Small Changes for Better Health this Year
Each new year is a great time for new beginnings, and we're all looking forward to a fresh start. Throughout the year, it's easy to let habits that benefit your well-being fall by the wayside, but taking the time to prioritize yourself is incredibly important for your overall well-being. We have a few tips to help you recharge for the new year.
Spend More Time Outside
In addition to getting essential vitamins from the sun, fresh air, and a change of scenery, spending time outside, especially in nature, is proven to improve our mood. Make it a habit to take daily walks outside with your family or a pet. On the weekends, visit a local park or hiking trail. Not only will the light exercise improve your health, getting out and exploring the environment will give you a connection to nature that all humans need to thrive.
House Plants
Putting plants around your living and working spaces can have positive health benefits. Plants help keep the air around you clean and fresh, which can reduce the transmission of germs and sickness. Plants have also been shown to decrease stress and anxiety, as well as fatigue. These healthy characteristics of plants make them worth the need to care for them. Not to mention, the routine task of watering your plant and keeping it healthy bestows a sense of accomplishment in a small task to propel you forward throughout your day and week.
Limit Your Screen Time
Many of us don't have a choice. We use technology for our careers, schooling, and entertainment. However, staring at a screen for too long can be bad for your eyesight, posture, and mental health. Take a break from the screen. Try not using your phone for the first hour of the day, and putting it away during specific times of the day, like when eating or spending time with others. For entertainment, try playing a game with friends, playing with your dog, or reading a book.
Drink More Water
The benefits of drinking water are so plentiful and beneficial to health, it's a wonder that many people don't drink the suggested amount of water. Water not only increases your hydration and overall health, but it can also rid your body of toxins and help to balance your blood sugar. Dehydration can result in headaches and heightened sensitivity to stress, so drinking more water can actually make you feel better compared to when you don't. Drinking enough water can also have a positive effect on your outward appearance, with proper hydration resulting in healthier skin.
Keep Your House Clean
Not only does keeping your home clean reduce illnesses by cleaning frequently touched surfaces, but it also reduces stress. You know that feeling you get when everything is organized and in its place? That feeling is really a reduction in anxiety and stress caused by the disarray and clutter of an unorganized home. You'll always be able to find what you're looking for, and when someone comes over, you won't have to rush to make your home presentable.
Get More Sleep
Most adults require between six and eight hours of sleep, but it's not uncommon for lots of people to get less. Sleep is also the time that the body completes a lot of internal repairs and functions and not getting enough sleep may result in your body falling behind on those repairs and functions. Getting the right amount of sleep is a major factor in staying healthy, as sleep affects almost every aspect of your health. Health benefits of getting enough sleep include getting sick less often, reducing stress, and improving overall mood.
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