Healthy Lifestyle Tips: 10 Ways to Better Health

When I finally got out of the rat race of my life-crushing job, I quickly traded that stress for the stress of wanting to be healthy and feel better NOW! I read everything I could and I found myself becoming more overwhelmed and getting no where fast.
So I paused.  I began to look for simple things that I could do that would make a difference.
Here are 10 little things that I do every day that have made a difference to how healthy I feel overall .
Take a walk .  Shortly after I quit my job, I adopted a beagle/shepherd mix (pictured to the left).  I was told by so many of my friends that I will, over time, dread the daily walk, especially when it was cold or raining. Well, they couldnt have been more wrong.  I love my daily walk with Dudes and what could have been just another chore to do, has turned into something that I look forward to every day.  Everyone tells you to exercise, exercise, exercise!  Well, if you are like me where the most exercise I used to get was going from my desk to the bosses desk and back, the idea of exercise can be daunting.  Walking, on the other hand is not.  Walk at lunch, walk after work, just walk.  A few minutes at first and I am sure you will become hooked!  Not only will it help you get fit, if that is a need of yours, but it is also a wonderful stress reliever.
S leep, sleep, sleep! So much research has been done on the importance of sleep.  What I have found is that what is most important is that you get on a schedule  go to sleep and wake up consistently at the same time daily.  If you sleep midnight to six, then try to keep on that schedule.  Most adults need about 8 hours of sleep at night, so aim for that.  If you are currently getting six, just add 15 minutes more a night for the first week, then add another 15 minutes the next, if possible.  By getting consistent sleep you WILL feel better.
Drink lots of water .  I know, you heard this before:  8 glasses a day.  I honestly dont know anyone who drinks that much water, but it is important to stay hydrated.  Take note of how much water you drink now, and just try to add more to your day.  Perhaps half a glass more.  Then maybe a glass more.  Baby steps yield big results.
Laugh! Find things to laugh about, especially if it is yourself!  Laughter releases endorphins, boosts your immune system, increases blood flow and relaxes your body.  It just makes you feel better and it also takes a stressful situation and often times puts it into perspective.
Schedule a day of Fast .  Fasting once in a while is a good way to detox your body and gives your digestive system some time off.  I try to do this once a month.  Ok, it can be hard!  Here is a great website that can help you get started.  The cool thing about doing a fast  especially if you go into it thinking that it is going to be difficult  when you actually do it, you feel such a sense of accomplishment!
Stretch. Now you have to admit  this is an easy one!  Yet how often do we do it??  You can stretch while at your desk, while walking, while watching TV.  By stretching you take in more oxygen, get the blood flowing and generally, feel better!
Plan Your Healthy Snack Ahead of Time .  Avoid the mid-afternoon slump, or the eat something because Im feeling stressed time of day by having a healthy snack on hand.  Almonds are a good choice.  Or a package of oatmeal.  By eating healthy snacks you will feel better after eating, not worse.
Breathe Deep .  This goes hand in hand with stretching.  By taking time throughout the day to breathe deep, you will lower your stress level and improve your feeling of well-being.
Create a Balance between Work and Play .  You may need to actually schedule your play time but do it!  If you are still having a hard time justifying it, call it a Joy Break.  Even a few minutes of doing something you love (dancing, skiing,  watching a sunset) can reduce anxiety and improve your mood.
T alk nice to yourself . Is your inner voice quick to snap out things  like: “How could you forget that, you idiot?”  Trade put-downs for  encouraging words; you can do this. They set you up for success.
You may have noticed that my top 10 ways to feel better are not only quick but they are also all positive!  So many times we get caught up in dont do this, dont do that, in order to be happy, healthy, whatever.  But most people dont respond well to all those negatives in their lives.  We respond better to the positives.  So do things to make yourself feel better, and when you fill yourself up with all those better things, you wont have time for the negative things that may be weighing you down!
Feel free to comment!  What are some of your easy-to-do tips to better health?