Healthy living is an admirable goal no matter the time of year. The problem is that many people shoot for the stars, decide to lose huge amounts of weight or utterly give up on the foods they love. A better approach is to make small changes that together can make a huge impact.
“People who make smart but simple lifestyle changes will find it easier to succeed,” says Dr. Margot Savoy, a family physician practicing in Wilmington, Delaware. “It’s about all the small wins that add up to win a war. If you want to feel your best and make lasting changes, think small for big results.”
Healthy habits only take a couple of minutes a day to complete, but can improve your health and wellness over time. What’s more, he notes that when you do this easy activity for two or three months, it becomes automatic.
Savoy suggests five easy steps for living healthier in 2017 that should take 10 minutes or less to complete.
been informed
Stomach ache? Knee pain? Not sure if it is a cold or the flu? Being healthy means staying informed. When you need more information about your health, visit a respectable website like familydoctor.org to learn more with a few mouse clicks.
Developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), this website features easy-to-understand information aimed toward patients. Plus, all information is reviewed by a panel of certified family doctors, so you can trust that the content is up-to-date and accurate.
Eat well
Eating well is all about balance, and while many Americans strive to eat healthier at mealtimes, it is the snacks that sabotage their diet. When hunger strikes, rather than junk, choose nutrient-rich foods.
One of the best ways to do this is to select one drawer in the fridge and dedicate it to food for healthy snacks. Fill with fruit, vegetables, whole-grain crackers, low-fat cheese and nuts. Spend 10 minutes each Sunday chopping vegetables and passing out nuts and other snacks, and throughout the week you and your family can easily reach for healthier snacks.
Move and groove
You do not need a fancy gym membership to get in shape. Just block out an everyday 10-minute increase in exercise and you will start to feel the difference. Try walking, cycling or doing sets of squats, crunches and jumping jacks. Within minutes you’ll be getting your heart rate up and working those muscles.
If you have kids, join in on the fun with them and you will be surprised how fast you can get a fast workout. A game of tag, for example, is a terrific running exercise. Plus it is a terrific way to bond with your family. Bonus: Your kids learn sports through play. Not sure how to get started? Familydoctor.org is here to help you.
hydration
Everyone knows soda is unhealthy, but for other drinks it is not so clear. Many fruit juices and sports drinks are filled with sugar and calories. Hydration is important, so drink as much water as possible to improve your health.
Staying well hydrated is important to living a healthy life, and since the body is roughly half made of water, there is no better drink than good old H2O. If it is too bland, add some healthy flavors with chunks of fruit, such as oranges, apples, kiwis or strawberries.
Sun protection
The sun emits both beneficial and harmful rays of light. Some sun exposure is nice because it helps the body make vitamin D, which absorbs calcium. However, too much sun exposure can lead to skin changes, decreased immune system, and cancer.
It only takes a minute to apply sunscreen to block harmful rays even in the winter months. Focus on the face exposed year-round, and through the warmer months or while on vacation, make sure to use full-body sunscreen, reapplying it regularly. What’s more, teach kids to do the same to create healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
Article provided by BPT
