Embarking on a journey toward better health doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Small, consistent changes can have a significant impact. Here are the top healthy habits you can start implementing right away to improve your overall well-being:
Get Your Mind Right
Did you know that people with a positive self-perception of aging live, on average, 7.5 years longer than those with a negative perception of aging? [Source]
The concept of mindset around aging, significantly influences our overall longevity and quality of life. Contrary to common misconceptions, having a positive mindset doesn’t necessarily equate to a naive optimism where one imagines life to be an endless parade of rainbows and butterflies. Instead, it involves a realistic yet hopeful outlook toward the aging process.
It's about recognizing that our later years can be filled with growth, learning, and fulfillment, rather than resigning to a fatalistic view where one feels at the mercy of their aging bodies. The study’s findings suggest that those who adopt a defeatist attitude toward aging—those who believe it's all downhill from here—are the ones who may experience a shorter lifespan.
So, check in with your “self-talk”. If you are finding your self-talk negative around aging, take a moment to reset your thoughts. Try to view aging as a positive and manageable aspect of life, as this cannot only enrich our later years, but could potentially extend them significantly.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Drinking enough water is essential for your body's basic functions. Staying hydrated helps in detoxification, enhances skin and digestive health, and a lot more.
If you are constantly feeling tired or hungry, you may be chronically dehydrated. Just increasing your water consumption, may have a huge positive impact on your energy levels.
Hint: Always choose filtered water to avoid any of the bad stuff, such as fluoride or chlorine. To help you drink more water, get a pretty pitcher and fill it first thing in the morning. Put it in a place you will see it and drink it throughout the day. Try to finish it by early afternoon, or it may impact the next healthy habit tip...sleep.
Read: How Chlorinated Water Impacts Our Body's Ability to Use Iodine
Prioritize Sleep
Good sleep is crucial for mental clarity, emotional well-being, and physical health. From heart health and weight loss, to thinking and memory, sleep is a critical part of your overall health. Prioritizing sleep is an investment in your overall well-being.
The average person should aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. It’s not just about the quantity of sleep, but also its quality; as uninterrupted, deep sleep plays a vital role in various bodily functions and healing processes.
Have a clear bedtime routine to set yourself up for success and let your body know it is time to wind down. By adhering to a regular sleep schedule and creating a calming pre-sleep routine, you can significantly enhance the quality of your sleep. Positive sleep routines might include activities such as dimming bright lights, reading, meditating, or light stretching, which help signal to your body that it's time to wind down.
Furthermore, creating an environment conducive to sleep, such as a dark, quiet, and cool bedroom, can further aid in achieving restful sleep. In today’s world, stopping the habit of “screen time” at least an hour before bed is another great tactic for getting a good nights rest.
Remember, a good sleep regimen is not a luxury, but a necessity for maintaining optimal health and well-being. If you are having trouble sleeping or staying asleep, do some research on why this may be...or seek professional help.
Check out Dr. Tennant's® Sweet Dreams Essential Oil
Read how Dr. Tennant's® Brain Food can help with sleep
Get Your Daily Dose of Electrons
Understanding the body's energy levels can be likened to managing a checking account at a bank, where the balance is influenced by both deposits and withdrawals. In this analogy, our body's "battery packs" are charged by activities that generate electrons, similar to making deposits into a bank account.
Just doing things like spending time in the sun, walking barefoot on grass, leaning against a tree, hugging an animal, or choosing a shower over a bath (as moving water is more energizing), can be helpful.
Conversely, certain factors can deplete our body's electron levels, akin to writing checks against your bank account. These include being in still water (like a bath), exposure to moving air (such as riding in an open convertible), dealing with dental infections, carrying emotional baggage, and encountering various toxins.
Balancing these positive and negative influences is key to maintaining optimal energy levels and overall health...so go hug a tree!
Listen to Dr. Tennant explain.
Your Human Electronic System (Physical Activity)
Did you know that your muscles are battery packs and you need to keep them charged?
Dr. Tennant teaches that another source of electrons is our muscles, which store and supply energy—or voltage—essential for creating new, healthy cells that aid in healing.
When we don't move our muscles enough, it's akin to letting a battery run low; our organs don't receive the necessary power to function optimally, leading to chronic diseases and other health issues. This aligns with the principles of Eastern medicine, specifically the concept of acupuncture meridians. These meridians are like electrical circuits that distribute energy throughout the body, powering our organs and promoting cell regeneration.
You don't need a gym membership to be active and recharge your muscles. Start with daily walks, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or try home workout videos.
Listen to Dr. Tennant explain.
Balance Your Diet
Many of us watch what we eat and try to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. But in today’s world, even making good choices may not be enough. In our blog series, 6 Myths About Supplements, we dive into how our current food supply has been compromised, and even if you are doing everything you can to eat right, you still may not be getting everything your body needs.
Read our blog, "Myth Two: I Can Get All the Nutrients I Need from My Diet" to learn about the food we consume today and why it might be letting your body down.
Of course if you want nutrition insurance, Dr. Tennant's® Restore is a great way to make sure you are getting high-quality vitamins and minerals everyday.
Watch how your body makes new cells.
Practice Stress Management
Stress if left unchecked, can have far-reaching effects on both your physical and mental health. It can contribute to a variety of issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to incorporate relaxation techniques into your daily routine.
Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga not only provide immediate relief from the pressures of the moment, but also have long-term health benefits. These activities help in lowering stress hormones, reducing muscle tension, and improving mood and focus. Even dedicating just a few minutes each day to these practices can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being. By regularly engaging in these relaxation techniques, you can enhance your resilience against stress and promote a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
Learn about stress on your body in our blog: The Real Cost of Stress
Limit Alcohol
Consuming alcohol can have detrimental effects on your body, similar to flooding your system with pure sugar. Alcohol is high in empty calories and its excessive consumption can lead to weight gain, disruption of blood sugar levels, and strain on the liver (which works overtime to process the toxins). This overload can contribute to fatty liver, liver inflammation, and more severe conditions like cirrhosis.
Moreover, alcohol impairs the body's ability to absorb vital nutrients, affecting overall health. It also has a significant impact on the brain, impairing judgment and coordination, and can lead to long-term cognitive issues. Reducing alcohol intake or avoiding it altogether is a key step toward maintaining a healthy, well-functioning body and preventing the numerous health risks associated with its consumption.
Outside of a serious alcohol addiction (for which we suggest you seek professional help), one way to help reduce the consumption of alcohol is to find healthy alternatives or hobbies. Instead of coming home from work and pouring that drink, replace the habit with healthier activities that you enjoy. This could be exercise, a new hobby, or engaging in social activities that don’t involve alcohol. Filling the time you would have spent drinking with fulfilling and enjoyable activities, can help reduce the urge to drink.
Read more about the hidden dangers of sugar in our blog: Is Sugar Evil?
Regular Health Check-Ups
Don’t skip your regular health check-ups. Early detection of any health issues can be key in effectively managing and treating them. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Tennant's Institute for Integrative Medicine you can find them at www.tennantinstitute.com.
To Sum It Up
Remember, the journey to better health is a marathon, not a sprint. Start incorporating these habits into your daily routine and you’ll soon notice a positive shift in your health and well-being. It's all about making small changes that can lead to big results over time. Your health is your wealth, so invest in it wisely starting today! 🌟🍏💪
