Human beings are well-oiled machines. However, they do require some maintenance to remain that way. Therefore, don’t neglect your health if you want to feel and look your best! However, if you’re unsure where to start and need some tips on how to improve your health right now, read on.
Get your eyes examined
Starting with those bright windows to the soul, you should ensure your eye health is in check if you want to improve your health right now. Try to limit your screen time, as the blue light emitted from your devices is known to cause eyestrain. If you rely heavily on technology — if you work on the computer and are forced to stare at a screen all day, for instance — you should take adequate breaks every 30 minutes. Make sure to do a few eye exercises, too. Practice looking up and down repeatedly for a few minutes. Staring at one object for too long can also weaken your eye muscles, so it’s best to implement this practice into your daily workflow. You can also try placing a moving finger in front of your face. Have your eyes track it from side to side for a few minutes to restore blood flow to this area of your body. You can keep a bottle of artificial tears in a work bag or purse to keep those eyes refreshed.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, use them every day — especially if you’re staring at a monitor for hours This small yet beneficial habit will also promote good eye health and lessen the strain on your eyes. On the flip side, neglecting to wear your glasses can result in worsened vision and even head-splitting migraines.
Unsure if you need glasses? Look for these symptoms when trying to determine whether or not corrective lenses are necessary.
- You can see a “halo” around everyday objects
- Your eyes feel tired all the time
- Your vision is blurry or takes a while to focus
- You’re experiencing double vision
If you’ve noticed one or more signs, make an appointment with an eye care physician right away. However, if you don’t have insurance, look into purchasing an affordable insurance plan so the cost of care doesn’t prevent you from meeting with a professional. Even if your vision seems fine, a checkup is never a bad idea. Your doctor can screen for a variety of eye-illnesses, such as cataracts, and intervene if they need to.
Visit your dentist
Moving onto your smile, meeting with a dentist is another important aspect if you want to improve your health right now. Since good and consistent dental care is so vital for your overall health, you won’t want to skip these regular appointments. Keeping your mouth clear of bacteria promote whiter teeth, improve your breath, and prevent gingivitis. Gingivitis and cavities can lead to rotten teeth and bleeding gums. Bacteria from tooth decay and infections can even find its way into your bloodstream, largely affecting other areas of your body such as the stomach.
A nice smile is also likely to make a great first impression and boost your confidence. After all, almost 99.7% of people say that having an attractive smile is a valuable personal asset to have. Therefore, meeting with a dentist twice a year is advised, as they can take care of any dental fillings you may need to prevent these cavities from spreading. They can also assist you through cosmetic dentistry if you want to take your smile to the next level. Teeth whitening, for example, may not have a direct impact on your health, but it can make you feel more comfortable about your pearly whites.
There are also a few things you can do at home to take care of your teeth, such as regular flossing and brushing. But visiting your dentist for cleanings, fillings, and checkups is the ultimate way to care for your mouth and improve your health right now.
Have your hearing checked
You might believe that hearing loss is just a problem that only elderly people experience. In reality, anyone can experience hearing loss. While it can be tempting to blast your tunes while cruising down the highway, try to keep the volume level moderate. If you’re attending a music festival or concert, use earplugs and only remove them for a limited time — when your favorite artist is on stage, for example. In addition, try not to stand too close to the speakers. When listening to music on a personal device, follow this same principle to improve your health right now, and keep the volume at a low to moderate level. You should still be able to hear what’s going on in the world around you.
These are just a few ways you can preserve your hearing on your own. If you’re concerned about developing hearing loss down the line, book an appointment with an audiology specialist. They can assess whether you have hearing loss or are experiencing another problem that might attribute to your discomfort or difficulty hearing.
Follow an exercise routine
Many jobs today take place in offices, causing many workers to lead sedentary lifestyles. Not to mention, sitting at a desk all day can lead to a weakened core, which can cause bad back pain. But leading a more active lifestyle can help you maintain a healthy weight, fight disease, and increase your energy levels. If this is your first-time implementing ritualistic exercise, here are some tips for finding a suitable activity to get your blood pumping.
For starters, you can join a gym in your area. Pick up weight training and form a consistent schedule for the week. For example, Monday can be your arm day, Tuesday can be your cardio day, and Wednesday can be your leg day. Be sure to create a schedule that allows your body to rest and recover, of course.
Weight training is extremely beneficial for your muscles, bones, and joints. Weight training also makes the body release endorphins, which can make you feel energized and happy. Implementing weight training has also been linked to improved sleep, which is another important factor if you want to improve your health right now.
Taking up a sport you love is another great idea! If sports aren’t your thing, tennis or pickleball may be a decent option, as these activities involve an impressive amount of cardio while being fun and relatively easy for beginners to pick up. These are sports that can help you lose weight quickly and prevent harmful conditions such as heart disease, too. You’ll need a few pieces of pickleball apparel before you start, such as a racket and proper shoes. But once you get started, you’ll soon find any excuse to hit the court.
Lastly, swimming is another example of a healthy form of exercise you can implement. Not only is it an effective form of cardio, but it’s also a low-impact activity. For example, if you have bad knees or an achy back, the water may help relieve that. Not to mention, you can burn up to 600 calories in a single workout. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s something you enjoy and that allows your body to get moving in some capacity on a regular basis.
Limit your alcohol consumption
If you want to improve your health right now and feel the benefits almost immediately, cut out alcoholic beverages. Why? Alcohol contains empty calories. Your body can’t use this for energy since it doesn’t categorize it as proper nutrition. Therefore, it is stored as excess fat on the body. Not to mention, those awful hangovers can cause you to feel sluggish and dehydrated. You don’t have to ditch social gatherings with friends altogether. But when you cut out this substance that does not serve you, you’re also setting a good example for your friend group. It will also lessen the likelihood of you needing to hire a drunk driving defense lawyer down the line.
Embrace a plant-rich diet
If you want to improve your diet right now, switching up your diet is a great place to start. A vegan diet has been shown to limit the risks associated with heart disease and obesity. This plant-rich diet, after all, emphasizes eating fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy whole grains. However, when first starting this diet, keep in mind that many people make the mistake of neglecting their protein intake. You cannot survive on potatoes and rice alone. To stay full, and focused, make sure you are eating an adequate amount of this essential macronutrient by consuming the following items.
- Black or pinto beans
- Vegan protein powders (avoid whey)
- Nuts and seeds
- Seasoned tofu
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Plant based meat
Plant-based protein works at the same caliber as animal-based protein, so you won’t be sacrificing quality. Just ask any vegan bodybuilder! When transitioning to a plant focused diet, you want to get enough vitamin B12, too. Fortified cereals and soy milk have enough for you to get your daily dose.
Learn how to meditate for your mental wellbeing
Meditation is vastly important for your mental wellbeing and spiritual health. You can’t exercise the body and neglect the mind. If you’re determined to improve your health right now, implementing daily meditation is one of the easiest ways to do so.
It’s not a difficult skill to learn; however, it will require your full attention and commitment. You can start by following guided meditations online. The ultimate goal to achieve mindfulness. But why is this skill so important? Often, our minds are clouded by past mistakes or plagued by events that have yet to happen. Learning to be mindful through meditation, however, can allow you to turn this anxious part of your brain off. It may also help ease depression and stress, and allow you to achieve better sleep. Find a quiet place in your home to sit down and focus on your breathing.
Take vitamins and supplements to improve your health right now
Vitamins and supplements are necessary if you’re not getting enough from food alone. If you’re feeling low on energy, you notice your hair is falling out, and that your nails are looking brittle, these can be the main signs of a vitamin deficiency. Meet with your doctor to discover the root of your problem, and supplement with a pill or powder if need be.
Get ample sleep
Sleep is when the body repairs itself. If you’re not getting enough, you may be canceling out all the hard work you’re putting into your health every day. Therefore, make sure you set a reasonable bedtime for yourself — yes, bedtimes aren’t just for kids! Power your phone down, turn the television off, and try to squeeze in a relaxing hobby or activity before turning in for the night. If you struggle to catch some quality Zs, try taking melatonin an hour before bed. You can take it sublingually for the best results.
Limit your caffeine consumption
Lastly, make sure to keep this in mind if you want to improve your health right now. Steer clear of sugar-laden drinks like soda. Drinking these in excess can lead to weight gain and not to mention a caffeine addiction. While a cup of coffee or two is fine on a daily basis, try to drink more water throughout the day than anything else. Water will hydrate your body, while these other heavily process drinks can have an adverse effect on you in the long run.
Final thoughts on how to improve your health right now
If you want to change your life and improve your health right now, these are just a handful of tips to implement. When fixating on your health, remember that it can take a while to see results. But consistency is key — and if you’re diligent about implementing these ideas and principles every day, you’ll likely become a healthier and happier version of yourself.
