Guest Article: 5 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Improve Your Health

You don't need to completely overhaul your lifestyle to improve your health. In fact, trying to make drastic changes all at once is often a recipe for failure. If you want to make significant, long-lasting improvements to your wellness, the best way to start is through a series of small changes that are easy to implement.

1. Start your day with a walk

Exposing yourself to morning sunlight regulates your body's circadian rhythm so you sleep better at night and feel more alert during the day. Head outside for a brief 10-15 minute walk when you wake up, skipping the sunglasses and sunscreen to maximize the benefits. If you plan to be outdoors longer than this, go ahead and take the sunblock with you. While exposure to sunlight is crucial to your health, getting a sunburn is not.

2. Order your groceries online

If you tend to make a lot of unhealthy purchases at the grocery store, stop going. You can order your groceries online instead. Some stores, such as Walmart and Kroger, let you pick up at the store, while other services deliver groceries (or meals) to your door. Either way, you'll find it easier to stick to your nutrition plan and avoid impulse purchases. Another benefit of ordering online is that you can better plan you meal strategy for the week. As an added bonus, you’ll save money and time.

3. Eat more fiber

A high-fiber diet isn't only beneficial to senior citizens. Everyone needs fiber in their diet for proper digestion. Without adequate fiber intake, you could experience constipation and increase your risk of colon cancer. The best sources of fiber are vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and legumes.

4. Floss daily

Everyone knows they ought to floss, but according to Colgate, only four in 10 Americans actually floss every day. Flossing does more than keep your teeth pearly white; it helps prevent oral disease and infection that, in turn, harm your overall health. Periodontal disease, which is triggered by poor oral hygiene, is a known risk factor for stroke and other heart conditions.

5. Think positive thoughts

An optimistic outlook doesn't just make you pleasant to be around. Adopting a positive mindset reduces your stress, lowers your risk of depression and helps you live longer. To encourage your mind to think positively, make a habit of expressing gratitude and recounting the good things that happen each day.

If you've been telling yourself that it's too hard or too expensive to improve your health, hopefully these tips show you that's not true. Not only are these suggestions so simple that anyone could do them, but most of them cost absolutely nothing! Implement these changes one at a time and by the end of the year, you'll notice real changes to your well-being.

Image via Pixabay

Guest Article by: Jennifer McGregor