. Pop a vitamin a day
- it’s amazing what one little pill can do for your health. Multi vitamins can
give your body the nourishment it is lacking. We can’t eat perfect balanced and
healthy all the time, which is why vitamins were created.
6. Hide (or throw away)
the scale - a scale is the only ingredient you need for a recipe for
disaster when it comes to self improvement. Hide it. Throw it away and don’t
think about it. You have more important things to worry about than your weight.
If you feel great on the inside, then it will show on the outside, regardless
of what that darned scale says.
7. Stop Smoking -
quitting is hard; not quitting is even harder. If you are a smoker, start small
and get the help you need. Limiting your cigarette intake is the first step to
a healthier you and an improved lifestyle.
8. Aim for 30 - 30
minutes of exercise each day is recommended by health professionals. This
includes simple changes to your lifestyle like incorporating a walk into your
evening activities, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and riding your
bike to work once and a while.
9. Stretch -
stretching can keep your muscles feeling relaxed and also helps to relieve
stress.
10. Follow the food guide
- The health professionals made the daily food chart for a reason. Try to get 2
servings of fruit, five servings of fruit, dairy and protein each day.
11. Reward yourself (in
moderation) - a weekly treat is necessary for all your hard work to remain
healthy. Treat yourself to something you love like low fat ice cream or
chocolate. On the path to self improvement, there is always time to stop and
eat dessert.
12. Accept the aging process
- many people have trouble coming to terms with their body’s changes as they
age. It’s important to understand that aging is a natural process. Learn to
love your wrinkles, your grey hair and your less-than-tight skin. George Clooney,
Harrison Ford, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone and Brad Pitt are all over 40, and they
have never looked better!
13. Limit your alcohol
intake - having a glass of wine with dinner is fine, however, when you are
drinking a bottle of wine a night, or, even worse, binge drinking, then you are
causing serious damage to your body. If you are going to drink, drink
responsibility. Make sure you have a designated driver or cab ride and drink
plenty of water throughout the night.
14. Don’t neglect your
oral hygiene - make it a habit to brush, floss and use sugar-free,
alcohol-free mouthwash daily. Make a trip to the dentist once a year too. No
one likes going to the dentist- but no one wants to lose his or her teeth
either.
15. De-stress -
remaining healthy is not just about go, go, and go. You also need to stop,
relax and re-stress. Stress is unavoidable at some times. The best way to deal
with stress is to push away from it for a few minutes, let your body relax, and
then tackle it head on.
16. Invest in Sleep -
you don’t need us to tell you how important sleep is. This is why it’s a good
idea to reward yourself at night with expensive sheets, a perfectly firm
mattress and cosy down covers. Your bed is your battery recharger. Make sure
it’s in tip-top condition.
17. Get creative with
food - variety is the spice of life, and this couldn’t be truer than in the
kitchen. Share recipes with friends, check online cooking forums and have fun
with your food. You can still eat a healthy (and affordable) diet that doesn’t
just consist of brown rice, grilled chicken and salad. Spice it up!
18. If you get sick, then
be sick - so many people attempt to work through their illness. Stop. If
you are sick, then stay in bed. Getting sick is your body’s way on telling you
that you are working too hard. You will feel better faster if you just accept
the illness and take a break. Plus, you will not be contaminating those around
you.
It’s
not just about your body. In order to improve yourself, you need to improve
your mind, spirit and soul as well.
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