Healthy, fit, successful and beautiful! Are you worth the effort it takes to achieve it? Of course you are! And yes it does take work. It takes work every day. Make it easier on yourself by sticking to the 10 wellness commandments.
1 Believe in the Power of Laughter 😂
Having a good giggle lowers stress levels, inducing a feel-good factor no drugs could ever supply. Studies have shown that adults with a sense of humor live longer than those who don't get the joke. When you're feeling down, slot a comedy into your DVD player, curl up with a funny book or get in touch with the perpetual joker among your family and friends.
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2 Believe in the Power of Regular Exercise
Never mind your weight-loss goals, make exercise a regular feature of your health regime. Exercise releases "happy endorphins" in our brains, which boost our mood; it keeps sickness at bay generally and increases our concentration, as more oxygen reaches the brain and that in turn enhances productivity.
3 Make Time to Breathe and Meditate
Meditation may not allow you to do "that thing gurus do when they levitate" but studies have shown that it will allow you to decrease your insomnia by 42% and loosen you up with just three deep breaths whenever stress threatens to spoil your day. Meditation is also known to reduce gray matter in the amygdala, the part of our body where anxiety and emotions are regulated. Even if you don't sign up to a meditation class, make time to breathe and clear your mind at least once a day!
4 Consume Enough Water 💧
Staying rehydrated energizes our bodies, flushes out toxins and helps our bodies to perform at their best. Drink at least 2 liters of water/liquid a day, restricting coffee, soda and tea consumption to 3 cups per day. If you feel your brain's foggy and tired at work, that's because you haven't had enough water. Our bodies need water for almost all of our bodily processes, so stay healthy and hydrate regularly.
5 Fuel up with Food 🍊
Remember that food is fuel for our bodies. However, stuffing your face with junk food won't do you any good in the long run. Treat your body like a temple and consume only whole, clean and natural food stuffs. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and keep red meat consumption to a minimum. You'll soon discover delicious, easy to prepare recipes that will help you develop a healthy attitude to eating and food in general.
6 Don't Avoid Entire Food Groups
Avoid food fads, diets that tell you to cut out whole food groups and eat only protein, or carbs or drink nothing but cabbage soup. Only a balanced diet will keep your body working at maximum potential.
7 Work with Your Body, Not against It
All those disgustingly healthy people you've met so far have one thing in common: they listen when their body tells them something important. They don't work against their bodies, but with them. Put aside your knife and fork, when you're full; say "no" to colleagues or boss, when you're inundated with work already; take the pain in your legs/back/arms seriously when you're in the gym and stop pushing yourself too hard.
8 Go out and Get Some Fresh Air
Don't be a hermit and stay indoors all the time. Go out for a brisk walk at lunchtime, soak up sunshine, and breathe in fresh air. You'll be amazed how much better you'll be able to perform whatever task lies ahead, including weekend fun and socializing.
9 Get Enough Sleep 💤
Insufficient sleep can raise our blood pressure, cause memory loss and lack of concentration. And there's the whole issue of unsightly bags under your eyes. To stay healthy you'll need a minimum of 7 hours sleep every night.
10 Strive for a 80/20 Balance
Any health regime that requires 100% commitment, 100% of the time will get boring and irritating over time. Follow the 80/20 principle and you'll be able to sustain a healthy lifestyle that has the occasional treat built in. Meaning 80% of the time you're eating clean, healthy food as recommended by your doctor, and 20% of the time you can stuff your face with whatever takes your fancy. Have a cocktail or nibble a bar of chocolate. As long as it's an occasional indulgence, you won't come to any harm.
Your body’s a temple – are you worshipping it properly? What other wellness commandments do you ascribe to?
