How to Start Living Healthier Today
Getting started on a healthier lifestyle can feel overwhelming with lots of conflicting health advice out there. So you want to live a healthier lifestyle, but you’re not sure where to start? Well you came to the right place - consider this your beginner’s guide to creating healthier habits and transforming your life.
Clean Up Your Nutrition.
When it comes to cleaning up your nutrition, start by reaching for primarily real, whole foods and tossing the processed foods. Focus on quality protein sources (lean meats, fatty fish, eggs), lots of colorful fruits and veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats (avocado, olive oil).
Pro Tip: Try to avoid the middle aisles at the grocery store where the processed foods are lurking and instead shop the perimeter.
Move More.
We’ve been conditioned to think that only a 45 minute sweat session at the gym counts as movement/exercise. While traditional exercise is important, we should put more emphasis on continually moving throughout the day.
Pro Tip: Here are some easy ways to sprinkle in a little movement throughout the day - run around the playground with your kids, do air squats at your desk every hour, park a little further away, take the stairs instead of the elevator, take a short walk around the neighborhood after dinner.
Get Solid Sleep.
Make it your job to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Did you know that getting a good night’s sleep starts in the morning? Try to get exposure to light first thing in the morning. In addition to morning light exposure, be sure to keep a consistent sleep schedule, create a dark, cool sleeping space, and ditch the screens before bedtime.
Pro Tip: If you can’t get outside first thing in the morning, then get a full spectrum light box to put on as you make your morning coffee.
Reduce Your Toxic Load.
Unfortunately, between the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the products we use on a daily basis, we are being exposed to toxins constantly. Do what you can to lessen your toxic load by filtering your air and drinking water at home and by cleaning up your home and personal care products.
Pro Tip: In addition to reducing your toxin intake, be sure to regularly support your body’s detox pathways. This includes sweating regularly (exercise and sauna) and staying hydrated with clean water and herbal teas to flush out the system. Check out our detox bath recipe here.
Spend More Time in Nature.
Spending more time in nature is just one of the many ways to support the nervous system. Supporting the nervous system helps us with stress management. Other modalities such as gratitude journaling, meditating, deep breathing exercises and gentle yoga can also help with stress management.
Pro Tip: Get your daily movement in while also outdoors by meeting a friend for a walk or playing with your kids outside.
After working with a health coach myself, I experienced first hand that small, sustainable shifts can be life-changing when done consistently over time. I hope the Simply Nourished Wellness blog can be a source of simple, actionable tips for living a healthier and more joyful life.