Start doing these five simple daily actions for better health.
1. Drink Water
Water is the most abundant constituent of the human body, and regular fluid intake is essential for the body to function optimally. It is important to drink enough water every day, and current UK government guidance is to drink 6-8 glasses of fluid per day (approximately 1.2 litres).
Tip: Drink two glasses of water shortly after waking up in the morning. This will get water into your system from the beginning of the day and replenish the fluid levels in your body.
2. Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude is associated with increased happiness, and can contribute to a sense of general positivity and wellbeing. Gratitude is simply the state of being grateful. It can be an expression of thanks for something, an appreciation of the positive things in life, or a recognition of what or who we’re grateful for in our lives.
Tip: Start the beginning of each day expressing or writing ten things to be thankful for. This could be your health, family, friends, finances, work, or the natural environment. By expressing gratitude, you remind yourself of all the valuable people, things, and experiences you are grateful for in life.
3. Meditate
Meditation can be beneficial for mental health. Some of the reported benefits of meditation are that it can help to clear and focus the mind, to relieve anxiety and stress, and lead to a greater sense of peace and calm.
Tip: Try incorporating meditation or breathing exercises into your day by starting with a small target such as three to five minutes, and then build up to longer periods as you get accustomed to the practice. Following a guided meditation session online or via an app can be helpful.
4. Get Juicing
Making a juice blend or smoothie is an easy way to target your five a day. There are plenty of recipes online for juices and smoothies. Many of these recipes have accessible ingredients and are simple to follow and prepare. They could include a combination of berries for a berry juice blend, tropical fruits such as pineapple or mango for a taste of sunshine, or something clean and green to help cleanse antioxidants from the body.
Tip: Have a juice blend as part of your breakfast and get a head start on your five a day! Some recipes can be made the night before and kept in the fridge ready for the morning.
5. Brain Train
Maintaining a healthy brain during our lives is a key goal for a life of longevity. There are numerous activities to train, work or exercise the brain, and plenty of positive reasons to add something to your daily routine. This could be reading a book, doing puzzles such as sudoku, learning a language, or using a brain training app.
Tip: Spend a few minutes every day using a brain training app. A good brain training app will be designed for your performance to be measured and will have various challenges or targets to be achieved. Being able to track your progress is a great help for consistency and to keep improving.
Image credit: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels