There comes a time in life where we realize that we are no longer invincible. (I know, I know, it hurts to admit.) It could come when we are 8, 18, or even 80 years old, but we suddenly start wanting to take our health more seriously and stay healthy for longer. Here are some of the things you can begin to do at the end of this year to look after yourself and put your health before everything else.
Aid your senses
Our senses are the way we make sense of the world around us. Our sight allows us to see vivid colors and the faces of the people we love. Our hearing allows us to enjoy music, birdsong and chat with our family and friends. Taste allows us to have favorite foods and drinks… It is important to start looking after our senses now to stop them deteriorating sooner than we want. If you have problems seeing clearly, get an eye exam for glasses or contact lenses, if you can’t hear as well as you used to, use hearing aid features to make things easier. Look after your senses for a happier life overall.
Less stress
Stress is something none of us want to live with, but unfortunately most of us do. Stress can make us feel sick, it can stop us sleeping and it can hurt our relationships, which is why we need to stomp it out of our lives the best we can. Take breaks every once in a while away from work and have time to yourself doing something you enjoy. Take a trip somewhere new and experience more to make your mind open up. There are lots of great ways to reduce stress to make you happier overall.
Be sociable
It is so important as we get into adulthood that we take the time to socialise with our friends and go out with them from time to time. Even those of us who are introverts need to spend some time with our friends! It is far too easy to lose track of friends as we get older, the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months. Make sure that you arrange time every month or so to catch up and see your friends and you will be happier and healthier in life.
Travel
Travel can be amazing for both the soul and the body, and it can be a wonderful way to take years off your age in spirit. If you are feeling in a rut with your life at the moment and you need a way to escape and feel free, pack a bag and travel somewhere new. It can be across the globe or just the next town over! It will be the best thing you can do and your body will thank you for it. Our body thrives off new situations! If you take a chance to explore by walking or biking you’ll end up exercising more when you travel too which is great for your cardiovascular system.
Take time out
As I said about reducing stress from time to time, it is incredibly important for a long and healthy lifespan that we take time away from everything sometime and simply enjoy our own company for a while. This is for extroverts too! If you can one night, arrange for your family to go out so you can have a chance to sit alone by yourself and just relax. It can reduce stress, improve your mood and it can also improve the health of your heart and body in general.
Eat the rainbow
And no, I don’t mean candy. When it comes to eating a better diet, we all know about not eating too many desserts and fast foods and making sure we don’t overdo it with the calories, but did you ever think about paying attention to the color of your food? The next time you come to make a meal make sure you have as many different colored foods on there as possible. Eating this way will ensure you ingest different micronutrients which your body needs to stay fit and healthy, plus, a rainbow colored plate looks much more appealing!
Get moving
Get up from the couch right now and take a walk around the house. When we are sitting down all day due to a job, reading, or watching Netflix, our muscles will start to weaken and our joints get accustomed to that position. If you want to stay fit and healthy throughout your life you need to get up, get moving and stay strong for your heart and every other organ in the body. On top of your regular exercise try to get up and move throughout the day. You could try to set a timer or reminder to stand, stretch, and walk around every hour or so.
Taking these tips won’t give you new superhero powers, but they may help you keep the powers you have in tip top shape. Which of these do you think you need to remember to do the most? I’m pretty awful at eating the rainbow in a day but in a week overall it evens out.
-Kristen
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links, from which I may receive income. All opinions are, as always, my own. While I am an ACE Certified Health Coach I am not a medical professional and the information provided in this post is not to be considered medical advice.
Excellent reminders! Thanks, Kristen!
Such great reminders. Seems like there’s been a lot of press lately about how social connections help you live longer and healthier—I try to remind myself that taking time to relax and see friends is just as important as fitting in a workout!