It seems that the covid pandemic dawned a new era of healthy living. More people are looking at their hygiene and immune system than ever before. And the supplement and health companies are banking off it. However, the quickest way to get healthy right now doesn’t have to be complicated or come in an expensive package. In fact, many marketed health and weight-loss products are nothing more than snake oil. The truth is that you can swiftly restore your body’s health by adding simple healthy behaviors into your daily routine. From hydration to mentality, here are four things you can do to get healthier right now.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to get healthy fast and stay that way. Water helps your body function properly, maintains your skin’s elasticity, and increases your overall performance. Water also helps regulate body temperature and lubricates joints.
If you are dehydrated, you may have an uncomfortable stomach, and your brain may work slower. In addition, dehydration can lead to weight gain and a higher risk of stroke. Dehydration can also affect your heart rate, energy, ability to concentrate, your decision-making abilities.
The Mayo Clinic recommends the following water intake protocol: 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women. This can vary depending on age and activity level, but it’s a great reference point. Furthermore, experts suggest drinking 2 cups of water immediately in the morning. This helps to compensate for the lack of hydration while you are asleep.
One easy way to stay hydrated is always bringing a reusable water bottle. Once you start staying hydrated, you will be amazed at how good you feel. And that water bottle will quickly become a part of your standard accessories. So buy a nice one—you are going to be seeing it a lot.
Aside from drinking water, you can also consume other beverages to replenish your body’s fluids and stay hydrated. But drinks with added sugars or high amounts of salt can dehydrate your body. Instead, choose beverages that are low in calories and sugar. Other hydration methods include eating foods that have high water content. These foods include cucumbers, bell peppers, watermelon, and spinach. Some fruits and vegetables contain up to 80 percent water!
Clean Hands
Hands are one of the most common places for germs to enter your body. They can be spread through touch, sneezing, coughing, and touching your eyes. Viruses such as flu, colds, and whooping cough are most often transmitted through hand-to-hand contact. So avoiding germs is a vital way to get healthier right now.
A study by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that the average hand has 150 species of bacteria. While some bacteria are good for you and help fight germs, many are not. Germs can live on surfaces for days, so it is important to disinfect your hands thoroughly.
The best way to keep your hands from becoming contaminated is to wash them regularly. Even when you are at home, keeping your hands clean can keep you healthy right now. Remember that good-smelling and pretty soaps are nice, but if they aren’t antibacterial, then they aren’t killing any germs.
Using hand sanitizer is also an effective way to prevent germs from entering your body. However, it is essential to use a safe product that contains no more than 60 percent alcohol. This is because alcohol-based sanitizers can further dry out your skin.
While you’re at it, consider wiping down the most-used surfaces in your home to prevent the spread of germs. We don’t think much about doorknobs, sink handles, or the refrigerator door. But there are lots of germs lurking on those surfaces your family touches regularly. This, too, does not need to be an expensive endeavor. You can make your own cleaning products and save yourself as a bundle.
Eat Better
It’s no secret that eating better can make us healthier, but that doesn’t mean we have to completely change our lifestyle or spend extra money on organic items. Cutting out processed foods and adding whole plant foods can significantly affect our diet and health.
The most effective way to eat better is to avoid processed foods. These foods typically contain preservatives, artificial ingredients, and excessive salt. Processed foods are also low in nutrients. Unfortunately, they make up the majority of foods in our supermarkets and are bad for your health. So cutting out processed foods can make a huge difference in your overall health.
Another big way to get healthy right now by eating better is to eat whole plant foods. They are an excellent replacement for processed food. Whole plant foods are packed with antioxidants, micronutrients, and fiber. Compared to animal-based foods, these are less likely to increase cholesterol levels and are lower in saturated fat. Plant-based foods have also been shown to reduce the risk of several major illnesses and can help reduce the risk of chronic disease. Many people wrongly assume that fresh fruits and veggies are too expensive. But this is simply not true! Eating healthy is cheaper than you think!
Exercise Daily
If you’re not getting enough exercise in your day-to-day routine, you might be jeopardizing your health. Exercise boosts your mood, reduces stress, and improves your overall well-being. It may even help you live longer. Exercise is a great way to increase your confidence too. Having a little self-confidence goes a long way when it comes to improving your day-to-day life. Exercise can also make you happier. You might be surprised by the difference a few minutes a day can make in your everyday routine.
The good news is that you don’t have to hit the gym to benefit from the exercise that suits you best. Even a little bit of physical activity can go a long way in getting healthier right now. A simple nightly walk or a 10-minute YouTube video-guided workout daily will do wonders for your body. There are plenty of ways to get in shape without expensive equipment or memberships.
Mental Health
Everything we mentioned so far can significantly improve your mental health. But mental health may be the biggest way to get healthy right now. When you think happy, you feel good. Hydration, diet, and exercise are excellent ways to get healthy, but you can do many other things regularly to improve your well-being.
One of the best ways to improve mental health is to practice a positive attitude. It can increase your alertness and reduce your stress. Meditation can also be a helpful tool. Just a few minutes a day can help you get calm and relaxed. Try to do it before you go to bed for better sleep.
Sleep is a huge part of mental health and health in general. Not enough sleep can lead to depression, fatigue, and a decline in cognitive function. It is recommended that adults get seven to nine hours of quality sleep every night.
Creative outlets are also powerful for mental health. Hobbies like painting or crafting can do wonders for the way you feel. Playing an instrument, writing, or anything that gets your creative juices flowing also works great.
Implementing these healthy habits into your daily routine can make a big difference. Getting healthy right now is easy once you get used to it. By adding these simple things to your life, your new mindset will help you to see other ways to live healthier too. Remember that it doesn’t take a lot of money and a hundred products to get where you want to be. Small changes in your hydration, hygiene, exercise, and diet can improve your mental health and make you healthier overall right away.
