Uncontested Ways to Improve Health

The most basic ways to improve your health revolve around diet, hydration, sleep, and exercise, but with new research coming out daily, it can be hard to determine what tangible steps to take. One day you hear gluten is the enemy, the next you hear only those with conditions should avoid it and if you investigated each side, you’d find both arguments are sound. This example tends to be the normal in health culture so let’s dive smaller with three uncontested ways to improve your health that aren’t incredibly vague with two bonus stress reduction tips that will help.

Stretching

Stretch! This is perhaps the best way to improve your health immediately. Stretch anytime you think about it, do it right now. Stretching keeps you young by improving posture, circulation, mood, etc. It even releases toxins and point short, it contributes to your general well-being. It’s one of the most overlooked ways to have lifelong vitality and not be stopped over and cramped up when you're 90.

Taking Breaks

The busier we become, the more tempted we are to cut corners with working lunches and x-ing smaller breaks from work all together. The people who do take breaks often stay at their desk. Not only does this contribute to things like Sitting Disease (It’s true, look it up), it also contributes to mental fatigue and dwindles mental clarity. The most successful people are quoted saying they know how to rest well and taking regular breaks from your work is one way to do that. It will improve your physical and mental health by creating space, reducing cortisol, increasing productivity, which boosts your mood, increases circulation and so much more.

Stress Reduction

Steven Gundry, MD knows the effects of stress on the heart and balance is key. If you want to improve your general health, you need to reduce your stress levels. Lowering stress in your life can look different for everyone, it could be something as simple as changing your mindset or as complex as changing careers, but the benefits are clear. You’ll enjoy a longer life with higher quality, reduce muscle aches and cramps, increase energy, sleep better, improve digestion and maintain a healthier weight more easily. This notion is about as far as most articles will go, they’ll tell you reduce stress and you’ll be well—just let it all go. Here, though, specifics were promised so here are your bonus tips, two specific techniques to reduce stress that aren’t as mainstream. They are one, mindful walking and two, grounding.

Mindful walking is an exercise of being fully present with no thoughts other than what you can see, smell, feel and hear in that exact moment—nothing else. While it is a form of meditation, it isn’t as scary to the novice because all you have to do is walk and focus on your walk. You’ll find when you only focus on that walk, only acknowledge thoughts that are specific to that moment’s senses, you can’t be unhappy, you can’t be chronically stressed. After all nothing else exists but the children laughing, the sun on your shoulders, the concrete below your shoe as it peels up and touches back down.

Grounding is another stress reduction technique particularly helpful for people suffering from anxiety. You can do it anywhere, it’s a change of mindset. Basically, you shift your energy from your head, where most anxiety operates, to your core, pelvis or feet. It’s instant relaxation. Imagine your heavy in your feet, feel them touch the ground and the grounds pull to the center of the Earth. When you feel connected to the ground, you feel safe.

So, we have three uncontested ways to improve your health. Stretch, take regular breaks, and lower those stress levels. It’s so simple to dismiss the notion, so feel it, really register that these three things are going to help make and keep you well. In fact, they are already are if you stretched and stayed present while you read this, and you know what? Go ahead and take a break.