When was the last time you sat down and took care of your health? Most people don’t pay much attention to their health until it’s too late, but this habit could be costing you in several ways. By taking small steps every day to improve your health, you can live longer and look and feel better than ever before. This guide will show you how to take care of your health by improving nutrition, staying active, managing stress, and more.
Switch on Airplane Mode
Switching on airplane mode while you sleep can save you precious hours of battery life. As well as helping you get through that night, it also means that no one can call or message you in case of an emergency—your parents will thank you! It’s worth considering turning on airplane mode throughout your waking hours as well. If it helps, turn off all notifications on your phone so that you don’t keep checking to see if there are any new messages or updates.
Wake Up Early
A study out of Stanford University found that people who set their alarm clocks earlier were more likely to get up and go—and more likely to stick with their exercise program. If you’re struggling to fit in fitness, be sure your wake-up time isn’t sabotaging your best intentions. And, while it may seem counterintuitive, don’t hit snooze; some research suggests hitting snooze can actually leave you feeling worse about starting your day early.
Use Fidget Toys
Using fidget toys like stress balls and squeeze balls can help relieve stress and prevent it from triggering physical symptoms. Squeezing these toys helps strengthen your fingers, hands, and wrists—all while you’re in class, working at your desk, or on public transportation.
Deep Breathing
It’s easy to forget about how important it is to breathe deeply. The thing is, our bodies run on oxygen, and it’s not nearly as abundant in our environment as we think it is. Air-quality warnings and pollution are prevalent, so why would you assume there’s enough air in your area? If you want to stay healthy, breathing deeply can be a big factor in keeping pollutants out of your body and ensuring adequate amounts of oxygen.
Practice Mindfulness
As you go about your day, it’s easy to get lost in thought. The meditation practice gives us an opportunity to pause and observe how we’re feeling right now, whether we’re stressed or relaxed, happy or sad. And unlike many other forms of exercise, it doesn’t require any equipment—you just need yourself.
Smile – it makes you happy!
Smiling can make you feel happier. Whether you do it because you’re trying to fake it ‘til you make it or because you really are genuinely happy, smiling can help boost endorphins in your brain and in turn, improve mood.
Sleep Well (in a Dark Room!)
Being deprived of sleep can lead to weight gain. One study found that among women with insomnia, those who slept in dark rooms (versus those who slept in light ones) were twice as likely to be obese. Make sure you get enough restful Zs—and turn off those glaring overhead lights when you go to bed!
Drink Water
Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You may have heard that you should be drinking eight glasses per day, but if you don’t get enough exercise, you might only need six. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol can both dehydrate you, so try to avoid them. The best way to ensure that you’re getting enough water is to invest in a reusable bottle and keep it with you all day long.