3 Easy Ways to Improve Your Health Today

Here are three easy ways you can improve your health today, without completely overhauling your diet or starting an insane fitness routine.

I have three simple things you can do today to improve your health. Not everything has to be so hard, yet often times we make healthier choices seem so much harder than they have to be. To quote the great poet Avril Lavigne, “Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated?” I’ll stop now. I’m embarrassed. 

But on a more serious note, it is true that the key to making healthy habits stick for the long run is to break them into small, achievable steps. When you make one (or three…) small, achievable behavior change at a time, it is less daunting and you are able to build upon each habit without feeling overwhelmed or like you need to overhaul your entire life. So without further adieu, here are three easy ways you can improve your health TODAY.

So without further adieu, here are three easy ways you can improve your health TODAY.

Get a water bottle, and take it with you everywhere you go. 

I’m sure you can guess where I’m going with this one. Drink. More. Water. Our bodies are composed of about 60% water. If we don’t keep our fluid balance on point, things can get ugly – fast. Staying hydrated keeps your appetite in check (no mistaking thirst for hunger), your digestion running smoothly (gotta do it) and can help you power through your workouts (later, cramps). An even bigger bonus? Staying hydrated can also help you feel more alert since fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of dehydration. So if you’re suddenly feeling sluggish after a good night’s sleep, start sipping.

I know, it can be really easy to forget to drink enough water and sometimes plain water is really boring, but there are ways to make it fun! One time, some co-workers and I had a water-drinking accountability competition to see who could hit their water targets first each day for a week (I won, obviously). Whether you compete with friends, infuse your water with some of your favorite flavors, or pretend like it’s wine – DRINK UP BUTTERCUP. No excuses. Play like a champion. 

 

Get to steppin. 

Movement is mandatory. You need to move your body at some point, every day. I’m not saying you need to pull a Forest Gump and run across the country non-stop. I’m also not saying you need to go balls to the wall and break down every muscle in your body on the daily. I’m just saying, at several points throughout the day you need to get up and move for a few minutes. It’s what our bodies were designed to do, and regular movement helps us thrive. The easiest way for most people to do this is by walking. 

An individual who increases their number of steps by just 2,000 additional steps each day can lower their risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 10% (source). EXCUSE ME? 2,000 steps? That’s like a 20-minute walk. Oh, and that’s regardless of bodyweight or prior fitness level. That is so doable, and doesn’t require starting a crazy routine or buying a ton of fitness equipment. Even if that means you just take a quick walk on your lunch break, it’s totally doable. Your work (and Instagram feed) will be there when you get back. I promise. 

Add to, don’t subtract from, your diet.

When making dietary changes, the first thing many people think of is what they are no longer going to eat. Carbs, dairy, gluten, sugar, the list goes on. I have a different approach. Instead of deciding what you’re going to cut out, try one new nutritious food today. Seriously. Serve a side of kale salad with your dinner if you never have before, or roast up some brussels sprouts if you haven’t had them since you were a kid (and secretly spit them out). Slowly incorporate more healthy ingredients into your meals one at a time, and soon enough the foods you need less of will kindly excuse themselves from your diet. 

So let’s recap. 1) Get a big water bottle and sip throughout the day. 2) Get up and go for a walk. 3) Introduce one new-to-you healthy ingredient to your diet today. 

See? Avril was right – we don’t have to make things so complicated. 

Your Turn:

• What are some of your favorite easy ways to show your body some love?
• What are your top healthy living tips?