Sometimes, it seems like living a healthy life has become way too complicated. Health “experts” bombard us with information all day, every day. They urge us to try the newest diet, the best exercise program, the most powerful supplements. Eventually, it just seems overwhelming. I’m a health information “junkie,” but sometimes even I give up trying to figure out which pieces of health advice I should follow and which ones I should ignore. Because too often, the advice on how to live healthier is just too hard to follow (This post contains Amazon affiliate links.)
But it really doesn’t have to be that way. Sometimes, simple is good. And when we’re already living stressful, complicated lives, sometimes simple health advice is the best advice. So if you want to feel better, look better and simply live healthier without feeling overwhelmed, here are 6 simple things you can do every day:
- Stand more. Have you heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking?” New research has shown that sitting too much is bad for our health, and that most of us spend way too much time sitting. So stand more. If you spend hours at a desk each day, make or buy a standing desk and alternate sitting and standing. (This is the one I use at work, which is pricey, but Tiffany at Eat at Home Cooks made this great standing desk for $17.) If you sit to do kitchen or household tasks, stand up instead. Stand at the back of the room at meetings or events. Be conscious of the time you spend sitting, and replace it with standing whenever possible.
- Walk more. You know how important exercise is for your physical and mental health, but many women find it difficult to exercise regularly. Fortunately, walking is great exercise – so make it a point to walk more each day. Walk while your kids are at soccer practice or piano lessons. Walk while visiting with a friend. Walk with a co-worker when you need to talk about a project. Walk with your husband after dinner to catch up on your days. Use a simple step counter or a fitness tracker (this is the one I use) and work up to about 10,000 steps per day. Your body was designed to move, so do it a favor and get up and walk throughout the day, every day.
- Sleep more. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Unfortunately, many women get far less. But sleep makes a tremendous difference in your health. It reduces your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, helps reduce anxiety and depression, promotes healthy skin, and boosts libido. Not to mention makes you feel like a new woman! So make it a priority to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. That might mean letting go of some things you do or reigning in your family’s schedule and activities. Or it might mean shutting off electronic devices earlier in the evening and taking some time to relax and unwind. Whatever it takes, decide that you and your health are worth a good night’s sleep, then make it happen.
- Drink more water. Water helps all of your body’s systems and processes function more efficiently. It also helps you feel less fatigued and more energized. But water advice tends to be complicated, so how do you know how much to drink? In general, the standard recommendation to drink 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses a day is a good place to start, because most people don’t drink nearly that much. (When you’re drinking enough water, your urine will be pale yellow.) So find a water bottle or glass you like, fill it several times a day, and drink up. If you don’t like plain water, make fruit waters. And take water with you everywhere you go, so aren’t tempted to grab a soda when you get thirsty.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. When it comes to health information, food advice is the “queen of complicated!” Sometimes it seems like the more you read about what to eat, the less you know about what to eat! It’s enough to make you want to give up and grab a Twinkie. But don’t do it. Instead, follow the one piece of food advice that almost everyone agrees on – fruits and vegetables benefit every aspect of your health, and almost everyone needs to eat more fruits and vegetables. And a simple way to do that is to eat two fruits or vegetables at every meal. Make a meal plan and grocery list for each week that includes two fruits and vegetables per meal, and take some time on the weekend to wash and prep them so they’re ready to grab and go or grab and cook on busy days.
- Make love more. Sex with your spouse can reduce stress – which is great for your health! It can also add some fun and laughter to your life and, in the long run, can strengthen your marriage and “smooth over” some of the rough spots of day-today life. So make space in your life for making love with your spouse regularly.
What are your favorite simple ways to look and feel better and make your life a little bit healthier? Please share them in the Comments – I would love to hear from you.
Tracy at Working Mom's Balance says
I love the tip to eat two fruits and veggies for each meal. I’ve been aiming for 6 servings a day lately and really struggling to get them all in. Breaking it down to two per meal seems much more doable. Same goal, but for some reason I’ve never thought of it that way.
GC says
Hi Tracy – Yes, for some reason it just seems a little bit easier to me to think about it that way. (Although I admit that I still struggle some days to do it!). Hope it is helpful to you.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Gaye
Seeking Joyful Simplicity says
Great reminder. We need to keep hearing this as we get caught up in the hectic pace of our daily lives. And I think more healthy living advice should include “make love”.
GC says
Thank you, Michelle. And I agree with you that #6 doesn’t get enough attention!
Gaye
Marla says
HI Gaye,
You have some very good tips on how to live healthier. I especially like sleep more – too many of us don’t get enough or sleep and its affects everything we do and how our body functions. Shared.
GC says
Thanks so much, Marla. I agree that we really tend to underestimate the importance of getting enough sleep.
Gaye
Eleanor says
Very encouraging post. I have trouble getting enough sleep with a toddler who doesn’t sleep through out the night. I will need to find ways to compensate the lack of sleep.
GC says
Hi Eleanor – Yes, it is often very hard to get enough sleep when you have a baby or toddler. And of course it’s tempting to try to “get something done” when the baby or toddler does sleep! I hope you’ll be able to find a way to get enough sleep for yourself, even if it means that some things don’t get done.
Gaye
Mischelle Sandowich says
Love this advice — especially #6.
GC says
Thanks Mischelle – Me too!
Gaye
Karen says
Great tips, Gaye. It just proves that we need to be reminded over and over of things sometimes! 🙂 I’ve been coaching myself for a while now about getting more sleep, and drinking enough water, and eating plenty of fresh fruits and veggies…
Thank you for linking up with us at Wake Up Wednesday!
GC says
Thanks Karen. I do need to be reminded over and over – that’s most of the reason I write these posts! Right now I am forcing myself to drink more water, because I haven’t had enough today.
Have a great weekend.
Gaye
Audrey @ Gluten-Free Vegan Love says
Great advice, Gaye. I especially like the first point. Love the standing desk idea!
GC says
Thanks so much, Audrey. I love that desk idea too.
Gaye
jugglingrealfoodandreallife says
Great advice as always Gaye. I spend most of my day sitting at work. I really need to get up and move more. 2 fruits and/or vegetables at every meal can really change your life. So many nutrients and less junk going in will really make you feel better.
GC says
Christina, you need to talk your boss into a standing/sitting desk! lol
Gaye
Sharon from herorganizedchaos.com says
Simple things to help live healthier. I love it. Thanks for sharing and I am going to keep this as a reminder.
GC says
Thanks so much, Sharon!
Gaye
Miki English says
The biggest challenges I’m working on right now are standing more and drinking more water. It’s amazing to me how difficult it is to incorporate these two simple things! Cute idea for a standing desk. Right now, when I want to stand, I move my itty-bitty laptop to the buffet in the dining room.
GC says
Hi Miki – Yes, drinking enough water is a constant challenge for me. And I’ve done the “move the laptop to the buffet” thing too!
Gaye
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser says
If one dog is good…26 are better. I guarantee you won’t get much sitting time.
Even better, it lends perspective. All of ours came from places of fear and pain, and to see their joy at the simple, safe life they have makes me appreciate what I have.
It also reinforces life’s purpose being wrapped in responsibility. Looking outward, we can see more of the road, and look to it in positive anticipation.
The other health tip is moderation. If you want a beer, have one. If you want to skip an exercise day, do it. When lifestyle becomes an end in itself, the benefits of a healthy one start to diminish.
GC says
Hi Andrew – 26 dogs? Wow, you’re right, not much sitting time for you!
I agree that moderation is important. It’s easy to go to extremes in any direction if we aren’t careful.
Gaye
dishofdailylife says
I really do need a standing desk. I try to remember to walk around during the day but I forget. Great tips!
GC says
Thanks Michelle. I have one at work, and it is great.
Gaye
Lori Byerly says
6. Have sex more. (It really is good for you … and your marriage.)
GC says
You are totally right, Lori! I should have included this. You’re the second person to point this out to me, so I’m going to go back and add it.
Gaye
Carrie Groneman says
LOVE your post! You have motivated me yet again to do better. Thank you Gaye. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
GC says
Thank you, Carrie.
Gaye
cteague3 says
Great & Simple list. I would add two things to this list:
1. Have sex with ur spouse regularly, few times per week. Builds intimacy & trust in the relationship, releases pent up energy, and is good cardio for both of you.
2. Get a pet to take care of, like a little dog, and allow that pet to love on you and add all kinds of affection to ur life.
GC says
Yes, I really agree with you on both of these additions. I should have thought to include sex, but a pet is a great idea too.
Thanks so much.
Gaye