You make all types of investments in your life from investing your money to investing in people. But what about investing in your health? Your health is of utmost importance. You know that regular exercise and a healthy diet are two key components to living a healthy lifestyle but how else can you invest in your health? Let’s find out.
Hydrate
We’ve all heard that you need to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water per day in order to properly hydrate your body. There’s also the calculation that you should drink half your body weight in water. This means that if you weigh 150 pounds, you should consume 75 ounces of water.
But how much water is too much or just enough?
It’s important to understand that there’s a difference between just drinking water and actually hydrating your body. Obviously, if you are more physically active you’ll need to drink more water. During exercise, your body sweats and releases water, which needs replacing. Mineral water provides an added boost of calcium and minerals. The key here is to ensure that you just keeping yourself hydrated. When you over hydrate yourself, it can lead to various other problems.
Vitamins
Most of us receive the vitamins and minerals we need through our diet. Consuming foods rich in things like calcium, vitamins A, B, and C, and folic acid help our body function at optimum levels. But what if you aren’t consuming the right balance of foods? Or you’re simply unable to eat all of those foods required to meet your nutritional goals?
That’s where multivitamins come into play. You can help boost your nutritional intake by incorporating a quality multivitamin into your daily routine. Though some people believe taking individual vitamins is much more effective. Check with your physician on which vitamin option is best for you, based on your needs.
Sleep Tight
The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep to function properly. Unfortunately, nearly 40% of Americansaren’t getting enough sleep. Not only will lack of shut-eye leave you feeling fatigue and sluggish, but it can also impact your overall health and well-being. Some medical complications associated with lack of quality sleep include the development of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity not to mention depression and irritability. During quality sleep, your brain releases hormones that help to heal ailments, prevent health risks, and restore your mind and body.
Ergonomics
For most people, at least 40 hours of their week are dedicated to work. It’s not always easy to remain healthy and active during working hours, especially if you have a desk job. Considering ergonomics in the workplace can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle in all aspects of your life. Ergonomics is the study of people’s efficiency in their work environment. This directly relates to the chair you sit in, the desk you use, your ability to comfortably move around, and the number of hours you’re on your feet.
If you’re stuck at a desk job, this can negatively impact your posture and put you at risk for a long list of medical issues include leg disorders, muscle degeneration, poor circulation, and weight gain. Standing too much can also put you at risk for back issues and poor circulation. Invest in a desk that allows you to stand while at work or a place to rest your feet and back if your job requires you to stand for hours on end. Your body will thank you in the long run. This will also help you to stay healthy and safe even at work.
Insurance
Accidents happen and you can’t always plan for them. Staying in good health and taking care of your body are important ways to combat medical complications, illness, and a long list of chronic conditions. But another level of protection for both you and your family is to invest in medical insurance. There are several different types of health insurance plans to choose from.
You can make the right choice depending on your financial status, age, medical history, and current circumstance. The size of your insurance policy is often based on the size of your family, financial responsibilities, and ability to pay. Do some research and choose a policy that will help pay for any medical expenses or debt you leave behind.
Moderation
For some, life doesn’t seem worth living if it doesn’t include a little enjoyment when it comes to food, drink, and other life choices. Consuming alcohol in moderation is fine. Although the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholismdetails that men should not exceed more than 4 alcohol beverages a day and no more than 3 for women, even this is slightly excessive.
Try to reserve alcohol consumption for the weekends or special occasions. A glass of wine after work for with dinner is perfectly acceptable and trying opting for red wine, which offers a healthy dose of antioxidants and helps to ward off diabetes and obesity.
Get Active
Getting active is most commonly associated with hitting the gym, and although this still holds true, there are also some other creative ways to get active. Taking leisurely walks on your lunch break or after dinner is a great way to help burn off a few extra calories, get some much needed fresh air, and work important muscles in your body.
Try opting for the stairs versus the elevator and park farther away the next time you visit the grocery store or mall. Simple changes can help incorporate more activity into your everyday routine. Pair these changes with exercising three days a week at moderate intensity and your body will feel the benefits.
Nourish Your Mind
Overall health means nourishing your mind as well as your body. This can be achieved in a variety of ways and depends on what works best for the individual. Yoga and meditation are great ways to help clear your mind, reduce stress, and help connect with your thoughts and needs. These practices help you feel more centered and in tune with your body’s needs.
Other ways to nourish your mind include engaging in positive self-talk, journaling your thoughts and feelings, unplugging from technology, and simply taking time to participate in activities you enjoy. This isn’t being selfish, it’s self-preservation and it’s an important component of maintaining overall health and well-being.
Invest in Yourself
Investing your money is important, but investing in yourself if the greatest one you’ll ever make. Without a strong mind and body, you can’t achieve optimum health and live life to its fullest. Find the things in life you enjoy and feed those needs. This will lead to a healthy, well-rounded life that you’ll love living.