Health and wellness are hot topics these days, and for good reason. Healthy living benefits the mind, body and soul, and paves the way for longevity. Plus you just feel good when you practice healthy habits. The tricky part is setting goals and maintaining habits, and doing so without spending a fortune. If you’re ready to turn the tables and make healthy living a priority, check out the following tips from Alternative Health Tools.
Set Attainable Goals
We aren't suggesting easy goals that don't provide any benefit, but you shouldn't set goals that are nearly impossible to reach. Instead, start with a few simple, attainable goals and build up from there. For example, rather than proclaiming you'll lose X number of pounds by X date, set the goal to limit your intake of processed foods, sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Instead of saying you won't miss a day at the gym, commit to at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week. What’s more, you don’t need to spend a ton of money on a fancy fitness tracker. Instead, you can download free apps on your smartphone or tablet to track your activity, stay motivated, and keep track of your goals.
Find Exercises That You Enjoy
If you fail to meet your exercise goals regularly, you’re probably doing the wrong type of exercise. Not everyone enjoys working out at the gym (which can be rather expensive), so expand your horizons and look for other, more affordable ways to get — and stay — fit. Maybe you'd rather run outdoors rather than endure the monotony of a treadmill. Maybe you'd prefer practices like hot or aerial yoga rather than Hatha or Vinyasa. Step out of your comfort zone to find some kind of exercise that you enjoy. The more you enjoy it, the more likely you'll do it.
Make Sleep a Priority in Your Life
According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 70 million people in the US suffer from sleep disorders, and millions more have occasional sleep issues. If you fall into one of these two categories, you should make sleep a priority. Lack of sleep can lead to a host of health problems, from diabetes, heart issues, and obesity to anxiety, depression, and even early death. If you’re having trouble falling asleep at night, try to determine why you’re not sleeping well, and look for ways to enhance your sleep through a bedtime routine that includes music, meditation and limiting the use of electronics. You can also use a white noise machine or app for ambient noise, or even upgrade your mattress.
Aim for Healthy Travel
For starters, time away from work is important. Everyone needs a break from the daily grind to rejuvenate and refresh. So make a point to use those vacation benefits your employer provides. And even if you have a small budget, you can still find ways to travel that don’t hurt your wallet. For example, consider a vacation rental over a hotel. A rental is usually cheaper, offers plenty of privacy, and makes it easier to cook your meals rather than dining out. Plus, if you’re visiting an area like San Diego, there are plenty of affordable places to stay near cheap activities you can enjoy. From visiting popular local beaches to visiting the zoo to checking out La Jolla Cove. Outdoor options make it easy to stay physical all while you get to enjoy the sights.
Take Advantage of Free Preventive Services
Most healthcare plans cover the costs of preventive services by your primary care physician or within your plan network. To stay healthy, it's important to take advantage of free annual check-ups, recommended screenings for cancer and other diseases, flu shots, immunizations, depression and mental health screenings, and other services. Do your research and find out which preventive services are covered by your plan. For seniors, some Medicare Advantage plans cover preventive services as well as wellness programs and even gym memberships.
If you want to live a healthier lifestyle, you need to set your goals and then stick to a plan to reach and exceed them. Rather than extreme exercise plans and unhealthy diet goals, prioritize overall health, wellness habits, and self-care strategies. With the right goals, you will be able to boost your energy levels, self-esteem, and happiness while staying as healthy as possible, both physically and mentally.
