Healthy Living Hacks and Tips That Make All the Difference

There are hacks for everything now, and healthy living is probably one of the topics with the most entries. But health is wealth, they say, so maybe there’s no such thing as too much health. Almost every day, there’s a new source of pollution, one more thing to eat away at your life span. The last thing you need is to not care.

Interestingly, the surest tips and hacks for a healthy life are the little things we overlook; “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is no joke.

While writing this article, I thought first of the tips that work for me – my sleep policy, breakfast, and quiet time – but it’s also what works for many people judging from what I found.

Me before and after breakfast is like the Evil Queen versus Snow White

I’ve added a few other tips I came across on the internet and, even though I’ll be delusional to think this is your first healthy living hack article, I hope it serves as a much-needed reminder.

You only live once, so if you’re interested in making the most of it, continue reading.

1. Get no less than 7 hours of sleep

You work so hard already. The least you can do is allow your body recover. As someone who has gotten the workaholic label one too many times, I can tell you it’s a clear difference between when I sleep adequately and when I don’t. Motivational speakers can get into our heads; telling us how little we need to sleep to achieve more. Can I burst that bubble? Your body is deaf to motivational speeches. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleeping for seven to nine hours has amazing benefits for your brain, mood and energy. Interestingly, resting well also reduces your insulin levels, slashes stress and produces radiant, glowing skin. What are you waiting for?

2. Begin each morning with lemon water

I’d be shocked if you’ve never heard of this tip. The immense benefits derived from simply drinking warm water and lemon juice cannot be quantified. It flushes toxins out of your system, cleanses your palate, and gets your digestive system working perfectly. All you have to do is add fresh-squeezed lemon or lemon oil to a glass of warm water first thing in the morning. If you must use lemon oil, make sure it’s edible and natural. That’s it! Your body is thus equipped to fight inflammation and boost your overall health.

Warning: Consult with your doctor to make sure there are no health issues that can make this a problem for you. I had a stomach ulcer at some point and was advised to keep off anything acidic.

3. Have breakfast within the first half-hour

Who else is a mess until they’ve had breakfast? This is probably the most difficult tip for me. I never liked breakfast, but growing older meant changes in my body and I realized me before and after breakfast was like the Evil Queen versus Snow White. You see, when asleep, your metabolism slows down, and it takes an hour for it to begin working at a normal pace. So, having breakfast before your metabolism awakens completely will help you stay full much longer. It would also prevent you from eating a bigger meal later in the day. Oh! If you eat a lot of fiber, I can bet you’ll be less tempted to snack.

4. Meditate

I can’t tell you how much this is bliss for me. Setting aside as little as five minutes to meditate can make all the difference in your day. Especially if you’re like me and your mind is a virtual planner, you need the time to Just Be Still. I take the time to pray or just listen to some soothing music, but you can do whatever works for you – I’ve heard chants are a common favorite. And guess what? Research has shown that persons who commit to daily meditation are less stressed, sleep better, and enjoy greater immune function than those who do not. Just saying.

5. Take baths with Epsom salts

Epsom salts help boost magnesium levels. And yes, magnesium levels are drained by stress, which there’s no shortage of in today’s world. Epsom salts also produce serotonin which triggers feelings of calmness and relaxation in the brain for functions like pain relief and circulation. By adding Epsom salts to your bath, you enjoy an extra boost of relaxation. Besides the fact that it’s affordable and easily accessible (you can find in nearly any drugstore), it helps with insomnia and anxiety. How sweet!