When we think about living a healthy life, we think about the basics, eating healthy and working out. Not knocking these two things, because they are essential to living a healthier lifestyle, but they are not solely everything. There are a few changes and additions you can make in your everyday life  to help create an overall healthier lifestyle. Making simple changes can go along way and ultimately benefit you in the end. Creating a healthier lifestyle to live by shouldn’t be an option but a necessity to a life full of longevity and good health. Having a healthy body on the outside is nice, but being sure that you are just as healthy on the inside is important.

We understand that most of us have busy lives whether you’re a mom, a student, work full-time or just have a full schedule daily that it can be very hard to keep healthy habits. We want to give you a few tips and tricks to live a healthier lifestyle in the most simple way possible.

Tricks to improve your everyday health

Cucumber Lemon Water

Hydration is an important factor in almost any situation, but when it comes to living a healthy life this is not one that you want to take lightly. Drinking tons of liquids is recommended to help with weight loss, lowering blood pressure, promoting healthy skin, increased circulation, bone health and the list goes on. It gets tough drinking regular water all day, especially when the recommended amount is about eight glasses daily. We have to find other tricks to consuming our water in a tastier way without any added calories. Lemon and cucumber water are mostly seen in spas, but this water is incredibly easy to make at home and help get you to your daily intake fast and easy. Many times we eat thinking that our body is hungry when in fact our body is simply dehydrated. Most people confuse hunger and thirst throughout their days and this adds extra calories to their diet that can be avoided. 

It can be hard to get all of the antioxidants we need throughout our day. Cucumbers are full of vitamin C, manganese and flavonoid antioxidants. So simply adding this to your water gives you antioxidants throughout the day that you were not going to consume before. Also, those that struggle with skin conditions may notice clearer healthier skin by helping your body flush out toxins. You are able to get your daily value of vitamin B-5 by consuming cucumbers. So next time you reach for a tall glass of water, be sure that you add lemon and cucumber for more benefits.

Cut out sugar

Now I know what you're thinking, is this even possible? Well, to some extent, yes. A healthy body cannot survive on a body full of sugar and processed foods. This is a huge part of your healthy lifestyle changes that you should highly consider and here’s why. Sugar is linked to many negative life threatening conditions such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, liver disease and so on. By reducing or better yet removing sugar from your diet, you are avoiding any of these taking effect on your life. Cutting out sugar won’t happen overnight and should happen slowly and gradually. This is going to be a tough one, because you will start to realize how much unnecessary sugar you were eating or drinking in your daily diet.

Start off by simple things such as lessening the amount of sugar and cream you are adding into your morning cup of joe. Be sure that you area reading labels because sugar hides in many foods that you would never expect. In most cases that people follow no sugar diets, end up avoiding simple carbs being that it ends up converting to sugar. Avoiding simple carbohydrates such as white flour, white pasta and white rice are great ways to start. The best way that we advise getting sugar into your body is naturally. Eating fruits and vegetables has natural unrefined ingredients and helps give your body what it needs without feeling deprived. By cutting out sugar you’ll not only notice that you feel better internally, but you’ll notice wonderful benefits such as clearer skin, fat loss, happier moods and reduced risks of life threatening conditions.

Suppress your appetite

Now this does not mean to starve yourself. Most women and even men think that by not eating they will get to their weight loss goals quicker. Suppressing your appetite doesn’t mean to completely cut food from your diet, but rather eat specific superfoods to help keep you full longer. In most cases we just eat because we’re bored or because we think we have to. If you are eating the right foods, your body will be full longer and get the nutrients it needs. One of our favorite ways to curb your appetite and control your body from overeating is by consuming flaxseed. Flaxseed is high in fiber and is a natural appetite suppressant. All you need is about one tablespoon of flaxseed. Some people choose to take it in the form of a pill and or adding it into your morning smoothie is a great way to consume your daily serving of flaxseed. Flaxseed consumes protein, fiber, healthy fat and additional minerals so consuming this has a plethora of benefits for your health. This is a very easy step to add into your routine to contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

Take brief walks

This is an important one for those that work in an office environment, but even if you don’t, this still applies to you. During our days we sit at work, while we’re eating, driving to and from places, etc. all of this time adds up to more time sitting than getting movement. Adding a few brief walks or running tours throughout your day will benefit your body health and you’ll notice that you feel like you have more frequent energy. Walking sporadically throughout your day has increased health benefits such as reduced body fat, stronger bones, improved balance, reduced risk of heart disease and much more. If you work at a desk job, you should consider taking a few short walks throughout the day if this is an option for you. If not, then at least standing up for a minute or two is still a great way of getting your circulation flowing. You will notice that such a small difference will actually make a big difference later down the road. You can try little tricks like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to grab coffee or possibly bike or walk to work if it’s close enough to do so. We understand that not everyone has the luxuries of doing this in the middle of their day’s, so if you’re not able to then make sure that at the end of the day you get in at least 30 minutes of cardio. Find more about how you can remain fit with different home workouts!

There are so many ways how you can improve your physical and mental health and these are a few quick kickstarts that you can begin doing. It’s all about starting somewhere, you don’t have to go cold turkey on your favorite items or workout for 4 hours a day, but begin by taking little steps into this. Remember that the little changes count and lead to a healthier lifestyle!