Like all life’s journeys, changing your lifestyle begins with a single step… It’s up to you. You just need to have the willingness and desire to begin the journey. Now… If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with all the information online and you’re wondering where do I begin my journey to good health and longevity?
Think happy thoughts, and have fun exploring these powerful, natural, anti aging, immune boosting tips for optimal health and longevity:
“We don’t catch diseases; we create them by breaking down the natural
defenses according to the way we eat, drink, think, feel, and live.”
“Herings Law of Cure,” which is the basis of all healing
Become More Aware
In order to change negative behavior and thought patterns, it’s crucial to become more aware. If you’re stuck in a rut and you don’t know where to start—start writing. For the next few days, or however long you need, write down your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Include everything you eat and drink, your good and/or bad habits, your sources of stress, your negative and positive actions, etc. Do your negative, unhealthy thoughts and behaviors outnumber your positives? As human beings we all get stuck in habitual patterns. By being more conscious and aware, this is the first step to becoming unstuck. Once you replace your negative actions with healthy, positive ones—you will start seeing powerful, life-changing results!
Breathe Deep, Stretch, and Let the Sunshine in
First thing in the morning, take a few deep breaths and stretch. Your body has been inactive for 7-9 hours and a good stretch helps shake off sleepiness, awakens stiff muscles, and gets the blood circulating. Then open the blinds and let some sunlight in. Letting in natural light takes the body out of sleep mode, energizes the body, and stimulates the brain to stop producing the sleep hormone melatonin.
Exercise
A good morning workout triggers the “feel good” hormone endorphins and lowers stress hormones, while giving you an energy boost that can last all day. Whether you take a brisk morning walk, or take a yoga class—a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio combined with strength training 3-4 times a week will help rev up your energy levels, while building your endurance, stamina, and strength. Refer to Tip #4 here.
Drink Green Tea Instead of Coffee
Instead of your usual cup of coffee in the morning, try a hot cup of antioxidant-rich green tea with a teaspoon of manuka honey, for its many health and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Eat a Nutrient Rich Diet
Food is fuel for our body. Eating nutrient dense foods ensures you’re getting the nutrition your body needs. Opt for a healthy diet of lean meats, poultry, fish, organically grown fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, and low fat dairy products. For optimal health be sure each meal is nutritionally balanced, containing lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, like extra-virgin olive oil. And for anti-aging health and nutrition, make sure you’re including plenty of antioxidant-rich foods in your daily diet.
Avoid Irregular Eating Patterns
Eating 5-6 small frequent meals throughout the day helps maintain a steady supply of nutrients to the body, stabilizes blood sugar levels, keeps your metabolism stoked to help burn more calories, and gives you more energy and stamina. But eating more often isn’t for everyone. If you have a problem with portion control or staying disciplined, just make sure you’re not exceeding your daily calorie allotment and that you’re making healthy food choices, and not skipping meals (especially breakfast). Start your day with a wholesome, balanced breakfast such as whole grain cereal with fruit, eggs with whole grain toast, oatmeal, yogurt, or a healthy fruit smoothie.
Take an Anti-Aging Multi-Vitamin
Along with a healthy balanced diet, make sure to supply your body with all the nutrients it needs to function properly, with a good anti-aging multi-vitamin containing powerful and energizing cell rejuvenating antioxidants. Also, for those who do not eat fish or foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids—a 500 mg. supplement is recommended. For digestive health, take digestive enzymes during or immediately after each meal.
Avoid Processed Junk Food
Limit, or better yet, completely avoid foods with little or no nutritional value such as foods containing white flour, refined sugars, high fructose corn syrup, refined vegetable oils, artificial sweeteners, food additives, and foods high in sodium. Opt for healthy whole foods (food in its natural state) and preferably organic.
NOTE: Health is not about deprivation. If you’re a die hard sugar junkie, don’t think you have to give up all your favorite sweet treats—just make sure you get in your healthy food choices first, and then enjoy your sweets in moderation.
Drink Plenty of Water
Lubricate your body by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and especially first thing in the morning upon awakening. Water is essential for dehydration prevention, flushing out toxins and wastes, oxygenation of cells, healthy digestion, and decreasing the risk of many cancers. There is no substitute for water!
Take a Spiritual Break
The practice of daily meditation has numerous physiological, psychological, and spiritual health benefits and is a wonderful way to relieve stress and strengthen the body’s immune system.
Practice Deep Breathing
Let your anxiety melt away by practicing deep breathing exercises every day. Deep breathing is a relaxation technique that improves both physical and mental wellness by releasing tension from the body and clearing the mind, while oxygenating every cell in the body, and giving you boundless energy.
Soak Up Energy From the Sun
Take a walk, breathe in fresh air, and spend some time in nature. Our best source of vitamin-D is sun exposure. The sun helps alleviate depression and fatigue and is extremely energizing. Just 15-20 minutes of sunshine 3-4 days a week is enough to produce the body’s requirement of vitamin-D. If you remain outside any longer than that, apply a natural sunscreen.
Keep Your Positive Energy Flowing
If you want to truly enhance your life and bring in a positive energy flow… stop thinking about what’s wrong in your life, and start focusing on what’s right. A positive attitude is very healing and energizing. A good place to start is with a gratitude journal. By keeping a gratitude journal you become more conscious and aware of the positive things in life that you are grateful for.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Getting enough sleep is critical for proper brain function, keeping the heart healthy, reducing stress, and repairing the body. Sufficient sleep promotes good physical health, longevity, and emotional well-being.
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