Steps to Happier, Healthier, Productive Lifestyle

Healthy Living 101 – Steps to a Happier, Healthier, and More Productive Lifestyle

Our energy, like many other things in life, is a limited resource. As such, it needs to be managed wisely. Just like poor financial and lifestyle choices can leave you feeling depleted, poor management of your own energy can lead to you feeling sluggish and overwhelmed.

There are various factors that influence how much energy you have to spend. These include everything from the quality of food and sleep you provide your body with to the levels of stress you’re exposed to on a daily basis. The trick is to find a balance between these factors and figure out ways to increase your energy levels. With that in mind, here are five steps you can take to ensure a happier, healthier, and more productive lifestyle.

Get on the move
Exercising to make yourself more energetic and productive may sound counter-intuitive. Plus, it’s probably not something you want to do when you’re feeling tired and overwhelmed. But did you know that engaging in regular physical activities actually boosts your energy levels along with your mood? When we exercise, our heart rate goes up, our blood flow improves, and endorphins ­­– the happiness hormones – are released.

Other than helping us both feel and look good, a good workout session can also boost our heart health. This is especially true for aerobic exercises which help reduce risk of heart disease by lowering our cholesterol and blood pressure, boosting circulation, and keeping the extra pounds at bay. Ideally, you should be aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. It can be anything from walking and jogging to swimming and cycling. Try different things, find what you like, and get on the move.

Nourish your body with the right food

Our body is a mechanism that requires a wide range of nutrients (more than 40 of them) to function properly. Since no one food item provides all these nutrients, it’s important that we eat foods from various food groups.

Focus on eating healthy, unsaturated fats, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein, and nutrient-dense fruits, veggies, and leafy greens. These foods are key components of a balanced diet, and they’ll provide you with optimal energy while supporting your overall health. You should also consider including supplements such as aloe supplement that are quite effective in boosting the immune system. These supplements are particularly helpful to individuals suffering from Crohn’s disease, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, and acid reflux. On the plus side, they come in the form of capsules and powder which makes it easy to include them into your diet and start reaping the benefits they bring.

Catch enough ZZ’s every night
We’re all aware of the importance of sleep for our mental and physical health. Getting enough sleep each night makes us more focused on work, allowing us to accomplish more during our work day.

Still, many of us aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep that’s necessary for our body to function properly. Whether it’s excessive screen time, stress, or insomnia that interferes with your sleep, do your best to eliminate these disruptors. That way, you’ll be able to catch more ZZ’s which will allow you to perform at an optimal level.

Develop a positive mindset
Having a positive mindset is something many individuals tend to overlook in their journey towards healthy living. In reality, the thoughts you think and the things you say to yourself largely contribute to your overall well-being.

Studies show that individuals who tend to think positively display lower stress levels and improved health. Even if you aren’t so good at thinking positively, you can always practice it until it becomes second nature. Start by minimizing negative self-talk, try affirmative thinking, and develop an overall positive attitude. Not only will this contribute to a better physiological and psychological health, but it’ll also help you attract the right people in your life. Which brings us to our final tip…

Keep good company around you
Who you choose to surround yourself also contributes to how content you are with your current lifestyle. Being around people you don’t particularly enjoy spending time with or don’t relate to can be quite draining. The negative thoughts, constant complaints, and other forms of negativity these people tend to display only take up your precious mindspace. To free up your energy, reevaluate your circle and recognize toxic relationships. Then, let go of them.

To ensure personal growth, focus on connecting with those who energize you and make you want to be around them. Be very selective about who you let into your life as they all have a significant effect on you.

Wrapping up
The truth is, very few adults can confidently say that they’re leading a healthy lifestyle and spending their energy wisely. Fortunately, we can all change and adopt some healthy habits that will boost our health and our quality of life.

Keep these tips in mind as you embark on your journey towards a healthier lifestyle and you’ll manage to set yourself up for success and a longer, happier, healthier, and more productive life.