There comes a stage in all our lives when we have to take a minute to stop and reflect. Have we got everything that we want in life? Have we got all we could have in life? Having a good job, a partner we love and who loves us back, kind and well brought up children, are all achievements to be proud of, but sometimes we can still feel a little empty, as if we’re not fulfilling our true potential. One reason could be that we’re neglecting our own health because of our busy lifestyles, and not working on the self-care that we all need. The fact is that when we feel healthier, we not only have more energy but we feel happier too. That’s why following these eight simple steps, or at least the ones relevant to you, can lead to a healthier and happier life.
1. Get A Better Sleep
Do you sometimes feel irritable, even with those you care the most for, or drained of energy? The primary reason for this could be lack of sleep, and that can affect every aspect of your life, particularly your physical and mental health. Scientists and physicians say that we should aim for six to eight hours of quality sleep per night. If you struggle to achieve this consider replacing your pillow or mattress, install darker curtains, and turn off your smartphone at least half an hour before bedtime; the blue light emitted from screens can disrupt our sleep patterns, so changing your phone usage can change your sleep quality for the better.
2. Reduce Your Alcohol Intake
Many of us live in a culture where it’s seen as normal to have glasses of wine, whether that be on a night out with friends or a nice slurp of red while we’re preparing the evening meal. Ask yourself, however, if you’re drinking too much? A recent study found that there is no safe level of alcohol, so cutting out drinking wine, beer and spirits altogether can have a profound effect on our long-term health and our life expectancy. If you’re not ready to go teetotal yet, try to reduce your alcohol impact steadily, or try swapping wine for fruit juice or alcohol free mocktails.
3. Meditate To Reduce Stress
The pace of life today is faster than it’s ever been before, and the prevalence of social media also puts unreasonable pressure on us to have a perfect lifestyle that is, in reality, unachievable. The result of this is that our lives are very stressful, and that can be a major cause of depression and many physical illnesses. Meditation and activities such as yoga are a great way to combat stress. It’s simply taking time out for you and you alone, putting aside everyday worries, and enjoying a slower pace of life for a moment. If you’ve never tried it before, you can find guided meditations online.
4. Cut Down The Calories
Are you eating more than you really should? A major cause of this is snacking, as that means that you don’t really know how many calories you consume in a day, and they can soon add up. America, like many other countries, is suffering an obesity epidemic, so don’t fall into that trap yourself. Say no to food that’s high in fat and sugar and cut out unhealthy snacks altogether. If you find yourself craving food during the day, a piece of fruit is a healthier alternative to a candy bar or chips.
5. Exercise Daily
Losing weight can completely transform how we look and feel. One key to this is to reduce our calorie count, but the other is to exercise more. Regular exercise can also help to keep our joints and body in great condition, bringing real benefits when we get older. There’s an exercise routine to suit you, whether that means going to the gym, cycling to work, playing a sport or a daily brisk walk. Find one that you enjoy and stick to it.
6. Vape, Don’t Smoke
Smoking is one of the biggest contributors to serious illness and premature death in America, but technology is making it easier than ever to quit. Vaping allows you to smoke e-liquids that don’t come with the harmful additives associated with cigarette smoking, and it’s a solution which is becoming increasingly popular. Expert retailers such as Blazed Vapes sell vape juice in lots of exciting flavors and it can be much cheaper than a regular smoking habit; click for more information on this healthier, more modern, alternative to tobacco.
7. Consider Hypnosis
Do you lack confidence? Hypnosis can help you regain your mojo and find the brilliant you that’s been hiding inside. It can also be a great way to give up smoking, particularly if used in conjunction with vaping, or overcome phobias and anxieties. Look online for qualified and registered hypnotists in your area and talk to them about how they can change your life and your outlook for the better.
8. Spend More Time With Those You Love
The real key to success in life is getting the work/life balance right, but as we all know that can be harder than it sounds. There is one thing that we all love doing more than any other, and that’s spending time with the people we love, especially our children or grandchildren and our partner. Hours spent with them can be the best stress buster of them all, and it also releases the happy hormones oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. Take a look at how much time you spend at work or on the road and try to arrange it so that you spend more time at home, and you and your family will soon reap the rewards.
Stopping smoking by turning to vaping, reducing or stopping your alcohol intake, eating less and exercising more will rapidly change the way you look and the way you feel. These positive effects can then be magnified by spending more time with loved ones and combating stress through meditation, yoga or hypnosis. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be the best version of you that you can possibly be, so start this eight-step program today and you could soon see great results.