Tips on “investing” in your health’s future, today!

Just like we invest in our retirement nest egg, we should also invest in our health.  Investing in our health includes educating ourselves on what we are putting in our body to support a healthy and strong physical and mental well-being. This is a long-term investment in our health that we can enjoy now!

1. Drink eight 8 oz glasses of water per day. This will help your digestive system and your skin by flushing toxins in your body.
2. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. The food choices and how much we eat are influenced by many factors.  Is it because we like the taste (salty or sweet) or is it simply the ease of prepared foods?  Is it what our parents made for us as children or is it cultural?  Remember to ask yourself why are you eating that food – is it from an advertisement, is it your mood (heartbreak or stressed) or is it from being tired after a long day at work.  We need a healthy and balanced diet with carbohydrates, fats and proteins.  Listen to your body and learn to distinguish hunger signs from emotional signs like boredom, sadness, or stress.
3. Take vitamins and supplements. Your body needs different vitamins and minerals to help release and use the energy in the food nutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) you eat.
4. Exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 times per week. Choosing something you love to do will make it seem like much less effort.  Walking, hiking, running, swimming, aerobics…the list goes on.  Also, don’t wait for someone else to do it with you as they could be hold you back!
5. Get outside and get some sun and fresh air. Fresh air and vitamin D is very important for your mental health!
6.  Get enough sleep. Turn the TV and cell phone off when you go to bed.  Read a book!  Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
7. “Doing nothing”. Sometimes you just need to do nothing – dishes, laundry, vacuuming, work, and kids will always be there waiting for you…but take at least 30 minutes a day for you!  You will feel happy you did!

 “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”                  

The World Health Organization (WHO)