20 Simple Ways To Improve Your Health

Several years ago I had sort of a "health awakening" and have been on that journey ever since. I wouldn't call myself a health nut by any means but I do try to make conscious decisions regarding the health of myself and my family. Before, I would just eat whatever and whenever not knowing that most of the food in our grocery stores were made up of harmful ingredients.

As you all know by now, I like to keep things as uncomplicated as possible.  Here are 20 simple ways to improve your health in this fast paced world we're living in. Most of these things we already know but over time we've gotten less enthusiastic and often forget to even think about them.

*Disclaimer* I am NOT a medical professional. If you need medical advice please seek a medical professional. I'm just a real human, who is also a real mom, in a real world trying to do what's best for my family.

1. Start your day right.

I'm a huge fan of getting off on the right foot. For me this means getting up well before my kiddos so I can have alone time. I read my Bible, pray, journal, blog a little. It gives me a better chance at being a good mom when they wake up. Devoting the first moments of my day to God gives me strength and patience to get through the less appealing moments as they arise.

2. Drink your water.

Some of the major functions of water in your body are: it transports nutrients and oxygen to your cells, protects your vital organs, and regulates body temperature just to name a few.  It also helps replenish your skin tissues, meaning your skin will look younger and healthier if you are drinking the right amount of water.

Water also flushes the toxins out of your body.  Forget the nasty cleanse programs!  Water will do just fine.  Drinking 1-2 liters of water in the morning, before anything else, will help cleanse your body.  It’s also better to rid the toxins that way than sweating it through your skin. (source)

3. Eat your breakfast.

This is going to get your metabolism going for the day. Your metabolism came to a screeching halt while you were asleep so it's time to fire up those engines for the day.

4. Move your body.

You don't need to complicate your fitness routine. If you've been inactive and are ready to start doing something then that's just what you need to do. Start moving. Start doing just a little more than you already do. If you can walk 20 minutes, walk 30. If you can hardly get off the couch. Walk to your mailbox. Do something more than what you normally do.

5. Get your beauty sleep.

It is so important for your body to get sleep. A good night's sleep helps you maintain a healthy weight, reduces stress and depression, and improves your mood to name a few. (source)

6. Avoid artificial sweeteners.

Artificial sweeteners are just that. Artificial. They're loaded with chemicals that are known to cause cancer. So, you're replacing one evil (sugar) with one that I believe is far worse. These nasty little things are in over 6,000 food items found at your grocery store. Yikes! (source)

7. Choose organic.

Going organic can be quite pricey. It's something that we've done gradually and we still don't buy everything organic. Here's a handy list that will show you the "Dirty Dozen" that you really want to buy the organic version of and the 12 least contaminated foods that should be ok to pass on the organic version.

8. Toss the junk.

If your pantry and fridge are loaded with junk, just go toss it now. Don't worry about the wasted money. If you know it's bad for you and you would be better off not eating it, get rid of it now. You can thank me later.

9. Stretch or do yoga.

Stretching offers greater flexibility, increased range of motion, better circulation, pain relief, and better posture.  As you get older, your muscles get tighter and shorter {I certainly don’t need to get any shorter }.  Regularly stretching or practicing yoga can help keep those muscles loose.  This will also help improve your range of motion which will give you better balance.  When you stretch, you also get better circulation.  We all need this to keep our muscles healthy and happy! (source)

10. Take your vitamins.

Avoid vitamins made with all sorts of artificial ingredients and dyes. Choose vitamins made from whole complete foods to ensure better absorption of the vitamins you actually need.

11. Avoid refined sugars.

Refined sugars can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar and can increase your risk of cancer. Not to mention the calorie and carb overload it offers... I mean the harm these babies cause is endless. (source)

12. Let the sun shine.

The sun is  your main source of vitamin D and helps your body's ability to absorb it.  You need to get about 10-15 min of direct sun 2-3 times a week with no sunscreen. (source, source)

13. Shop local.

Going to your local Farmer's Market is not only a great way to stay healthy, it supports your community. We need our local farmers to stay in business. I'd rather get my fruit and veggies freshly picked than from the store where they were picked several weeks ago and then ripened with chemicals to make them look pretty.

14. Take care of your skin.

Your skin is your body's largest organ. Take care of it! Drink plenty of water to keep it soft and supple. Avoid using harsh ingredients that most over the counter products contain. I make a simple oil cleanser for my face and my skin has never looked better!

15. Plan ahead.

Menu planning is so important for your health. I have a whole chapter dedicated to this in my book, The Simplicity Project. When you have a plan, you are less likely to eat out which means you're saving money AND calories!

16. Decrease alcohol consumption.

Did you know that drinking one mixed drink per night adds up to 2000 calories per week? Crazy! Not only that but alcohol slows your metabolism and can cause depression. No bueno. Choose wine or light beer in moderation to keep your health risks at a minimum.

17. Relax.

Take a break and decompress. Clear the mental clutter. Our brains are on overload and it's causing too much stress, anxiety, and depression. Take a moment to really think about what's causing you stress and get rid of it. Say no more often. Take time out for yourself. Whatever clutter is filling your brain, get it out.

18. Make it yourself.

Making your favorite “restaurant” foods at home can save you money, calories, and Lord knows what else!  Even if you’re craving a greasy cheeseburger and fries, preparing it at home can make a world of difference.  You can make your own buns, or buy some high quality whole grain buns.  Use grass fed beef {which tastes better anyways}, organic veggies, and bake your fries.  Not only will you be cutting your calories, you’ll know what’s going into your meal.

Whatever it is that’s your favorite guilty pleasure when you eat out, you can make it at home better.  So instead of cutting out your favorite completely, try it yourself!

19. Volunteer.

Serving in your church or community is a great way to stay healthy. You're getting your mind off of yourself and doing what you were created to do.

20. Love your spine

Our spines are often neglected which is a shame since they control our bodies. When are spine is aligned, we feel great. When we have a subluxation (misalignment of the spine), it can affect our entire body. Starting from the top of your spine and working our way down, here are just a few problems that can be caused from a misaligned spine:

Headaches
Sinus problems
Allergies
Ear infections
Thyroid problems
Asthma
Heart problems
Bronchitis
Ulcers
Digestive problems
Bed wetting
Infertility problems
Menstrual problems
Diarrhea
Varicose Veins
Hemorrhoids
Pain when sitting
And the list goes on…

If you've never seen a chiropractor, I highly recommend it! It's cured so many of my ailments including migraines, lower back pain, and allergies.

What are some simple ways that you stay healthy?

This post is part of a series 31 Days of Simplicity. If you want to learn to create margin in all areas of your life, you may want to check out my new book, The Simplicity Project.

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