Let’s be honest. You live a busy life. You have to work, run errands, and perform a plethora of other tasks every single day. And as hectic as your life seems, you may not feel as healthy or energized as you once did.
Despite how busy your life is, though, you can still develop a few habits now to feel healthier and increase the amount of energy you have each day.
It’s time to stop feeling sluggish and instead feel enthused and ready to tackle each day. Below, we’ve listed several habits you can develop to improve your overall health. Read on to discover how you can easily incorporate healthy living into your daily routines.
1. Schedule Preventive Exams
Perhaps the most important habit to develop is consistently scheduling preventive exams with your health care provider and dentist. Even if you don’t feel sick and you keep your teeth in pristine condition, these exams often reveal underlying issues that you likely won’t notice on your own.
Your doctor will perform a series of exams to review your overall health. Some of these exams include:
- An EKG to examine your heart’s condition
- A physical exam specific to your gender and age
- A skin screening to determine your risk for developing skin cancer or other skin conditions
- A test to check your lungs’ condition
Your doctor may also take blood samples to check your cholesterol and check for any abnormalities.
Likewise, your dentist examines and cleans your teeth and mouth to ensure your oral health is in good condition. Some general health conditions can even have oral side effects that your dentist can pinpoint during a routine checkup.
As you routinely participate in preventive dental and health screenings, you reduce your risk for medical issues from advancing. If a health care professional discovers any issues, he or she can provide you with the appropriate kind of treatment so you can stay healthier for longer.
2. Stand Up Rather Than Sit Down
When you sit down for long periods of time, you can develop poor posture and can negatively impact your overall health. If you work a desk job, invest in a standing desk. Or, take a few breaks during the day to walk around your office building.
Do whatever you can to get moving and to avoid sitting for long periods of time. A two-minute walk inside your building lets you stretch your muscles and adjust your posture. And if you stare at a computer screen all day, these breaks prevent you from straining your eyes.
Additionally, these small walks throughout the day allow you to exercise more, which could help you in any weight-loss or exercise goals you may have.
3. Drink Plenty of Water
You love to start your morning with a hot cup of java or drink an ice-cold Coke on your lunch break. While drinking these beverages in moderation is a healthy habit, you should also drink plenty of water throughout the day.
In fact, many experts recommend that adults drink between 64 and 100 ounces of water each day. As you drink more water, you’ll stay hydrated. And your body and skin greatly benefit from regular water intake.
Some benefits you can experience include:
- Clearer mental focus
- Fewer toxins in your body
- Reduced hunger
- Increased metabolism
- Regular digestion
- Boosted immune system
Overall, the more you drink water, the healthier you’ll feel. Try switching out one cup of coffee or one soda a day for a glass of water. To further increase your water intake, drink one glass of water before each meal.
4. Change Your Diet
Prepackaged and precooked foods seem like a miracle invention today. And take-out or drive-thru restaurants are a great convenience. However, eating out too much or eating too many processed foods can greatly impact your health and how you feel both physically and mentally.
You don’t have to cut junk food or take out completely out of your diet. Instead, substitute other foods and meals a few times a week. Also, include a small side of fruit and veggies with a couple of meals each week. Try eating leaner meats or seafood packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
These foods contain necessary vitamins, minerals, and fats your body needs to function. And since these foods contain fewer chemicals and processed ingredients, you can more easily maintain a healthy weight.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Getting eight hours of sleep each night may seem like a challenge. But for your mind and body to function normally and at their full capacity, you need to get enough sleep each night. On average, an adult needs between seven and a half and nine hours of restful sleep a night.
About an hour before bedtime, do calm activities to help you relax. The more relaxed you are before bed, the faster you can fall asleep and reach you REM cycle-and the more rested you’ll feel in the morning.
To live a healthier life that reasonably fits your busy schedule, use the tips we’ve listed in this blog. Remember to visit your health care provider annually and your dentist every six months for preventive care. Additionally, work closely with your dentist and primary care physician to maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve your health and wellbeing.
