Instead of being the standard norm, a healthy life has become the goal for most of us. In fact, it has become a profitable commodity with people willing to pay a lot of money to be fit.
For a long time, health had not been the concern of many people. During that time, what was marketed to us was a full enjoyment of life, encouraging us to explore tastes, sounds, and sights, no matter their effect on us in the long run. At the same time, society was pressuring us to be more to do more. So we labored day in and day out, and partied and went wild whenever we could. Because of the genius of marketing strategists, we bought into lifestyles that were abusive to our bodies.
And now, we have realized that kind of life is not sustainable, and eventually, we have to pay for our crash and burn lifestyle.
Businesses are also catching up with this sentiment. Now, the market is overflowing with health supplements, therapies to make our bodies function better, gadgets that keep track of our vitality. But before we get reinvested in this lifestyle, maybe we should think if it actually requires us to spend too much. Before buying anything, try to change your habits and attitude first.
Take life slowly and calmly.
It’s a common misconception that the busiest people are the most successful. There’s this reasoning that people who have full schedules are in demand. But you could also think that perhaps they don’t know how to manage their time. Smart people would not let their work and commitments rule their lives.
Value sleep. If there’s anything you should splurge on, it’s your bedroom. Your bed will be the most important item that would satisfactorily rejuvenate your energy every day. But even so, there are excellent mattresses on sale, and these shouldn’t dent your finances too much. Keep your bedroom free from clutter or distractions. Bedrooms nowadays often have TV sets and full entertainment systems. Your bedroom should be for resting. Allocate a separate entertainment room instead.
Have a relaxed morning. Our morning sets the mood for our entire day. Try to get up early, when the rest are still sleeping if you live with your family. It would be a good rule of thumb to wake up three hours before your first schedule for the day so that you don’t need to rush anything.
At work, you might be tempted to multitask. A lot of people are adept with this, but this method of working, in the long run, will make you lose your ability to focus. People who are used to multitasking need to jump from one task to another. It’s the adrenaline rush of doing things in short bursts that keeps them going. If you’re handling different projects, allot a specific time for each task.
Don’t overstock your food.
If you need to store your food for a longer time, you tend to buy food products that have more preservatives and thus have longer shelf lives. Fresh food is worth the hassle of going to the market now and then. If you have the time and space, try to grow your own vegetable garden. Container gardening in urban centers is now popular; people prefer to know and control their food.
You can also preserve your own food with natural techniques. Smoking or salting meat, for example, will extend its life, and you don’t need to use chemicals. The expensive Prosciutto di Parma is a good example of an all-natural preserved meat. Honey and vinegar are two other ingredients used for preserving fruits and vegetables.
Give your body proper nutrition.
Focus on nurturing your body so that you don’t have to worry about medicines. People are raving about traditional ways of healing. But if you could avoid getting sick in the first place, you wouldn’t have to worry about finding safe and natural cures.
Don’t rely on vitamins and supplements. Rather, look at your diet. Eat the right foods your body needs. Don’t follow fad diets. We all have different activities, so our bodies need different kinds of sustenance. Consult a nutritionist if you’re not sure what food groups are suitable for your work.
Living a good life doesn’t mean you need to indulge in all sorts of sensory activities. It means you know how to balance everything you do so that you don’t exhaust or destroy your body. It’s ok to party, have fun once in a while. Live life to the fullest not through over-indulgence but by knowing how to savor experiences in moderation.