How to Be Healthy From Head to Toe
Posted February 23, 2017 in Health and Fitness
Photo via Pixabay by Lazare
Staying healthy can be a difficult task these days, as busy as life can be. For many of us, eating right and getting in daily exercise is a chore that has to be planned days in advance, and thinking about the best ways to keep our bodies and minds in good shape is often overwhelming.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of ways to ensure that your mind, body, and soul are in the best shape possible, it just takes a bit of planning and a little resolve. Staying healthy is about more than sticking to a strict diet and doing certain types of exercises; it’s also about making sure you’re stress-free and eating the right types of foods.
Here are a few of the easiest ways to do just that:
Cool Off
On hot days, you’re far more likely to get a headache or migraine than on any other day. Stay cool, and if you feel a headache coming on, sip ice water and keep a cool washcloth on your forehead to minimize the risk of brain pain.
Keep a Cool Head
De-stressing is essential in these stressful times, so make it a point to carve out some quiet time for yourself each day. Whether it’s an hour of reading before bed or waking up twenty minutes early so you can sit in peace with a cup of coffee, making time for yourself outside of the chaos of everyday life is imperative and can keep your heart strong and your mind sharp.
Get Outside
Getting outside in the sun can help you stock up on vitamin D, which is great for teeth, gums, bones, and the immune system. If you throw in some exercise, you can also get the benefit of increasing your melatonin–which helps you sleep–and boosting your mood. Vitamin D has also been shown to reduce the risk of several diseases, including multiple sclerosis, and can even fight off the flu.
Increase Your Vitamin C Intake
Vitamin C is great for your skin and immune system as well as your bones and gums, and it can prevent certain cancers and even the common cold. If you’re a smoker, your need for vitamin C is greater than an average person’s. The easiest ways to get it is through food, such as citrus fruit, apples, dark leafy greens, broccoli, and red bell peppers.
Protect Your Heart
Millions of Americans are at risk for heart disease, so it’s important to keep it healthy with a diet rich in omega-3s (found in fish), nuts, berries, grapes, and good fats. Be sure to start off every day with a healthy breakfast chock full of protein and skip the soda and foods high in cholesterol. You might consider trying the Mediterranean Diet, which is full of plant-based foods, seafood, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and herbs and spices instead of salt.
Watch the Knees
Your knees, ankles, and feet get a lot of wear and tear on an average day, especially if you have a job where you’re on your feet a lot, so it’s important to take good care of them. Walking at a medium pace, wearing good sturdy shoes, and keeping your feet well groomed and moisturized are all great ways to ensure they stay healthy.
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