We all know how important a healthy, balanced diet is to ensure good health for years to come. But while a healthy diet may be the top indicator of good health, it often isn’t enough. Even after you fix your diet and focus on good foods like whole grains, lean meats, and an assortment of fruits and vegetables, there’s more you can do to truly optimize your health and wellness.
From using a bike desk chair at work to pursuing more wellness options like physical therapy or chiropractic care, there are many ways to improve your health in addition to a healthy diet. Here, we’re taking a closer look at some practical ways to help you both feel and look better while enjoying that balanced diet.
5 Ways to Improve Your Health and Wellness
Okay, so you’ve finally managed to find (and stick to) a healthy diet. You’re eating a nice mix of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean meats, and even adding in nuts and legumes to balance out your meals. But while there are countless benefits to a healthy diet, sometimes this just isn’t enough to boost both our physical and mental health. Yes, a healthy diet should be the foundation for attaining a healthier, happier lifestyle, but view this more as a starting point and not an ending point.
Looking for additional ways to improve your health this year? Just take a look at some wellness strategies in addition to your great diet:
- Regular exercise: Experts may cite a healthy diet as the most important factor for good health, but if they do, then regular exercise and movement will come in as a close second. It’s recommended to try to get at least thirty minutes of moderate exercise each day to help boost your health. Of course, this regular exercise doesn’t mean you need to go join a gym and bulk up. There are many ways to get consistent exercise that can suit your preferences and lifestyle. Consider jogging, walking, swimming, or even joining a yoga or cycling class with friends. With exercise, what’s most important is to find a routine that works for you and to stay consistent.
- Chiropractic care: For those in the Mile High City, visiting a chiropractor in Denver, CO can also be a great way to improve your health and wellness. While most of us associate seeing a chiropractor when you’re recovering from an injury or dealing with back pain, these specialists can also help you stay in top shape when you visit one regularly. Receiving regular chiropractic care can boost your nervous system health, improve flexibility and posture, and even reduce your risk of future injuries. On top of that, chiropractic adjustments simply feel good for many patients and can help you relax and reduce anxiety.
- Drink water: Okay, this one might fit into the diet category, but it’s so important that it warrants a bit more attention here. As part of your healthy diet, drinking enough water each day is one of the most important factors. Since your body is roughly 60 percent water, it should come as no surprise how important this is. Water helps lubricate your joints, regulate your body temperature, allow cells to grow and thrive, and so much more. It’s recommended that adults get about 15 cups a day for men and about 11 cups each day for women.
- Office wellness equipment: It’s no secret that the majority of us spend a lot of time working in an office. Whether at home or in a traditional office, this eats up a lot of your day and can make finding time to exercise seem difficult. But luckily, there’s a solution to this. Now, many unique pieces of office wellness equipment can help you burn calories at work while staying productive. Devices like a bike desk chair, treadmill desk, or even something as simple as a standing desk can all help you get the exercise you need while getting work done. Studies show that these devices can also help you stay focused, improve your mood, and reduce stress—which, let’s face it, we could all use some of this at work.
- Get a good night’s sleep: While this one might seem easy to some, countless individuals aren’t getting enough quality sleep. Poor sleep can affect practically every aspect of your health, including your mood and mental health, and can increase your risk of certain illnesses and some cardiovascular diseases. While the amount of sleep you need will vary from person to person, most of us should aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep to allow our body the time it needs to recharge, repair, and get ready to face the day ahead.
Conclusion – You Fixed Your Diet, Now What?
A healthy and balanced diet should serve as the foundation for any wellness journey. Studies show that no amount of exercise or other fitness strategies will do you much good unless you also give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs while trying to cut back on added sugars and overly-processed foods. But on the flip side, you should also do more in addition to your healthy diet to achieve optimal wellness.
When mapping out your game plan for better health, start with a healthy diet and then keep going. Be sure to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, drink enough water, and consider utilizing office wellness products while getting your work done. Additionally, visiting a local chiropractor is a good idea even if you aren’t dealing with chronic pain or recovering from an injury. In fact, receiving regular chiropractic care can have a range of health benefits, including improving your posture, increasing your range of motion and flexibility, and helping you reduce the risk of future injury. At the end of the day, nothing is more important than your health. Protect it with these tips and a healthy diet to ensure good health for years to come.