Rushing around, full schedules…in today’s society we live a fast-paced lifestyle, when the majority of us are craving a healthy, happy and calm life.
Did you know that it only takes a few small adjustments to our day-to-day to help us lead healthier and more productive lives? Here you will find the most important keys.
1. Exercise
Physical activity helps control weight, maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, and reduces our risk of hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.
It is important to find exercises that we truly enjoy, as opposed to strenuous challenges. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking 5 or 6 days a week is a good starting point.
2. Eat a healthy diet every day
This habit includes foods such as fruits and nuts and avoids sugary drinks and snacks. It is very important to not skip breakfast since it gives us energy to start the day. If you are unsure of which diet plan to follow, we recommend the Mediterranean Diet, which is based on the balanced combination of different food groups (olive oil as main fat, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, cheeses and yogurt, fish, bread and wheat products and a moderate consumption of wine and meat).
3. Portion control!
Don’t forget about portion control. Always choose higher amounts of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, and consume smaller portions of high-calorie foods that contain large amounts of sugar and fat.
4. Always stay hydrated
Sufficient water intake is essential to keep our bodies hydrated. We need to drink an average of 2 liters of water daily. Do you know that you can use devices like smart water bottles or apps that will remind you to hydrate, which would help you develop and maintain this habit?
5. Don’t neglect dental hygiene
Organizations such as the American Heart Association recommend flossing to prevent bacteria produced by dental plaque from entering into the bloodstream, which is associated with inflammation that blocks veins and arteries and causes heart disease.
6. Sleep
Sleeping is fundamental for our well-being. While we sleep, our brains restore our neural networks so that they can function properly when we wake up. We recommend following a daily sleep routine and sleeping seven to nine hours each night.
7. Keep your stress under control
While stress is part of our daily lives, it is important to know how to control it in a healthy way. To keep it at bay, we recommend you do yoga, meditate and exercise.
8. Strengthen personal relationships
Along with the rest of these keys, we can’t forget to strengthen our personal relationships: call your friends, gather your family members together and organize a lunch or dinner with them. Any time is a good time to share confidences, experiences and have a laugh with those who matter most.
These are our keys to a healthy life. Now it’s up to you. Slowly put them into practice.