When you think about the words healthy, and lifestyle, it’s hard not to imagine extreme workout sessions or a diet that seriously lacks in deliciousness. For many of us, the idea of jumping on an intense physical workout schedule and restrictive daily diet just doesn’t sound so appealing. If you’re someone who wants to be healthier, but wants to take a more effort-less and achievable route, here are some ways to maintain to healthy lifestyle, without trying too hard:
Get Your Snooze Hours In
Getting sufficient sleep is a powerful way to enhance your health. If you want to begin a healthy lifestyle, snuggling into bed for plenty of sleep not only makes you feel better, but it improves heart health, memory, reduces inflammation, and helps you live longer. The average person should aim to get around 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Eat Protein for Breakfast
Eating 20-30 grams of protein for breakfast can set the tone for your appetite for the rest of the day. Protein keeps you fuller, for longer. Many people love having an egg or two for breakfast, but a handful of walnuts does the same thing too. If you prefer other breakfast foods in the morning, just strategically add protein to the meal where you can. The best foods for a protein-rich breakfast include:
- Eggs
- Greek yogurt
- Turkey bacon/sausage
- Oats with blueberries
- Nuts
- Avocado toast
- Protein pancakes
- Black beans
- Nut butters
- Protein powder
- Cottage cheese
Water as Your Go-To Drink
We all know by now how important it is to stay hydrated. But, do most of us actually get enough water every single day, like we are supposed to? Probably not. Consider buying a reusable water bottle and having it at your side throughout the day. Drinking water more frequently in place of sodas and juices can keep your artificial sugar levels down, while keeping your body hydrated with what it truly needs. There’s a reason water is our life-sustaining source! Those who get enough water each day tend to:
- Feel better overall mentally and energetically
- Intake less sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fats
- Lose a little weight from this simple change
- Have a more cleansed system by flushing out toxins
Learn to Love Nutritious Foods
Not everyone loves salads. But the fact of the matter is, we may have to toss back a few routinely to keep our bodies thriving. You won’t necessarily have to stop eating the foods you do love, but you will have to add more items with nutritional value. For example, a few cups of dark leafy greens a day can do wonders for a person’s skin, energy, and satiety.
Maintaining a healthy mind and body doesn’t have to be hard. By implementing these little changes, we can start to notice how it makes us feel good and better overall. Then, we’ll be more motivated to keep it up because we are experiencing the benefits. It’s never too late to practice healthy habits!