Just reading the title “10 tips for a healthy lifestyle” can be horrifying. But don’t worry, this article is not about workout tips and intense, and frankly, very sad diets. A healthy lifestyle is not about deprivation, it’s about balance and discipline, as well as practicing habits that can improve your health and happiness. Read on for 10 tips for a healthy lifestyle that your body will thank you for.
1. Mind Your Smile
There’s a reason your dentist tells you to brush your teeth twice a day, and it’s not solely for aesthetic purposes. According to a 2019 study in the journal Science Advances, brushing your teeth twice a day will prevent cavities, , as well as bacteria that can migrate to the brain and cause Alzheimer’s disease. That should be enough of a warning for you to take seriously.
Brush your teeth with closeup Red Hot Toothpaste, which protects your teeth and gums from bacteria and prevents cavities, while giving you all-day freshness.
On that note, you might also want to avoid the habit of clenching your teeth. This habit, known as bruxism, can make cause tight muscles and jaw pain, as noted in the British Dental Journal. Old habits die hard? You can unlearn this by pressing a fist under your chin, then trying to open your mouth while resisting with your fist. Hold for 10 seconds, then repeat if necessary.
2. Pay Attention to Your Meals
Don’t skip breakfast! It’s important to pay attention to what you eat for breakfast. Oats, bananas, sweet potatoes, pears, and chia seeds are some high-fiber foods that offer many health benefits. A study in the Journal of Nutrition noted that some of the benefits are a healthier heart, a more balanced blood pressure, and a reduced risk of diabetes.
On the other hand, keep your dinner light since digesting food while you’re sleeping is the last thing your body needs. If you want to grab a post-dinner snack, Harvard Medical School suggests waiting 20 minutes, which is the amount of time it takes for your body to realize it’s full.
3. Keep Moving
Burning calories doesn’t just take place at the gym. Any type of movement helps! For example, simply choosing the stairs over the lift daily can slim down your waistline.
A study in the Physiology & Behavior Journal found that 10 minutes of stairwell activity can give you more energy than what you get from 50 milligrams of caffeine (half a cup of coffee). Research conducted by a kitchen fixtures company reveals that we burn over 50,000 calories a month by doing household chores such as sweeping, making the bed, ironing, and decluttering.
4. Hydrate the Right Way
This may be one of the easiest of the 10 tips for a healthy lifestyle we're giving you. Cold, carbonated drinks may be tasty, but provide no nourishment, only empty calories and excessive amounts of fructose.
According to the Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association, these drinks can weaken your bones and contribute to osteoporosis. Instead, drink water. Harvard Medical School recommends drinking at least four to six eight-ounce glasses per day to avoid dehydration, which can cause headaches, fatigue, and bad skin.
5. Keep Your Cholesterol in Check
Men tend to have higher levels of cholesterol, according to the National Institutes of Health. Men are also more at risk of developing heart disease. To keep your cholesterol at a healthy level, try reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking (if you do). Noting from the same journal, cigarette smoking lowers the amount of good cholesterol in your body which can also cause heart disease.
6. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise provides several benefits for the body and mind. According to the Neuropsychobiology Journal, exercise increases blood and oxygen flow to the brain, making you mentally quicker and increasing your ability to focus.
To hit two birds with one stone, try weightlifting, which also protects your heart. A study from Iowa State University found that less than an hour of weightlifting a week is enough to reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke by anywhere from 40 to 70%.
Meanwhile, you can trust Rexona Men Quantum Dry Roll-on Antiperspirant Deodorant to protect you from sweat and odor for up to 48 hours. It’s formulated with MotionSense technology that releases a fresh, woody fragrance when you move.
7. Stay in Touch with Loved Ones
As social creatures, humans long to connect with others, especially their loved ones. Strengthening relationships with family members, good friends, and people you consider precious in your life is a wonderful way to relax and improve your mood and health.
The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health notes that people live an average of 22% longer when they can laugh with, share, and help others. Although you may not be able to meet friends in person right now, you can meet virtually. Do something fun and challenging together, such as an online workout class. According to the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, group workouts reduce stress levels by 26%.
8. Change Your Pillowcase!
Sure, your bed is comfortable, but is it clean? An International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene study found that a week-old pillowcase contains 3 million colony-forming units of bacteria per square inch. That is 17.422 times more than what you would find on a toilet seat. That should be enough motivation for you to change your pillowcase weekly.
Are you not getting a good night’s sleep? Maybe you need a better pillow. To test your pillow’s quality, fold it in half. Squeeze the air out, then place something quite heavy on top of it (like a hardbound book). You’ll need a new one if your pillow stays folded and doesn’t spring back to its original shape.
9. Find Ways to Release Stress
According to The American Institute of Stress, 90% of visits to physicians are for stress-related disorders. Experts have linked chronic stress in men to everything from allergies to heart disease. Everyone has different ways of releasing stress, from spending quality time with loved ones to working out and meditating.
You might also want to pay attention to pleasing smells, sights, and sounds then take a moment to enjoy them. Short-term positive emotions can change your outlook and lead to greater happiness. Showing kindness to others counts, too. A study in the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University noted the scientific correlation between treating others with kindness and longer lifespans.
10. Be More Optimistic!
According to a National Institutes of Health study, people when things appear to be improving. You can start taking some minutes in the morning to be grateful for another day in life and believe that good things will happen to you. “Always look on the bright side of life” might be an old tip, but it’s still popular for a reason. You don't have to be positive at all times. However, know that even if life is imperfect, you can find a silver lining.
Before going to bed, set aside a few minutes to breathe deeply and practice mindfulness. Not only does it help combat insomnia, but it can also help you to get a more restful sleep, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine. By slowing down your heart rate, you’re signaling the rest of your body that you’re ready for a good night’s sleep.
Practice these 10 tips for a healthy lifestyle to make the most of your everyday life. By developing healthy habits, you’ll be more likely to live a happier life that’s fulfilling, fun, and stress-free.