Health trends can be a poor indicator of what you should give your time and attention to for better health. What makes the news one year might not the next. So instead of trying to follow trends, consider these no-brainer steps to improving your future health for years to come.
- Get your zzzs in, no exceptions.
Perhaps you claim that you can get by with little sleep? For most, this is self-denial. Allowing late-night TV binging to eat into your sleep time will take a toll on you. The dangers of not sleeping enough can affect your immune system, your mental health, and your memory. Not only that, but recent research has shown that missing a few hours of sleep can double your risk of a car crash.
For better health, sleep is a necessity. And if you are trying to lose weight, consider that lack of sleep could spike hunger cravings and binge eating. Plus, a University of Chicago study found that dieters who clocked in a good night of sleep lost more fat than those who were sleep deprived.
Adults need a minimum of 7 to 8 hours. If it takes you time to fall asleep, then consider winding down much earlier to ensure you get your hours in. Other tricks to help you fall asleep faster include avoiding caffeinated beverages. As well as alcohol and cigarettes.
Do not watch the clock. That will lead to frustration. Instead, establish a soothing bedtime ritual that will help you wind down from your day.
- Eat more plants. Eat them like a herbivore.
Is the list of foods you should avoid eating getting too long to remember? Want a simple way to remember what is okay to eat? If it is a vegetable, eat away! Vegetables are your friend. You can eat almost any vegetable without fearing adverse side effects. Unfortunately, we don’t do that enough. A surprising statistic tells us that only 1 out of every 10 Americans eats their daily quota of fruits and veg. Alarming, right?
But eating our greens does not need to be difficult. Dedicate one meal of your day, say lunch, to eating your vegetables. Plants have protein, too. So put aside your protein protestations. Besides, dinner will be in a couple of hours, and you can eat meat then.
For those who want some ideas of how fantastic veggie based dishes can be, try a cauliflower steak, a veggie lasagna, or a Vietnamese fresh spring roll. If a plain salad is too difficult for you to chow down on, you can sprinkle seeds and nuts on your salad to add crunch and flavor.
- Get covered. And know your coverage.
Surprised that this made the list? Health insurance coverage is one of the most important aspects of protecting your health, not only for right now, but also for your future self. Are you avoiding doctor appointments or wellness programs because you are not sure if you are covered for it? If so, your insurance policy could be doing more harm than good. Study up on what your policy covers. If you are not covered for something you know you need, or will need in the future, consider changing plans. Already have an expensive policy? It will do you no good unless you are making it work for you.
Health insurance policies can be difficult to comprehend. So look for services that provide free counseling applicable to your current status. For example, https://www.medicarehealthplans.com/ provides licensed agents to help you understand your options.
Trends come and go. But the essentials of caring for your health don’t budge that much. Clock in sufficient sleep time. Eat your vegetables. Don’t miss your doctor’s appointments because you are worried about the cost. You can’t buy good health, but you can invest in it by focusing on the right things.
