Basic steps to better health

In our fast paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of too many activities and deadlines, more often than not, at the cost of our health. We all have gone without enough sleep or selected the quick and easy, often not very nutritious, food options in order to complete projects or meet deadlines. This behavior often contributes to you feeling exhausted or sick.

We all know it’s important to take care of ourselves, but are often overwhelmed by the amount of options and information out there on nutrition and exercise. There is so much to choose from that we often feel defeated before we even start. It’s easy to take something simple and complicate it; however, to take something complicated and simplify it is an art. This philosophy also applies to your health and well-being.

Make it simple by incorporating these seven sustainable things into your everyday busy life. By doing this you will begin to support your body’s immune system and reap the benefits of an enhanced quality of life. Choices become habits and although you can’t change overnight, you can change the direction.

A fundamental wellness guide.

1. Hydrate – Realize the power of a well hydrated body. Every cell and organ in your body benefits from hydration. Chronic dehydration is the root cause of many painful degenerative diseases and excess body weight. With proper hydration the body can function optimally, repair, restore and detox the body to a healthier state. Try to drink half your body weight in ounces every day. Amount varies depending on activity level and climate you live in.
2. Sleep – Make sleep a priority. A minimum of seven hours per night is recommended. Everything from lucid thinking and good decision making, to proper digestion and peak performance is heavily dependent on getting good quality sleep.
3. Go green – Every day include some greens in your diet such as spinach, kale, arugula, romaine, collard greens, swiss chard and bok choy. This increases your consumption of alkalizing minerals which combat acidic wastes. Acid wastes lead to inflammation which can lead to disease and illness.
4. Probiotics – For gut health and immunity, consume prebiotics and probiotic rich foods on a regular basis or take supplements. Drink kombucha, eat unsweetened natural yogurt or cultured vegetables including sauerkraut, kimchi and pickles.
5. Movement – A body in motion stays in motion. Play like a kid and engage in some activity for a minimum of 30 minutes every day. Don’t complicate it, this can be walking, dancing or any physical activity you enjoy. Get a friend or family member to join you for accountability. Invest in a wearable device and track your daily step average. Aim to increase the amount each month.
6. Eat raw foods – Uncooked fruits and vegetables retain their full nutrient potential, contain enzymes that aid digestion and mineral-rich water for better health. They are also more hydrating than cooked foods. Plan ahead and prepare raw veggies for snacks.
7. Mindfulness – Burning the candle at both ends makes the candle burnout twice as fast. Take time to breathe, meditate and stretch. Listen to your body’s whispers before they become screams.

All change starts small and require action and most importantly, follow through. Begin by embracing the fact that the human body has not changed. What has changed dramatically is our food and lifestyles. Small changes can result in big shifts. No matter what the situation, you always have a choice.

Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

TVH provides weekly wellness classes, mindfulness classes and monthly speakers to educate and empower employees. Speakers in 2018 include a nutritionist, sleep specialist, mindfulness (Meditation, Reiki and Aromatherapy), coaching on how to read food labels and more.

If you would like to know more about the TVH Nudge Health and Wellness programs, contact Lucy DelSarto, Health & Wellness Coach for TVH Americas. Email networkeditorial@wcinet.com with questions.