Did you know that outside influences, like where you live, how much exercise you get, and what you eat have as much, if not more, of an effect on your health as internal factors like genetics? There are countless ways to take care of your body and understanding these exterior influencers is key to living a healthy and happy life.
Let’s look at some of the most common things you can control on the outside to feel better on the inside.
Your Diet
What you put in your body matters. Your body is like a well-oiled machine and when you feed it well, it functions at its peak. Lean proteins, fruits, veggies, nuts, and healthy snacks will get you through the day, give you more energy, and help you focus during work and free time.
This outside influence has a major effect on your internal functions and the best part is that eating healthy doesn’t even have to be hard. Shop local farmers markets or in the organic section of your grocery store to find everything on your list, and plan your lunches and dinners out ahead of time at the beginning of the week. This will save you both time and calories.
Exercise
It’s no secret that exercise works wonders on your body. Individuals who exercise regularly enjoy better sleep, increased energy levels, a faster metabolism, and a toned figure. Working out doesn’t just change your exterior figure, but it changes how you feel, too. You don’t need to sign up for a fancy gym or boutique classes to get a good sweat in. Just pull up a yoga mat and grab some dumbbells and enjoy a workout at home. There’s no excuse to not get at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your day.
There are even plenty of ways to get more movement in your day without even setting foot in the gym. Try to take the stairs instead of the elevator, park further away from your work’s entrance, or propose standing or walking meetings instead of sitting at your desk all day.
Drugs and Alcohol
As we talked about, what you put in your body is key to feeling great and vices like drugs and alcohol will only bring you down. These substances dehydrate you, make you feel more tired, and have an adverse reaction on your mood, energy levels, and appearance. In addition, using drugs and alcohol can easily put a strain on the relationships you have with your friends and family. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and wants to get their life on track, find the drug addiction solution that’s right for your individual needs.
Sleep
Sleep is one of the most magical things we can do for our bodies and this external influence gives us an all-around healthier look on life. Your body uses a good night’s sleep to regenerate and rejuvenate itself and during the REM, or rapid eye movement, stage we store all of our short and long-term memories, recover our muscles, and relax our thoughts. It’s easy to see why a good night’s sleep has a profound effect on both your internal and external state.
We can’t always control our genetics or hereditary dispositions, but we can control what external factors we expose ourselves to. By eating well, getting enough sleep, staying away from drugs or alcohol and getting regular exercise, we can control how we look, feel, and live.
