Unless you’re the luckiest person in the world, you can’t enjoy great mental and physical health without effort. That said, you don’t necessarily have to pay for expensive gym memberships to achieve your health goals. It starts with the things you do daily. Add these five steps to your routine to enhance your overall health.
1. Take Your Dog for a Walk
People love pets. The American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey showed that 67% of United States households, or roughly 85 million families, own a pet. If you’re among the many people who own a dog, add taking it for a walk to your daily routine.
Some health benefits you’ll enjoy when you do this include reduced stress, stronger bones and muscles, lower blood pressure, and improved cardiovascular fitness. Walks are equally important for your pet’s health as well. Most dogs need to be taken out for a walk at least once daily, while some, especially extremely active ones, may need more. How long and intense your walk should be depends on breed, age, and fitness levels.
2. Treat Yourself
Intentionally treating yourself is an effective way of improving your mental health and physical health. When you get a treat, you feel energized, contented, motivated, and cared for, giving you the mental strength and self-control you need to maintain good habits. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
The good thing is treats don’t have to be expensive. You can always find something cheap that brings you joy. For example, your local florist can help you pick affordable flowers to add to your living space. According to Kelley’s Florist, most floral arrangements will last between four to seven days or longer, but this depends on the type of flowers used and the care they get.
3. Take Care of Your Teeth
You’d be surprised to learn how much your teeth impact your overall health. You risk developing plaque buildup when you fail to maintain healthy dental hygiene practices. According to Live Science, plaque may comprise 200 to 300 different bacterial species. When these bacteria enter your arteries, they can harden and cause blood flow issues and heart blockages that affect your physical health.
Plaque can also lower your self-esteem once it becomes tartar. Its bacteria can give your teeth a yellow tint and leave you with bad breath, making you self-conscious when interacting with others and taking selfies with friends. To avoid such dental issues, make brushing and flossing after meals and before bed a part of your routine.
4. Eat Healthy and Excercise Regularly
You probably hear it all the time, “eat a healthy diet and hit the gym regularly.'” Whether it’s from your gym friend, parents, relatives, or strangers, it’s sound advice. So what exactly does dieting and exercising do for you?
One of the most obvious is it’ll help you with your weight loss efforts. Combining regular exercise and a healthy diet is the best and safest way to lose weight. You want to be burning off more carbs than you’re ingesting.
You’ll also enjoy a healthier heart by staying active. There are two primary types of cholesterol in the body: one that’s beneficial and one that can dangerously accumulate in your blood vessels. A diet high in vegetables and consistent exercise will help maintain these cholesterols at the proper levels.
5. Maintain a Grateful Attitude
As you work to start eating healthy and exercising regularly, it’s important to remember the blessings in your life and be thankful for them. Practicing gratitude is a wonderful approach to maintaining a positive outlook when life is getting you down. Set aside some time each day to reflect on your blessings and record them in writing so you may look back on them. Maintaining a positive attitude will greatly benefit your mental health in your darkest hours.
The saying “health is wealth” will never stop being true. You need to be physically, mentally, and emotionally stable to achieve what you want in this life. Use this read as a guide for habits you can benefit from.
