Living a healthier life is actually easier than you may imagine. Here are 10 ways that you can live a healthier life right now:
1. Natural Deodorant
Antiperspirant is TERRIBLE for your body. Do yourself a favor and chuck that crap out right now, and go get yourself some natural deodorant. I like Tom’s deodorant’s and in a pinch, I just squeeze a bit of lime juice into my armpits and I’m good to go (try it – it seriously works!)
2. Natural Toothpaste
Fluoride also not so great for you. Your teeth will thank you if you stop buying conventional Colgate toothpaste and pick up a brand that is fluoride free, and has significantly less other ingredients in it.
3. Wash Your Hair Less & Use Less Products
This is especially for my lady friends. I used to wash my hair every single day, and but that’s actually not great for your hair. Washing your hair everyday actually prevents the natural oils of your hair from doing their thing. It takes a couple of weeks to oil train your hair as you ween yourself off a daily wash, but once you get there you’ll be good to go. On top of that, cut down on the product you put in your hair. Hair products are basically bottles of toxicity. I only wash my hair twice a week, I don’t put any product in it and I can go way longer between hair cuts because my hair isn’t damaged.
4. Stop Eating Corn Syrup
Anything with corn syrup in it shouldn’t enter your mouth and be in your body. End of discussion.
5. Stop Drinking Pop
It’s alarming to me how many people drink pop non-stop. Pop is sugar and empty calories (ie. it will make you fat), it is terrible for your blood sugar levels, and overtime, it will rot your teeth and your stomach.
6. Drink More Water
This is a given. The solution to almost any minor ailment can be remedied by water. Headache? Drink water. Tired? Drink water. Constipated? Drink water. Bloated? Drink water. Also, by drinking more water, you will notice that your skin looks and feels better, those dark circles under your eyes will go away, and you’ll feel a lot more energetic.
7. Ditch the toxic cleaning products
Have you ever looked at the ingredients in a typical bottle of home cleaning products? They are filled with chemicals that we spray all over our houses that can have an impact on our bodies in a negative way. Cleaning products are related to a ton of endocrine problems and diseases in the body, and it’s best if you can decrease the products you use or switch to natural cleaning products.
8. Decrease Stress Levels
Stress has been linked as the cause to a ton of different major diseases. You can decrease your daily stress levels by spending time each day doing something you like that isn’t work (ie. self-care time). This can be stretching or working out, having coffee with a friend, taking an epsom salt bath or curling up with a good book.
9. Start a Daily Journaling Practice
My daily journaling practice is what keeps me sane in the business of life. It helps me get clear on what’s happening in my mind and in my life and gain perspective on my reactions to certain situations. I kind of think of journaling like flossing – it helps you reach that gunk thats really wedged down in there and get it out!
10. Do Yoga
Yoga is amazing. If you already do it, do more of it. If you don’t do it, you should try it.
11. Consume Less Caffeine
Caffeine affects everyone differently. Some people feel the effects of caffeine quite dramatically, while others don’t really feel it at all; therefore, consuming less caffeine will look different for everyone. For me, it was cutting out coffee and sticking to matcha and green tea in the mornings. If I consume caffeine in the evening though, my sleep is effected. Try drinking more water and less caffeinated drinks!
12. Sleep More
I really think that everyone needs a different amount of sleep, and following the 8 hour a night formula may or may not work for you. I think we can all relate to that feeling of waking up totally exhausted and dealing with brain fog all day. That feeling means you’re not sleeping enough and your body and brain pay for it in other ways (weight gain, stress, productivity levels). Listen to your body and sleep when you’re tired, and make sure you give yourself time to get enough sleep each night so that you can wake up feeling rested and restored.
13. Read Before Bed
Reading before bed is a regular part of my routine, but I find that I still get sucked into social media and emails late at night. This affects my sleep though, and it’s a practice that I am trying to change. Reading before bed is a great way to wind down and relax before diving into sleep, and it’s so much better for your mental space than diving into your phone.
14. Eat Less Meat & Dairy
If you’re going to eat meat, buy good meat. Factory farmed meat is packed with additives, hormones, and other crap that we shouldn’t put in our bodies. If you can’t afford good meat, I would cut down on your meat intake substantially. Same with dairy. Our bodies aren’t designed to consume dairy (that’s why most of us are lactose intolerant), and your body will thank you for consuming less of it. You will also notice that you will be less stuffed up and your skin will look better from eating less dairy.
How do you live a healthier life? Comment below!