Maintaining good health and fitness is essential for a happier life and here are 5 bridges you can cross to reach your goal.
1. Get Moving: Exercise regularly
Exercise is not just about weight loss or a toned body, it has more to do with your mental and emotional wellbeing. Exercise enhances endorphin production, lowers stress, improves cognitive function, and promotes a healthy sleep routine. But, choosing the right exercise plan can be overwhelming. So, start with what you enjoy such as Yoga, Pilates, weight-lifting, or even dancing. Switch it up regularly, so you don’t get bored and your body doesn’t adjust to the same routine.
2. Clean Up Your Diet
What we eat affects our bodies in various ways, from digestive issues and inflammation to chronic illnesses. The Western diet consisting of fast food, processed foods, and high sugar drinks is one of the biggest culprits. Transition to a healthier diet that balances enough quantities of protein, vegetables, whole grains, and fats to get the nutrients you need. Avoid going proscriptive with diets that cut out entire food groups.
3. Rest Well
Sleep provides the much-needed downtime for our bodies to rejuvenate, restore, and repair. Without quality sleep, even the best diets and toughest workouts cannot show results. Make sure you get seven to eight hours of night’s sleep. Create a bedtime routine, switch off electronic devices like your phone and TV, and invest in comfortable bedding and pillows to help you get a better night’s rest.
4. Prioritize Mental Health
The state of your mental health conditions all aspects of your life, starting from work to relationships. Take time to practice mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques or seek help from a therapist if necessary. Look for easy apps and resources for mental health, such as Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer. A happy mind means a happy body.
5. Test and Track Your Progress
Goal setting is important for health and fitness, and it’s essential to measure your progress. Tracking your physical measurements such as the weight you can lift, steps walked, and distance run will allow you to know how far you’ve come and the motivation you need to keep pushing forward.
In conclusion, these 5 bridges are vital stepping stones for reaching your health and fitness goals. Even though we’ve emphasized their roles separately, each bridge is essential and dependant on the other for optimal results. Make them a lifestyle choice, and you’ll see the benefits reflecting beyond you alone; your family and friends around you will benefit too as they’ll be exposed to a happy and healthy you.
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