Top 10 Simple Ways To Stay Healthy and Happy

3 February, 2014

"I believe that if you're healthy, you're capable of doing everything. There's no one else who can give you health but God, and by being healthy I believe that God is listening to me."

Pedro Martinez

10. Eat Less Grains
Eliminate grains in favor of vegetables, fruits, and nuts to stay young, healthy, and prevent disease.
You’ll also have a better body composition and you will probably live longer. If you want to be as healthy as possible, processed and “whole” grains should be removed from your diet.
The problem with whole grains is that they contain minimal fiber, are high glycemic, will rapidly raise blood sugar, contain lots of carbohydrates, a small amount of protein, and most have lots of gluten.
It is true that whole grains that are cooked in their hull are going to provide more health and nutritional benefits than processed grains.
Be aware that even when a cereal, bread, or pasta package says it’s made from whole grains, that doesn’t mean that you are actually going to get to eat the whole grain since once a grain has been turned into flour, it is no longer “whole.”
9. Eat Less Junk

Eat less junk food. Start with deciding to do something like cutting out sugar from your life and you’ll notice some huge changes.
Some studies even argue that beyond simply being “bad” – sugar is actually toxic for you. Not cool.
For more in-depth thoughts on this, consider watching a few minutes of the following talk.
8. Drink Water
Drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
Experts say that water is the drink of the wise man. Water is fundamental to all life on earth.
Our bodies are made up of 60% water. It is involved in every function in the body, including circulation, digestion, absorption of nutrients and the transmission of electrical currents in the body which control our nerves, muscles and hormones.
While we get water in many foods we eat and beverages we drink, pure water is often the best form to ingest.
A recent study surveyed peoples’ various aches and pains, energy levels and sense of well-being.
When they were instructed to drink 8 glasses of water a day and their symptoms were reevaluated, notable improvements were seen in improved energy levels, fewer aches and pains, and generally improved sense of health.
Adequate water is an extremely inexpensive and efficacious health practice.
7. Cook Your Own Food

Get in your kitchen and  start cooking your own food! Don’t fear if you don’t know how to cook – Google is your friend!
Find some great recipes from across the internet and start experimenting!
By simply cooking your own food – you’re going to be eliminating sodium, preservatives and other stuff usually found in store-bought meals.
If you want to take things to the next level – consider growing your own food (even during the winter).
6. Eat A Good Breakfast
Don’t down cereal to start the day. A breakfast filled with carbohydrates will spike your blood sugar and insulin levels and put an immediate hold on any fat-burning your body was engaged with overnight.
Eating a leaner breakfast will make it easier to burn fat and maintain your goal weight.
Lower bodyweight and insulin levels mean lower risks of diabetes and other weight related diseases.
5. Go Outside

Being outdoors has a slew of benefits including increased happiness, higher vitamin D levels, and better concentration.
Even if it’s cold outside – adjusting yourself to the cold can have some long term benefits. So much so that some people even have their children take naps outside.
The ones that do tend to be less sick and stronger over the following years. While you’re outside, talk a walk, go hiking, or have an adventure.
4. Move More
Some studies even show moving as little as 7 minutes of interval training a day can help.
There’s very good evidence that high-intensity interval training provides many of the fitness benefits of prolonged endurance training but in much less time. So get out there and get moving – even if it’s only for 7 minutes.
If you need to write to keep yourself accountable, start a blog and write about it.
The best exercise is the one that has you grabbing your toes and pulling. Experts say that this boosts circulation after your feet have been stuck in shoes for hours.
Without proper circulation, the muscles and nerves in our toes don’t work properly. And that can cause pain in your knees, hips, and back.
3. Laugh

Your grandmother used to say “laughter is the best medicine” and she wasn’t joking.
According to the study, laughing also helps lower blood pressure, increase mood and decrease your stress levels.
Laughing can even help give you a workout. Plus, it’s just fun.
2. Stand Up and Be Happy
Sitting could be killing you – so stand up! Besides helping combat obesity and diseases, standing more can increase your productivity (and even your life span!)
1. Snack better
Start by changing the “snack ratio” in the house. Slowly and gradually have more fruit and healthier snack choices around, rather than the typical, higher-calorie junk food.
For instance, have three types of fruit (apples, oranges, grapes) to replace some of the small bags of chips or candy bars.
Or simply start replacing unhealthy snacks with alternative choices, such as oatmeal bars, granola bars or peanuts and yogurt.