Healthy solutions to Make Instead of Dieting

If your sole aim is to lose weight at all costs, well, then break out your wallet. But if your goal is truly a better – and healthier – version of you, pick another solution.

8 solution for a healthier you.

    1. Eat a healthy diet. Yeah, yeah, we hear you now, “But you just said I didn’t have to diet!” There is a difference between eating healthfully and the deprivation that most fad diets demand. You know what foods are healthy and which should be eaten in moderation – just be mindful about what you put in your mouth.

people in gym

  1. Move more. If you like going to the gym, go to the gym. But if that’s not your cup of tea, find another way to be more active in 2020 – whether that’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator, gardening, walking, riding a bike, or boogying while you mop.
  2. Sleep more. If you get less than seven hours of a sleep at night, you are pretty typical – about 35% of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep. Adequate sleep is vital to your daytime performance and your health. 1 So power down the electronics, turn off the TV, and turn in a little earlier.
  3. Stop smoking. Did you know that after just 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate goes back to normal? Within 24 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood also falls back into place, and in just a few weeks, you will start to lower your odds of having a heart attack.2
  4. Create bonds. Friendships are good for your health, increasing your sense of belonging and reducing stress, among other benefits.3 And who else is going to laugh at all your bad jokes?
  5. Learn to budget. Money can’t buy you happiness but stressing over it can raise your blood pressure! Migraines, digestive issues and heart disease can all be tied to stress. Financial wellness leaves you not only less stressed but in a better position financially to deal with future setbacks, including unexpected illness.4
  6. Stress less. Easy to say, we know. Stress can lead to headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, sleep issues and more. Actively manage your stress by practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga or getting regular physical activity.
  7. Give back. Want to be healthier and happier in 2020? Volunteer. In addition to the good feeling you will get from giving back, volunteering gives you an opportunity to make new friends and stay active and involved. Did you know that older volunteers tend to walk more, are able to conduct everyday tasks easier and are less likely to develop high blood pressure?5 Volunteering is win-win!
  8. Cook more. Most of us eat too much processed foods – always on the go, we grab whatever is handy and go. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains reduces your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancer.6 If you are truly trying to be healthier in the new year, eating whole foods in their natural state is a good place to get started.
  9. Be grateful. Gratitude has a surprising effect on your physical well-being. From greater self-esteem and sleeping better to reducing aggression and frustration, practicing gratitude makes you psychologically and physically stronger.7

 

We’re here to help

Your Pill Box pharmacist is here to help. Whatever your healthcare needs to be a happier and healthier you in 2020, we are here for you!

Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.

Sources

  1. CNBC: Study: Jobs where people tend to be the most sleep deprived and the least https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/28/study-sleep-deprivation-varies-by-occupation-impacts-productivity.html Last accessed: November 12, 2019
  2. WebMD: 13 Best Quit-Smoking Tips Ever https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/ss/slideshow-13-best-quit-smoking-tips-ever Last accessed: November 12, 2019
  3. Mayo Clinic: Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860 Last accessed November 12, 2019
  4. Deepak Chopra: Your bad money habits could be hurting your health https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/08/deepak-chopra-says-your-bad-money-habits-could-be-hurting-your-health.html Last accessed: November 12, 2019
  5. Help Guide: Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm Last accessed: November 12, 2019
  6. WebMD: The Benefits of Whole Foods https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-healthy-whole-foods#1 Last accessed: November 12, 2019

Psychology Today: 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-gratitude