After what always feels like the longest wait, spring has finally arrived and warmer weather is soon to follow. If you have been feeling like you’ve been in a slump this past winter, get yourself revitalized with these health tips.
Clean Up Your Diet
Like many people, you may have been indulging a bit more than usual in comfort foods, baked goods, and desserts during the holidays and colder months. Unfortunately, an occasional indulgence can quickly turn into a habit if you aren’t careful. A diet heavy in these types of foods can leave you feeling sluggish and perhaps lead to a bit of weight gain. Eating too much saturated fat can increase your blood levels of cholesterol and raise your risk for heart disease. There are also usually high amounts of sugar in these types of food which can contribute to issues like acne and fatigue, and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.
When you eat a healthy balanced diet regularly you may feel more alert, energized, and be in a better mood overall. Your risk for chronic illness could also decrease significantly. However, it can be difficult to change your habits and kick your cravings. Meal planning apps that can be accessed right on your phone are a convenient and helpful way to take the guesswork out of daily meals and help you stay on track for your diet goals.
Stay Active
When it’s colder out, it’s easy to tell yourself it’s ok to stay inside and cozy up with a blanket and turn the TV on. If you’ve been slacking off on exercise you may find yourself getting used to not moving around as much. It’s important to remember the risks of a sedentary lifestyle, and use that to keep yourself motivated to get yourself up and moving. Prolonged physical inactivity can lead to obesity, heart disease, and muscle weakness. These issues can often lead to other issues as well. For example, men may find themselves experiencing new or worsening erectile dysfunction, in which case they may require meds like Cialis for ED to relieve symptoms.
Regular exercise can increase energy levels, improve your mood, improve brain health and memory, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases but getting into a routine for exercise can be intimidating. If you want to start slow, take advantage of the nicer weather and get outside for a 30-minute walk as often as possible.
Practice Sun Safety
Once you’re able to spend more time outside it’s important to remember the potentially harmful effects of too much sun exposure. The ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your eyes and skin and could lead to skin cancer, premature aging, skin spots, and wrinkles. Wear sunglasses every time you go outside–and make sure they have an adequate amount of UV protection– to protect your eyes from cataracts or pterygium, which is tissue growth that can block vision. Wear wide-brimmed hats that can keep the back of your neck and your ears in the shade whenever possible. Lightweight, long sleeve shirts can help offer the arms some protection from the sun as well without making you uncomfortable or too hot. Finally, and arguably most important of all to remember, is to always always always use sunscreen. Make sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and remember to reapply if you are out in the sun for longer than two hours or after swimming or sweating profusely.
Drink Plenty Of Water
We all know water is essential for our health. But many people still struggle to put aside sugary drinks and drink a sufficient amount of water every day. Aside from the harmful effects of too much sugar, there are harmful effects of chronic dehydration. Not drinking enough water can lead to fatigue, constipation, dry mouth, and headaches. When the weather is hot it becomes even more difficult to stay hydrated and could even lead to heat exhaustion. If you’re looking for a way to remind yourself to drink more water consider a reusable water bottle. Many times they have measurements to help you track your water intake, filters to improve taste, or straws built-in for convenience. And you’ll be helping the environment by reducing plastic waste!
Spring is the season of new beginnings and the perfect time to reflect on your habits. Just a few lifestyle changes to prioritize your health can help you feel happier and energized.