Over the years, I’ve learned how to live a naturally healthy lifestyle. It means not only is my body healthy, but I also have a positive mind-set, a happy relationship and an overall feeling of well-being. Going through the process of changing is never easy, but I had to start somewhere and now I want to share some of my experiences with you. So what does it take to learn how to live a naturally healthy lifestyle? Let’s take a look.
Learn How to Live a Naturally Healthy Lifestyle
Diet
A diet rich in fresh, whole foods is essential in a healthy lifestyle. When available, always choose foods found in its natural state. Fruits and vegetables have high vitamin and mineral content. Whole grains like quinoa and whole wheat bread should be consumed instead of less nutritious white varieties.
Skip fatty meats. Instead choose lean meat and tofu for protein. Select low-fat dairy products. Typically you cannot taste the difference between full fat and low fat varieties.
Drink plenty of water. I still believe in the suggested 8 glasses a day. It helps boost your metabolism throughout the day.
Exercise
Just 15 minutes a day of movement can benefit your health by improving joint stability, increase your range of movement and flexibility, help prevent osteoporosis and fractures and improve your mood while reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean joining a gym. It can be simple things like turning off the TV for an hour and playing outdoors with your kids or taking your dog for a walk.
If you already exercise regularly, add an extra lap in the pool, walk an extra turn around the block, do one more set of reps before quitting. Small increases can make a big difference. I do my regular kickboxing classes in the mornings, and walk during lunch at work. It allows me to get a breath of fresh air and it really feels good.
Chores like shoveling snow, gardening, raking leaves or vacuuming and sweeping the floor are all considered a form of exercise. No one said exercise had to be vigorous all the time. When I’m at home, I spend time with my kitties, spend time gardening outside, and cleaning the chicken coop. It keeps me busy, and if you know me well enough, I like keeping busy.
Pace while talking on the phone, do lunges or jumping jacks during TV commercials. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or park a little farther from the door of the mall.
Vitamins and Minerals
Add nutrient rich vitamin and mineral supplements to your diet. Garlic has been shown to help reduce the risk of many health problems. Cinnamon, peppermint and other herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat problems and maintain good health. Most food in today’s society lacks the needed minerals and vitamins needed to ward off diseases. Consider adding vitamins such as B-complex, E, D and Omega-3 Fish oil to your diet.
Emotional Health
Your emotional health plays a big part in a healthy lifestyle. Tune into your body to learn what causes you stress. Have a healthy social life by avoiding negative people and situations. Relaxation and meditation help release negative emotions. Listen to soothing music, meditate, breathe deep to help reduce stress.
More Benefits
In addition to an overall good feeling, a healthy lifestyle has many benefits. It can help lower hypertension, improve sleep, and reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes. It improves the survival rate of people with head and neck cancer. Nutritious food from a naturally healthy diet can help menopause symptoms.
A naturally healthy lifestyle can lead to a longer and more productive life. You’ll feel less pain, ward off diseases and have energy like you did when you were young. Through homeopathy and other alternative medicines your body and mind can be stronger and healthier for years to come.
Wonderful tips for living a healthy lifestyle. I try to incorporate all of them into my daily life, but I still battle a weakness for chocolate, but that is understandable since I live in Switzerland.
Thank you, Pat. I think indulging here and there is okay, especially with chocolate. 🙂
we just moved from a house in the suburbs where I had to drive everywhere (except for taking long walks in the neighborhood) to an apartment in an urban area. I occasionally take long walks for the sake of walking but now that I sold my car and can only go where my feet or the Metro system take me, I put in a lot of mileage going about every day living. I’ve dropped three or four pounds without really trying and feel better than I’ve felt in a long time.
I agree 100% with you about exercise! 15 minutes is perfect if that is all you can put in. Its better than nothing at all. I enjoy walking as exercise and my schedule is to walk in the morning hours, 30 minutes at least 3 times per week. There simply is no better way to start my day.
I love these tips :). I write on a very similar topic and rally appreciate this little post :).