When you're asked to think about your habits, is it your positive or negative traits that spring to mind? Habits don't have to be bad and with a bit of patience and practice you can make changes which could improve your health, happiness and your quality of life. Here are 5 positive habits for you to try.
1 - Sit down less
Although you might not realise it, sitting at a desk and staring at a computer screen can be very bad for your health. Health problems such as colon cancer, heart disease, visual disorders and obesity are all said to be aggravated by sitting down all day. Try taking your work out of the office every now and then, walk around for a short time every hour that you are sat down and try and get some light exercise done on your lunch break.
2 - Get 8 hours of sleep
Despite what you might tell yourself, sleep deprivation takes its toll. A lack of sleep can leave you fatigued and make your day wholly unproductive. One of the best ways to make sure you get plenty of sleep is to take up some light exercise in the afternoon or early evening. Activities such as swimming, jogging or even just reading a book can all help your body to wind down quicker when it comes time to go to sleep. However, if the problem is that you are overworked then you might need to look at how you manage your work / life balance.
3 - Swap caffeine for green tea
Nothing can quite beat a good cup of tea. While coffee can make you feel energized, tea is much more beneficial with suggestions that it works as an antioxidant, fights cancer and heart disease and aids weight loss. While coffee can stain your teeth, green tea is known to fight off nasty bacteria linked to tooth decay.
4 - Cut the carbs
The problem with carbohydrates is that they are digested all too well. This leads to spikes in blood sugar and weight gain. The biggest offenders include spaghetti, bread, pasta and white potatoes. So try and avoid these types of foods or simply replace them with healthier varieties such as whole grain bread or sweet potatoes. Another easy way to cut down on your daily carb in take is to cook food yourself rather than buy from shops or restaurants. This means that you have more control over what is going in your food.
5 - Get your 5 a day
By now you've probably heard about how important it is to eat a minimum of 5 fruit and vegetables a day. There's a reason for that. A high intake of fruit and vegetables can have a significant impact on your health, loading you up with essential vitamins and minerals that your body requires to function. One easy way to pack them in is to get a smoothie maker or juicer and make yourself a healthy shake for breakfast - what better way to start your day?
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