Small and simple changes to your lifestyle can not only make you healthier, they can also make you happier. Lifestyle changes play a huge part in helping to reduce your risk of developing certain illnesses, such as diabetes and cancer, and can also help you enjoy life more.
From improving your sleep to keeping you moving, there are plenty of ways that you can look after both your mental and physical health. Here are a few simple tips that can help you live a healthier and happier life.
Stay active
Regular exercise helps regulate your energy levels, can play a vital role in joint health, will help you maintain a healthy weight and can alleviate stress. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend hours in the gym; the key is to find an exercise that suits you and can easily fit into your lifestyle.
Walking, swimming and yoga are all great low-impact exercises that can help you get into the habit of staying active. You can also try exercise classes, as these give you an easy routine to stick to, making it less tempting to skip.
Simply incorporating 20-30 minutes of exercise into your daily routine could make a world of difference to your health and wellbeing.
Eat nutritious food
Healthy eating is often tied to weight loss but a nutritious diet is also a key part of a healthy and happy life.
Eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can help ensure you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs. It will also boost your energy levels, help look after your skin, hair and nails, and improve your mood.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a treat now and then, but make sure you do this in moderation.
Get into a sleep routine
Many people believe they can run on a small amount of sleep each night, but in reality, not getting around eight hours of sleep each night can leave you running on empty. Getting into a sleep routine will help train your body to drift off to sleep more easily and wake up more energised.
A good diet and exercise can help make falling asleep easier, but there are lots of other things that can stop you from sleeping well. Avoiding screens for at least an hour before bedtime, not watching television in your bedroom and restricting caffeine to the morning are effective ways to encourage better sleep.
As you start to sleep more, you’ll likely find that your energy levels and mood improve and you feel more motivated.
Make time for yourself
Modern lifestyles are busy, which can leave you feeling frazzled. A big part of looking after your health is to make sure you get some time to yourself.
Setting aside a small amount of time each day can help you feel less stressed and happier. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time; even just half an hour to read a book, enjoy a nice bath or watch an episode of a show you enjoy.
You could also combine taking time for yourself with one of our other tips to make the most of your available time eg walking to your favourite cafe in the morning for a drink so you get in your daily exercise and some time alone.
See friends and family
While it’s good to have some time alone, it’s equally important to spend time with friends and family. Spending time with those you love has a big effect on your quality of life and can help you engage in a more active lifestyle.
Your emotional wellbeing is just as important as your physical health and a good group of friends and/or your close family can be an important part of that. Whether you see each other in person or enjoy a regular catch up on the phone, your loved ones play an important part in a happy and healthy life.
