The journey to self-improvement often implies big commitments and sacrifices. But, in this post, we won’t talk about making huge leaps. In here, we will talk about small, easy, but meaningful changes you can make in your life and see the magic happen.
If you take just a couple of minutes out from your schedule and incorporate these easy steps/ways coupled with the inclusion of a few easily available spices/herbs – that’s really all you need to improve your health drastically.
Here they are –
1. Don’t forget to stretch before/after exercise
Stretching exercises eliminate risks of injury while also making your body more pliable. Focus on the main muscle group you would be using during the exercise. For instance, you might want to focus on quads, calves, hamstrings, and glutes if you are going for a run or lower-body exercise. Post workout or maintenance stretches are equally, if not more, important than pre-workout stretches. They help move excess lactic acid buildup from the muscles and also ease the soreness many experiences after the workout. Post-workout stretches also help muscles get back to their original length.
Hold your maintenance stretches for 10-15 seconds while pre-workout stretches should be held for 10 seconds.
2. Eat More Vegetables
Vegetables are naturally free from fat, cholesterol, calories, and sodium – basically, all the contributory factors that lead to diseases. Vegetables fight the whole spectrum of chronic diseases such as heart problems and even several forms of cancer. They are perfect for keeping your body weight and blood pressure in check. Fibrous vegetables keep you feeling fuller for longer periods of time thus avoiding the need to binge or eat junk.
If you are not a big fan of how vegetables taste, then don’t worry – you can turn them into snacks. Peel off celery sticks or grab a carrot and dip it in ranch, hummus, or some other interesting healthy mix. You can also steam or stir-fry them and then lace them with barbecue sauce for better taste. Aim for 5 small servings in a day.
3. Exercise Regularly
You don’t have to make huge commitments. Just spending anywhere between 20 minutes to half an hour every day should suffice to begin experiencing a positive transformation in your health. The idea is not to exhaust yourself but to keep yourself mobile and energetic enough for the day. Once your body gets accustomed to daily movement, you won’t be able to resist the urge to go exercising. It’s all about getting into the habit. Start off small and before you know, exercise will have become a part of your daily routine.
If you are just starting out, going for a jog or a brisk walking or even a couple of stretching exercises should do you good. As you go out and connect with nature, you will feel more elevated, enthusiastic, and energized to get on with the day.
4. Quit smoking
Smoking kills! it really is as simple as that. It’s common knowledge that smoking invites myriad health problems – most commonly mouth and lung cancer. If you are a chronic smoker who finds it difficult to curb the urge, you can try from a host of solutions. For example, you can try the nicotine patch or even e-cigarettes. These quick fixes should help surpass your cravings for smoking. The key is having the DESIRE to want to quit. As long as you are determined to better your health and life, quitting smoking should be an effortless undertaking.
5. Keep your weight under check
The easiest way to find if your weight is under check is to check your BMI. Take your weight in kg and divide it by your height in cms. If the result is anywhere between 19 to 25 you are healthy. A BMI above 25 means you’re overweight and below 19 is underweight.
To keep your weight in check – drink plenty of water, get quality sleep, eat vegetables, exercise regularly and you should be good to go. But, most importantly, always be happy!
Those were some easy ways to be healthy. Let’s now talk about some herbs and spices to include in your diet for healthy living –
1. Chamomile
This herb is a natural relaxant. In fact, drinking chamomile tea right before bed helps put you to sleep. You can mix this herb with green vein kratom powder. Kratom is popular for its natural relaxing and analgesic properties. Adding chamomile to this mix should substantiate those benefits and make the drink more potent.
2. Cinnamon
This spice is loaded with antioxidants and carries anti-inflammatory properties. It helps balance sensitivity to insulin, lowers blood sugar levels, and even fights fungal infections. It wards off heart diseases. The best way to consume cinnamon is to add it to warm drinks (milk, green tea) and even in soups.
3. Basil
Basil has anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting, immune-boosting, pain relieving, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. Not only that, but it’s also rich in antioxidants and helps fight stress and depression. You can either eat the leaves raw, brew it and make a nice tea, or add them in while cooking.
4. Dandelion
Dandelion root is known to reduce cholesterol, aid weight loss, and promote liver health. It’s perfect for keeping blood pressure in check. The best way to consume this herb is in the form of organic dandelion green tea.
Final Thoughts
All of these tips are super easy to make a part of your daily life. You don’t have to start with all nine of them. Try out a couple or a combination of them and slowly work your way into incorporating all of those. Happy Living!