10 Simple Ways to Lead a Healthier Life

Your body is a temple; you have to take care of it if you wish to live healthily. No matter what you want to do in life, whether it’s crazy adrenaline pumping activities or just chilling on beaches and in resorts, your body shouldn’t hold you back. Your organs may be working well now but don’t take them for granted. Nurture your body today for a happier tomorrow.
Leading a healthy lifestyle refers to aspects related to your mental as well as physical well-being. A healthy person isn’t one who just eats healthy and exercises regularly. They need to have a positive self-image and attitude towards life too. The term “healthy lifestyle” has been thrown around for years. Magazines have been telling us how we should live if we want to get a body that looks and feels good. Here are a few simple tips you can save, bookmark and tag your friends in to put you on the track to lead a healthier lifestyle!

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Water ensures the efficient functioning of your body. Knowing that 60% of your body is made up of water, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Water is responsible for transporting all the right vitamins to the appropriate cells to facilitate proper working of your bodily systems. Water is instrumental in removing toxins as well. You lose large amounts of water through sweat, urine and bowel movements every day making it necessary for you to replenish the water content of your body.
Water also aids in weight loss. Drinking two to three glasses of water before a meal helps reduce your appetite. It is necessary to drink at least two to three litres of water each day. You can tell how hydrated you are based on the colour of your urine which should be colourless or slightly yellow. Other indicators of dehydration are dry lips, dry mouth and less urination. Grab a bottle of water and start sipping people!

2. Be positive
Several studies have established a strong link between a positive mind and healthy body. Your body tends to believe what you think, which is why being positive helps boost your immune system as well as overall energy levels. Your approach to attaining a healthy life is very important. If you look at eating nutritious food as a burden rather than something that benefits you, the effectiveness of your diet could be hindered.
Do not overwhelm yourself with all the information available out there on the internet. There are thousands of facts and endless researches and diets that can help you lead a healthier lifestyle. Gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo you name it, it’s all there. Pick one that is likely to suit you and work your way around it. Try not to get frustrated if you don’t see immediate changes, you will get the results you wish to see in time. Stay positive!

3. Move your body
We have all heard things like “exercise is great”, and “once you get into it, you can’t go a day without it” from our friends and family who are gym freaks. But we still make excuses. Questions like, “When do I have the time? Where do I start? How do I keep myself motivated? Will I get injured?”, may pop up in your head from time to time.
The answers to these questions are very simple. Make time. Start at home. Set goals. Stick to your plan. Your body needs to be worked and you can do this with the simplest of activities that work up a sweat like walking, gardening, taking your dog for a walk etc. There are many benefits to moving more, such as increased flexibility, joint stability, improved mood and self-esteem, reduced risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes etc. So what are you waiting for? Get up and move that body!

4. All that colour, all that health
Fruits and vegetables come in a variety of colours as you may have already noticed. Fruits and vegetables with bright colours are usually high in anti-oxidants. They protect your body from harmful molecules called free radicals. Many scientists believe that it is these radicals which factor the development of blood vessel diseases, cancer etc.
Eat all the colourful fruits and vegetables you can find. Here are some colours and their respective fruits that you should get your hands on immediately: White (Bananas, Mushroom), Yellow (Pineapples, Mango), Orange (Orange, Papaya), Red (Apple, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelon), Green (Guava, Avocados, Cucumber, Lettuce, Celery), Purple/Blue (Blackberries, Eggplant, Prune.

5.Cut down on processed food
The term ‘processed foods’ doesn’t just refer to food that comes under the category of microwavable meals. They include all those foods which have been altered from their natural states. This is probably the point where you realise that you have been eating more processed foods than you thought. Processed foods include breakfast cereals, cheese, canned vegetables, bread, chips, milk, soft drinks, meat products like bacon and microwavable meals. It would be great if you could shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, and make your meals from scratch. But in the hustle and bustle of your overbooked city lives who really has the time, right? As busy as you may be, here’s why you should try to ditch processed foods for whole foods.
Processed foods have lowered nutritional value as well as added preservatives which are bad for your health. These products tend to be high in salt content which is the leading cause of high blood pressure and heart disease. Most foods you find in the supermarkets are processed. A little hint – the more ingredients a product has on its label, the more processed it is. Watch out for ‘-ide’ and ‘-ate’ (like hydrochloride and phosphate) on the ingredients lists. You should also check if salt or sugar is among the first five ingredients.

6.Eat small meals
You may have thought that eating three times a day is an essential food habit. You may also tend to eat large portions of every meal because you were always told to “eat well”. Unfortunately, that is the wrong way to eat. A great way to reduce weight is to pick and eat several small meals throughout the day rather than three full meals. This helps balance energy distribution – eat when you feel hungry and stop when you feel full.

7. Substitution is the best solution
If you have a sweet tooth and constantly crave those chocolates and ‘jalebis’, well you are digging a very deep hole for yourself. Try switching to sugar-free products and substituting normal sweets for sweet fruits like watermelons and pineapples. Butter is an unhealthy product found in most households. Switch to avocado butter or peanut butter if you are looking for healthier alternatives. There is always a better alternative for every unhealthy food habit you have acquired over the years. All you have to do is find it.

8. Soda and coffee lockdown
Everybody who needs that first cup of freshly brewed coffee in the morning knows how addictive it can be. But it is important to know that drinks with caffeine have diuretics, that increases the speed of urine production in the body. So your colas and coffees do not really add to your mandatory 8-10 glasses of water, in fact, they take away from it. Soda is an artificial stimulant which is a major factor in unwanted weight gain. As much as you might love these drinks they are not good for you. It’s time to make healthier choices – switch to water and vegetables. These will keep you refreshed and energised throughout the day.