Healthy Habits To Help You be Your Best Self

Having trouble sticking to a diet or following a workout plan? Healthy living doesn’t always mean that you have to make drastic changes to your lifestyle. Start off by incorporating manageable habits that you could easily do every day. Here are some ways to kickstart your journey!

1. Break a sweat whenever possible

Do you know? Just 12 minutes of walking can improve overall mood, increase energy levels, concentration and even boost self-confidence. ¹

By keeping your body moving, you can improve blood circulation and feel more awake during the day. If you often find yourself sitting down when you work, try to stand up from time to time. It lowers the risk of weight gain and could even help ease chronic back pain. You can also take a few minutes off your day and start from simple exercises like sit-ups or planks. Building up from that you can slowly work towards the recommended 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times a week coupled with two days of strength training to improve both stamina and strength. ²

2. Get sufficient rest

Do you know? Studies have shown that habitual late-night owls may face higher mortality rates. ³

Understanding your current sleeping pattern and sleeping habits is key to getting the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep each day. ⁴ Some questions you should ask yourself are: How often do you get restful sleep? How much do you depend on caffeine to keep yourself awake? Considering your body before making changes can help you develop a better plan to cater to your needs. Below are some helpful tips that you could make use of to develop healthier sleeping habits.

• Stick to a sleep schedule even on the weekends or the holidays
• Exercise daily
• Ensure that your bedroom has a comfortable temperature
• Avoid using electronics before bed
• Take supplements such as LAC Goodnight (ZzZZ Formula) to help soothe and calm the body

3. Go offline

Do you know? The more time you spend on a social media site, the more you are likely to develop depression. ⁵

Often find yourself glued to your phone all the time, comparing your life to what you see on the screen? Break this unhealthy cycle by taking some time off to reconnect with your life instead. It is important to understand that the content posted on social media in today’s day and age only features person’s highlight reel. Getting over your fear of missing out can boost your overall mood, stop obsessing over the past and gain a lot of valuable free time to better yourself. ⁶

4. Drink plenty of water

Do you know? Drinking water lubricates the joints, long-term dehydration can cause joint pain.⁷

It is no coincidence that adult humans are about 60% water and our blood is 90% water. ⁸ There is no doubt that you need to keep replenishing the water that we lose throughout the day. From keeping your skin healthy to flushing body waste, drinking water has endless benefits. Always carry a water bottle with you whenever possible and try to switch up soda or sugary drinks with plain water instead.

5. Keep your mind active

Do you know? Information is sent to your brain via neurons at more than 241km/hr.⁹

Your mental health is as important as your physical but is often overlooked. By keeping your brain active and working can reduce risk of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. ¹⁰ Improve your concentration and memory by playing puzzle games like crosswords or Sudoku, and keep your mind active by getting involved in new activities that require you to learn new skills and information. Supplements like LAC BrainSpeed® can also help to improve mental alertness, concentration and memory.

6. Cut back on sweetened beverages as much as possible

Do you know? Brown sugar milk tea with pearls contain more than 2x of sugar compared to soda. ¹¹

With the rise in new food combinations and trends, keeping track of your daily sugar intake could be easily overlooked. While giving in to your sugar cravings once in a while is fine, it is no secret that excessive intake contributes to weight gain and increased risk of diabetes. If you find yourself craving for sweetened beverages such as bubble tea, try to opt for 0% - 30% sugar option instead. Drinking more water, exercising, getting restful sleep or even taking glucose management supplements, such as LAC Bitter Melon Formula, can also help curb the sugar cravings.

7. Head outdoors

Do you know? People who live closer to nature tend to feel calmer, experience less anxiety-related disorders and have a reduced risk of suffering from depression. ¹²

Getting connected to nature can boost immune functions and increase your energy levels. Take a break from urban life and spend more time with nature. Studies have shown that even a window view of natural scenery can reduce stress and boost your mood. Visit your neighborhood parks or canals for a refreshing and restorative break!13 While you are at it, don’t forget to shield up against the harmful UV rays with LAC Taut® Sunshield.