When it comes to our health, today’s reality might look grim. Childhood obesity is on the rise, and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has skyrocketed, but there’s good news: You don’t always have to reach for medications in order to regain control of your health. Achieving wellness starts with you, and you can learn how to become healthier naturally. So the next time you start wondering how to improve your health, why not take a look in the mirror?
How to Become Healthier Naturally
Diet
It’s no secret that a good diet is key to a healthy, active, and long life. Doctors and physicians have long prescribed diets rich in fruits and vegetables. That’s because unhealthy diets are linked to heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, some cancers, and obesity.
According to Health and Human Services, more than one-third of adults in the United States and some 17 percent of children ages 2 through 19 are obese. And while excess weight leads to diseases like hypertension and heart disease, even people at a healthy weight can suffer these health risks due to poor eating habits.
In fact, seemingly minor health issues are connected to your diet. Common aches, pains, allergies, and even internal illnesses can be reduced by correcting unhealthy eating habits. A healthy eating plan starts by focusing on providing your body with the nutrients it needs each day. That means eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins including fish, beans, nuts, and eggs. It’s also important to limit saturated fats, sodium, and sugar while keeping portion size in mind.
Water
Often overlooked, water is key to your health. Not only does it maintain your body’s normal temperature, but it lubricates and cushions joints, protects your spinal cord, pushes waste through your system, aids in digestion, and even helps you think faster. That’s right! Researchers at UC Davis found that when your brain has enough water, you think faster, remain focused, and enjoy a boost in creativity. That’s because water plays an essential role in getting nutrients to the brain while also flushing out unwanted toxins.
Not drinking enough water leads to a variety of health issues including headaches, fatigue, sleep problems, and stress. Dehydration can even be confused with hunger. So the next time your stomach starts grumbling, drink a glass of water before pulling out the snacks. It’s also a good idea to keep track of the amount of water you drink each day. According to the Institute of Medicine, adult men should drink three liters per day while adult women should consume around two liters of water per day. Your daily intake of water also depends on your environment. If you live in a humid climate, like summertime in the Ozarks, your body loses more water through sweat.
Exercise
Regular exercise is a key factor when considering how to become healthier naturally. That’s because even frequent, low-impact workouts like walking come with numerous health benefits. Something as simple as walking can help you maintain an optimal weight; prevent common diseases like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease; strengthen muscles; improve your mood; and even benefit your memory. Researchers have also found that regular exercise lowers your risk of Alzheimer’s. That’s because exercise stimulates new connections between brain cells, which fights off the common decline in brain tissue that often comes with age.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity like running, swimming, walking or even mowing the lawn each week. If it’s weight loss you’re after, the Mayo Clinic suggests bumping up your weekly workout time from 150 minutes to 300 minutes each week.
Sleep
Even at a young age, you were told how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. As an adult, sleep is still a crucial element to maintaining your health, so keep it in mind if you’re trying to learn how to become healthier naturally.
For starters, sleep and memory are intertwined. Researchers at Harvard Medical School have long studied the relationship between sleep and memory, and they found that sleep deprivation has a negative impact on a person’s ability to focus and consolidate new memories.
But it’s not just your brain that benefits from a good night’s sleep. The National Institutes of Health argues that sleep impacts your physical health just as much as your mental health. Sleep studies found that continued sleep deficiency is linked to an increased risk of common diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and even heart disease. Turns out, your parents were wise to enforce a regular bedtime.
Finally, lack of sleep is also linked to an increased risk of obesity. The NIH reports that for each hour of sleep lost, a teenager’s odds of becoming obese rose.
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So the next time you start evaluating how to regain control of your health, consider natural options. Remember that if you want to learn how to become healthier naturally, the journey starts with you.
In addition to the ideas mentioned above, we encourage you to explore a holistic approach to medicine that focuses on treating the underlying causes of a disease instead of just its symptoms. At Loehr Health Center, we offer a full range of services including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional consultations, and hormone testing.
Whether you are in pain and hoping for relief or simply want to improve your wellness routine, we can help you upgrade your health. To learn more, contact Loehr Health Center today. Give us a call at 417-319-7670 or contact us online to schedule your first appointment.
