1. Eat More Vegetables
Adding vegetables to your everyday meals is so essential. I eat vegetables with all my meals, making sure that they are the biggest portion of food on my plate.
There are many benefits of eating vegetables such as improved gut health, lower risks for chronic diseases, boosted energy, help manage weight loss, and increased intake of nutrients. So if you want to be healthier start eating your vegetables with every meal.
2. Limit Red Meat Consumption
I know this point is contested due to varied opinions and beliefs concerning the consumption of red meat. Firstly, it is important to note that meat is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Red meat provides us with iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
However, it is recommended that we do not consume too much red meat as that can lead to health problems. According to NHS guidelines, eating too much red meat or processed meat can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. According to NHS Live Well, the recommendation is to eat less than 70g of cooked red meat. For more information check out NHS guidelines.
3. Cook More
There are many benefits to making home-cooked meals. Firstly, making food at home is way more cost-efficient than takeaways. The amount of money people spend on takeaways is incredible. The money you spend on one takeaway could be enough to buy ingredients for a meal plan.
4. Read Everyday
Reading is important for several reasons such as increasing quality of sleep, improving stress, and helping with our mental health. A lot of people overlook the benefits of reading especially when they get older. There is also this notion that reading is for a certain type of ‘person’, which is certainly not true. Reading is for everyone; we all need to read.
5. Go Outside for Fresh Air
If you work at home or spend most of your time lounging in your room, this is for you. It is time to go outside. It is so very important to go outside. Fresh air not only cleans your lungs but also helps boost your mood, increase energy levels and improve digestion.
I know how comfortable it is being at home, but, as part of your well-being incorporating a consistent routine of being outside and getting fresh air is vital. Even if it is just for 10 minutes, make sure to do it.
6. Walk More
I greatly advocate for exercise and fitness as a tool for general well-being. Exercise helps your physical and mental well-being. There are different forms of exercise you can engage with such as taking a walk and listening to music, cycling, or swimming. A lot of people engage with 10k steps a day. This is a very effective exercise, as you track your steps throughout the day. You can achieve this by being active more during the day.
Exercise is vital as it can reduce the risk of major illness. According to the NHS, it is medically proven that people who exercise regularly are at lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, early death, dementia, depression and more. The NHS guidelines recommend adults to try and be active every day aiming for 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
7. Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol Consumption
One of the things that you can do for your health and happiness is eliminate alcohol intake. Many health benefits are linked to cutting down and eliminating alcohol intake. These benefits include weight loss, better concentration, more energy, a brighter mood, and many more.
8. Pick A Hobby
A hobby is defined as an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure. Hobbies can enhance your quality of life. By giving you a break from such as school and work. Part of well-being is living your life beyond your everyday routines and tasks. Hobbies are important as they give us a sense of purpose outside of work.
O’L Final Thoughts
The key to being happier and healthier is consistency. If you decide to walk every day, make sure to be consistent. If you decide to eat more vegetables, make sure that it is with every meal. It is easy to fall into the trap of implementing healthy habits for a short amount of time. But the reality is that most of these habits are a lifestyle not short term habits.
