We’ve all been there. You wake up in the morning groggy and aching. You roll out of bed and immediately bolt for that first cup of coffee, before grabbing something quick to eat and running out that door. By the time you get to work, all you want to do is go home and get back into bed.
It’s a vicious cycle – we work too hard, stay up too late, eat the wrong foods, and don’t get out and move enough. And as a result, we are more tired and less focused, which just perpetuates the cycle. So what can you do to improve your health? Here are just a few ideas:
- Eliminate smoking and tobacco products
- Work with your doctor and/or a registered dietitian to create an eating plan
- Limit screen time (mobile devices, computers and TV) several hours before bed for a more restful sleep
- Carve out time in your schedule 2-3 days a week to add physical activity to your daily routine
- Add small intervals of physical activity at convenient moments – walk around on your lunch break, hold walking meetings, switch to a standing desk, etc.
So what happens once you’ve ditched the unhealthy in favor of the healthy? It’s not easy, but if you create a healthy routine and build up small, impactful habits, you can really turn things around. Some of the benefits include:
Longer Life
The biggest benefit of healthy living is that you’ll be around longer to enjoy life with your friends and loved ones. Managing your daily stress, eating healthier, getting more frequent physical activity, and being mindful about your emotions and general outlook on life can all contribute to a longer, happier existence.
More Energy
If you rely on caffeine or energy drinks for a daily boost, you might be tricking yourself into believing you have the energy to make it through the day. But the energy that comes naturally with a healthier lifestyle will put those artificial jumpstarts to shame. Living healthier, you can expect an easier time getting out of bed, more restful sleep, and fewer midday crashes – all without the jitters that come from large doses of caffeine or vitamin B-infused energy drinks.
Smaller Risk of Disease
A lot of scientific research cites poor lifestyle choices as a risk factor for numerous diseases. Malnutrition, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking can all contribute to the risk of developing a significant disease that can alter the rest of your life.
Improved Mood
Have you ever heard of endorphins? Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals in your brain that promote feelings of wellness and relaxation. The easiest way to increase your brain’s production of endorphins is to increase your physical activity. Exercise has been shown to drastically ramp up your brain’s endorphin production, leaving you feeling less stressed and more focused.
Lower Insurance Premiums
As if the physical benefits weren’t enough, you can also lower your insurance premiums by making healthier lifestyle choices. Eliminating risk factors like smoking or being overweight can play a big role in your health insurance premiums. Making yourself less of a risk to insure can result in big savings when it comes to renew your policy.
Are you looking to make some lifestyle changes? Talk to your doctor about putting together a healthy plan to address something in your life. And if you want to save on your insurance, consider asking your insurance provider to identify some of the risk factors that are impacting your premiums, and how you can address them.
