Life can throw a lot of unexpected things at you. Losing a job, experiencing water damage at home, getting into a car accident when someone cuts you off, and more can happen out of the blue, among many other scenarios. When you think about it, very few things are under our control as we go about our daily habits.
Even your health can have some unexpected circumstances. Maybe your family’s genetics put you at a higher risk for certain diseases. Perhaps a virus catches you and puts you out of commission for a few weeks. There is a multitude of factors that can affect your health that are beyond your control, but there are also elements that you CAN control.
Developing daily habits that support total body health is a practice that helps you take ownership of your wellness. While you cannot prevent every adverse scenario from occurring, you can be proactive with your well-being. Here are some new routines you can try to support your health.
Start Bringing a Large Water Bottle Along
Hydration is vital to health. Your cells need water to maintain their structure to perform their functions. Your blood needs it to help carry nutrients throughout the body. But most people need to drink more water each day. The recommended amount of water for an individual to drink is half an ounce to an ounce per pound of body weight.
For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you should be drinking 90 to 180 ounces each day. That sounds like a lot, especially if you have yet to be hydrating well to this point. But the benefits far outweigh the perceived costs of doing so.
The easiest way to adjust to this routine is to purchase a large water bottle that tells you how many ounces it holds and bring it with you wherever you go. This makes tracking your hydration much easier and gives you clear goals for water consumption.
Eat Healthier Foods
Diet is perhaps the most significant determining factor for health. Eating a diet with little nutrition starves your cells of the supplies they need to function efficiently, negatively affecting parts of your body. Conversely, a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and dairy delivers the vitamins and minerals needed to supply your cells.
Plus, some foods can improve your mood and benefit your mental health and physical health, such as nuts, blueberries, and air-popped corn. Start putting healthier items on your grocery list and adjust your meals so that they are more balanced in the future to support total body health.
Add Dietary Supplements
This habit works most effectively when paired with a healthy diet. Food provides the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs. You may want to give your cells an extra boost of nutrients to augment what a balanced diet already provides.
This would be the perfect reason to start taking dietary supplements. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, for example, may help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and age-related eye disease. One thing to note is that supplements should not be used as a replacement for certain foods unless you cannot eat those foods for one reason or another.
Food is always the best source of nutrients, and supplements can only boost those levels. Researching and seeking guidance from a healthcare professional before incorporating any supplements into your daily routine is important.
Head to Bed Earlier
This change is a simple yet very effective practice. Sleep is incredibly important, giving your cells a chance to restore themselves. The brain needs sleep as well to re-energize for the next day’s activities. Going to bed a little earlier gives you more flexibility with your morning routine and makes it more likely that you will get a sufficient amount of sleep.Â
Maybe you can start waking up earlier so you can slow down the rush of the morning routine. Sleep benefits not only your physical health but your mental well-being as well. It can put you in a better mood to start the day and give your body the shot of energy to match that mood.
Head to bed a little earlier, stay off the screens for a while before attempting to drift off, and try reading a book to make yourself tired a little faster. Adopting this nightly ritual promotes better sleep quality and sets a positive tone for the following day.
By prioritizing rest, you’re equipping yourself to face daily tasks with renewed energy and a clearer, more focused mind.
Final Words
If you are serious about taking more control of your life, then health is a great area to focus on. You only get one body in this life, and treating it well will help you maintain mobility, individuality, and the ability to continue doing the activities you love for years.
Drinking more water, eating healthier, taking supplements for additional nutrients, and getting more sleep are easy habits to adopt that will support total body health. Do some research online to discover what other practices you could engage with to continue pursuing a healthier lifestyle.
