4 Ways to Achieve Optimal Health

#1 Eat a balanced diet

Eating a balanced diet is one of the most important ways to achieve optimal health. Eating foods with a variety of nutrients and minerals is essential for healthy living. Eating fruits such as apples, oranges, bananas, and tomatoes, as well as vegetables such as avocados, asparagus, and broccoli is a good way of making sure you eat nutrient rich foods. 

When shopping at the grocery store make sure you check your labels and packages for preservatives and chemicals. These disgusting food enhancers can be found in a variety of foods and wreak havoc on our digestive system. Since our bodies do not recognize preservatives and chemicals as they are not natural, our bodies don’t know how to break these foods down properly, potentially leading to digestive issues.

Eating a well-balanced diet consists of eating food from a variety of food groups. Eating various legumes, grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products is a good way to ensure you get all the nutrients you need to have optimal health. An easy way to make sure you always have time to eat healthy is to meal-prep your meals for the week and to take healthy snacks with you on the road.

#2 Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep at night is absolutely necessary in order to maintain your health. Typically, sleeping between 6-8 hours per night is what your body needs to be refueled and ready to take on the day. There are many ways you can guarantee yourself a good night’s sleep. Start with creating a healthy nighttime routine for yourself. 

Creating a healthy nighttime routine can consist of a variety of things. Pick a few things to help aid your sleep that best suite you. Some people enjoy journaling before bed, listening to calming music or rain sounds, or drinking a hot beverage. Others like stretching and reading a few chapters of a good book to help them relax and fall asleep. 

Find a nighttime routine that works for you and begin implementing into your schedule. The key to a maintaining a good nighttime schedule is consistency. Consistently doing nightly activities will signal to your brain that it’s time to relax and fall asleep, ultimately leading to better sleep and healthier days.

#3 Exercise frequently

Exercising is a major part of taking care of your body on your journey to optimal health. For maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising 30 minutes per day is essential. Taking the time to get your heart rate up each day has several health benefits including better digestion, cardiovascular health, and boosting serotonin levels in the brain. Always consult your doctor before starting an exercise style 

Exercising, while not always fun or easy, is vital in maintaining health. Start by walking 30 minutes per day after lunch or dinner as walking after eating aids digestion. Try finding an exercise style you like whether it be running, weights, yoga, swimming, or taking exercise classes. Integrating exercise into your life can be made easier by making it part of your daily routine. Set aside 30 minutes to an hour each day to devote to exercise. After time it will start to feel like a natural part of your routine. 

#4 Devote time to self-care 

Maintaining health is important physically but also mentally as well. Taking time to focus on your mental health is important for your overall health. Devote time to self-care monthly, weekly, or daily, depending on your needs. There are several ways to take time for yourself to improve your mental health.

Turning one shower a week into a relaxing bath with Epsom salts can greatly induce relaxation and boost your mental health. Additionally, you could spend some time diffusing some relaxing essential oils and meditating to clear any negative thoughts from your mind. To relax and unwind after a day at school or work you could also light some candles and read a favorite novel to unwind. Even consider getting an in-home massage to help alleviate tension areas and open up neuropathways. 

Author Bio

Samantha Rupp holds a BS in Business Administration and is a contributing editor for 365BusinessTips.com as well as a marketing expert for TransUnion. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys traveling, spending time on the beach and reading up on business industry trends. Feel free to connect with her on Twitter or LinkedIn.