What Are The Healthiest Things I Can Do For My Body? 


What are the healthiest things you can do for your body? This is such an important question to ask, after all, we only get one body and the way we look after it will determine the quality of life we're able to have. With so many diseases and illnesses being purely down to unhealthy lifestyle choices, we need to make sure we're making the best choices. Essentially, becoming healthy requires taking care of four general aspects: these are diet, exercise, sleep and mental wellbeing. Read on to find out more.

Diet
As far as nutrition goes, incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet. The recommendation is five pieces a day, but the cultures around the world with the longest lifespans actually eat double this. It can seem daunting but just increase gradually, aim for half of your meals to be fruits or veggies. Try to eat more fatty fish, as these bring omega-3 fatty acids, which lowers the risk of heart disease, and improve your mental health. Check sites like Pinterest for recipe ideas, healthy eating doesn't need to be boring- quite the opposite! Different herbs and spices will make your dishes interesting without the need for added sugar, salt and fat for flavour. 

Exercise
To keep more active, consider swapping your regular desk with a standing one. One of the main reasons for this is that research suggests that sitting for prolonged periods of time leads to a higher risk of developing cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes- even if you're a regular gym goer. It turns out that periods of exercise, even intense exercise can't 'undo' the negative health effects of sitting all day. In addition, incorporate more physical activities with little things, like walking to work instead of driving, if that’s possible. Find a sport or active hobby you enjoy, if you have fun you're more likely to stick with it.  

Mental Wellbeing
To lower down your stress, and enjoy better mental health, consider practicing meditation at least once a day. Just a few minutes can suffice, as it can bring down stress, lower blood pressure and help you to clear your head. There are plenty of studies out there suggesting that meditation can help reduce not only stress, but also anxiety and depression. Spend time socialising with friends, and find hobbies you genuinely enjoy. This can help you to get out of a rut and give you something interesting to spend your free time on. 

Sleep
Finally, make sure you get a good night’s sleep- it's absolutely vital for good health. A comfortable bed with a supportive mattress, the right pillow for your sleep position and cosy covers like Hush Blankets will all contribute to your quality of sleep. Something else you can do in this regard is to stop using technology an hour before going to bed. It appears that the artificial light coming from smartphones, tablets and TVs tricks your brain into believing it is still daytime.