Our health is one of our most valuable assets. When we’re healthy, we can spend higher quality time with our loved ones, can move around easily, and enjoy going out and having fun. When we’re feeling under the weather, or have been living an unhealthy lifestyle, it’s difficult to find the motivation to do anything.
Perhaps you were in great shape in the past, but over the course of a few months, or years, your health has started to slip. How do you go about getting healthy and feeling younger? Use these simple strategies to put a smile back on your face and add that spring back into your step.
Adjust your Posture
It sounds simple, but even just sitting with better posture will change the way your body feels. Straighten your back, pull your shoulders back, and keep your head up. Learn to get in the habit of paying attention to your posture throughout the day. To get started, it’s helpful to stand against a wall and flatten your back against it. It’s ok if it’s difficult at first. After years of bad posture, you’re retraining your body to maintain the form it’s made to be in.
Get Moving and Increase Mobility
Even if you aren’t an athlete, it’s important to move around each day to get the blood flowing. Take a walk around the neighborhood. Walk up and down a few flights of stairs. Do air squats in the comfort of your own living room. By getting daily exercise, you improve your circulation, heart health, digestion, and strength. Exercise is one of the absolute best things you can do for your body to look and feel younger.
Socialize Every Day
Humans are social animals. For our entire history, we’ve lived in communities where we have regular interaction with our peers. In this day and age, it’s easy to live an isolated lifestyle and go through the usual daily routine. Even if your friends and loved ones don’t live nearby, make it a point to get out and socialize every day. Start by making small talk with the people around you. Strike up a conversation with someone while waiting in line at the grocery store. When in doubt, ask questions. People love talking about themselves, and asking a question is a sure way to get the conversation going.
Eat a Healthy Diet
The food we eat directly affects the way that we feel. When we eat a diet full of sugar, processed carbs, preservatives, and and chemicals, it leads to weight gain, moodiness, and poor health. On the other hand, when our diet is full of vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats, our body is able to repair itself. We feel younger, look fitter, and grow stronger.
Feed your Body What It’s Missing
Go and get a blood test. Often times, when we feel sluggish, it may be the result of micronutrient deficiencies. It’s amazing how quickly you start to feel young again when your body has the proper balance of nutrients. There’s no magic pill, or end-all-be all, but starting with a blood test will show you what’s healthy, and where you need to make improvements.
Practice Daily Gratitude
There’s an ancient Zen philosophy, that says “learn only to be content.” It’s the secret to lifelong happiness. Be content with what you have, rather than focused on what you want. Practice gratitude by saying three things that you’re thankful for every day. They can be simple. I’m grateful for the great weather. I’m thankful for a cup of coffee in the morning. I’m thankful for my loving family. See how easy that is?
