A Fresh Start: Spring Edition
We all know that eating right can help you maintain a healthy weight and avoid certain health problems. Your diet has a direct effect on your sense of wellbeing. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, cooking meals at home, and reducing your intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates will not only help to improve mood, but lower your risk for cardiovascular and mental health disorders. Food is so powerful that it can help manage your symptoms and heal your body from the inside. Try incorporating as many of these guidelines into your life as you can. The more you do, the better you will feel – but even adding one or two to your routine will make a big difference. 3 weeks is the average time it takes to form a new habit. Just by focusing on a point per month, you can reap the amazing benefits of healthy living and grow life-changing habits by the end of the year.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Try keeping a bottle of water with you at all times. Make sure to pause your daily activities for regular sips. For added flavour and benefits, why not add fresh fruits and herbs such as lemons, limes, oranges, blueberries and mint?
Make fresh juices part of your life. Invest in a good-quality juicer and enjoy nourishing energy-packed fresh fruit and vegetable juices whenever you can.
Cut down on your alcohol intake. Drink two glasses of water for every alcoholic beverage. Limit your alcohol to once a week.
Cut out junk and processed foods. They are the number one reason our bodies are toxic and fat overloaded. If you're pressed on time, go for a healthier option: grilled chicken, pho, fruit or a salad with olive oil dressing.
Cut down on your caffeine intake. Try cutting out just one cup of coffee a day and replacing it with herbal tea, hot lemon and water (deeply detoxifying) or a natural coffee substitute instead. Gradually replace another cup, and then another. The same goes for sodas and energy drinks.
Simplify. Think of your diet in terms of color, variety, and freshness. Focus on avoiding packaged and processed foods and opting for fresh ingredients.
Read the labels. It’s important to be aware of what’s in your food as manufacturers often hide large amounts of sugar or unhealthy fats in packaged food, even food claiming to be healthy. But remember, real foods don't have a label.
Focus on how you feel after eating. This will help creating healthy new habits and developing your tastes for super foods. The more healthy food you eat, the better you’ll feel after a meal. The more junk food you eat, the more you are going to feel uncomfortable, nauseous, or drained of energy.
Introduce regular exercise into your life. Take an after-dinner walk with your partner. Keep a jumprope in your desk drawer. Try a new sport. Just get moving on a regular basis. Most gyms have classes you can take, why not try kickboxing or yoga?
Try skin-brushing before your shower or bath. Brushing skin while dry helps to unclog pores and get rid of toxins.
Practice deep breathing. Even if it's just for five minutes a day, take time out to focus on your breath, allowing your abdomen to press out as you breathe in, and flatten as you breathe out. Spend a few moments before you get out of bed just focusing on your breath.
Switch to nontoxic natural alternatives for cleaning materials around the home. If you dry-clean your clothes, take them out of the wrapping and leave them outside in the fresh air for at least an hour before bringing them into your closet.