4 Ways To Lead a Healthier Lifestyle
It’s not always easy to know the first place you can begin when it comes to making adjustments in your life for your health and wellbeing. Some people tell you exercise, some say diet, and some even suggest making little changes in all areas all at once! It can be a little overwhelming, and often, instead of making any changes, people give up and make absolutely zero. This isn’t a good idea, and will do nothing but set you back in the long run when it comes to your overall health!
Physical therapy offers a way to stay fit and active while being closely monitored by a professional. However, if you’re looking for a few small suggestions that will leave you feeling healthy, energized, and much more fit at home, keep on reading!
Stretch Your Body!
Before getting out of bed, stretch your arms to the ceiling. Move your hands, wrists, and flex your fingers. Take a deep breath. Fill your lungs and stretch your stomach. Tighten and release your legs, calves, ankles, feet, and toes. You can end this little routine by sitting up, putting your legs over the edge of your bed, and stretching your neck and back. In doing this, you loosen each muscle and increase the flow of oxygen. This healthy approach to your morning routine will leave you much more energized!
Some people like to do yoga for their daily morning stretches. If that’s something that interests you, below are 7 suggested yoga stretches to do in the morning.
- Child’s Pose:
- Downward-Facing Dog
- One-Legged Dog
- Warrior 1 Post:
- Mountain Pose
- Standing Bending Forward Pose
Doing these stretches loosens up your limbs as well as the muscles and tissues that might become stiff overnight as you’re asleep, unmoving. This is a great way to start the day and get you feeling a little bit more awake.
Drink Enough Water
Healthline states, “Water plays many roles in your body, including maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure, lubricating joints, regulating body temperature, and promoting cell health.” Staying hydrated throughout the day is critical if you want to remain healthy and keep health problems at bay! There are many ways you can incorporate more water intake into your routine.
- Set a daily water intake goal for yourself.
- Keep a reusable water bottle on hand.
- Replace caffeinated drinks (sodas, coffee, energy drinks) with water.
- Drink one glass of water before eating.
- Invest in a quality water filtration system to make sure your water actually tastes good.
Get Daily Exercise
Exercising may not be your thing, however, it’s important to have some sort of physical activity in your routine. Whether it is a 2-minute jog in place or a 15-minute yoga session, find a way to get physical activity in!
It not only helps your body to be healthier from a physical standpoint, it also helps your mental health as well. If you’re struggling to figure out good ways to fit more physical activity into your everyday routine, physical therapy could be a great option for you as well. Contact our office to speak with one of our therapists about incorporating
If pain is holding you back, our physical therapists can help. Give us a call; we’ll help make every morning a better one!
Maintain a Healthy Diet
There are many benefits to healthy eating, including increased energy, and lower amounts of inflammation. Certain foods have been known to alleviate inflammation, where some foods can aggravate it. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “A lot of chronic pain is the result of chronic inflammation, and the evidence is quite strong that your diet can contribute to increased systemic inflammation.” So, eating healthy can decrease pain symptoms!
Have you ever noticed how the colors of recommended fruits and vegetables create a rainbow? This “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables is excellent for heart health and boosted immunity. Eating colorful foods also fights inflammation. Try to fit more colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet. Dark green veggies like spinach and kale, orange veggies such as sweet potatoes and carrots, red and purple foods like tomatoes and beets, and yellow ones like corn and sweet peppers are excellent choices to slip into your meals and snack dishes.
Questions? Contact Our Office!
Through stretching, staying hydrated, exercising, and eating balanced meals, you should start feeling a whole lot better! If these suggestions don’t offer enough variety for you in leading a healthier lifestyle, no worries. Contact Agility Physical Therapy & Sports Performance any time to schedule an appointment to see a physical therapist. He or she will be more than happy to assess your physical needs, and teach you more ways to lead a more active lifestyle.