Yes, laugh! Laughing is coined as the best medicine, as it has shown to boost the immune system, promote heart health, burn calories, ease pain, support mental health, and improve quality of life. Increase humor and laughter by smiling more, thinking positive thoughts, watching funny videos, taking life less seriously, and just flat out being silly!
Practice Mindful Eating
The practice of mindful and intuitive eating can naturally keep portion sizes balanced and cultivate a healthy relationship with food. Pay close attention to hunger and satiety cues to recognize if the desire to eat is based on boredom, cravings, or real hunger. And when consuming meals, recognize sensations you may experience, including the flavor, smell, and thoughts present during the time.
Eat Colors of the Rainbow
Foods colorful and vibrant in nature are the ones mostly offering the most nutrients. Make it a habit of offering at least two colors to meals and snacks, including trying out various methods of preparation. For instance, roast various squashes, blend spinach in a smoothie, and lightly warm up an apple and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Feel like old friends (or family) have fallen by the wayside? It’s good for your health to reconnect with them. Research suggests people with strong social ties live longer than those who don’t.
In fact, a lack of social bonds can damage your health as much as alcohol abuse and smoking, and even more than obesity and lack of exercise, a 2010 study in the journal PLoS Medicine suggests.
Improve Your Sleep Hygiene.
Sleep hygiene? Yes, it’s an important practice in our increasingly connected world. To get a good night’s sleep, cut screen use (phone, TV, laptop) in bed, limit naps, and establish a relaxing nighttime routine.
Take the stairs
Making small, daily changes such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator may seem minor, but they can make a big difference for your heart in the long run. “Individuals who are physically active are much less likely to develop cardiovascular disease,” explains Johns Hopkins cardiologist Chiadi E. Ndumele, M.D., M.H.S.
Find ways to boost your health, fitness, and well-being, and be an inspiration to others!
According to Johns Hopkins sleep expert Rachel Salas, M.D., when it’s time to sleep, it’s time to chill – literally. Knocking the thermostat down to 68 degrees or lower before you tuck into bed can help you sleep better. Darken your room by drawing the curtains or dimming the display on your alarm clock to really get those quality Zs.
Practice Mindful Eating
These days, it’s common to chow down with your eyes glued to a screen, but eating when you’re distracted leads to overeating. Take time to slow down and pay attention to your food, pausing to put down utensils between bites. “When you eat mindfully, it’s easier to notice when you feel full, plus you’re more likely to enjoy the foods you eat,” says Johns Hopkins dietitian and research nutritionist Diane Vizthum.
Have a Laugh
Read a few pages of a funny book, watch a clip of your favorite comedian, or call a friend who always cracks you up. Laughter obviously lightens your mood, plus it stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles. It makes your brain release more feel-good endorphins. And it can relax your muscles and help your circulation.
