When it comes to living a healthier and better life physically, there are several simple intentional acts we can do that'll go on to improve our well-being. It doesn't necessarily have to do with the expensive gym membership or fitness equipment that would make the difference. Indulging in some of these simple acts consistently goes on to not only stabilize our health but also transform the way we feel in our bodies, and below I'll be sharing a few I've come to know that have been having a positive impact on my life, although they're free and easy to do, yet they are powerful.
Listen to your body: This is quite important and often pushed aside by a lot of people, as we tend to ignore our body's whispers via the small signs it shows us. I'm a victim of this myself, because weeks ago I was feeling weak and fatigued constantly, but I decided to ignore it, believing it was nothing. Not until a few days back I broke down completely and almost fainted in the middle of the road. That was when I realized my body had been screaming that I needed a break from all of those activities I was bombarding it with.So my advice in this regard is that when you notice your body is giving you signs, don't ignore it; instead, listen. Be it that what it craves is a rest, water, food, or just a break, please give in so it won't lead to something more ambiguous that you can't contain on your own.
Don't joke with walking: we live in a fast-paced world where everyone wants to do everything fast and get to their destination in time. While doing all of this, we tend to forget to walk, and that's why I'm bringing it to your notice that that simple work can make a difference in your body. Many of us now prefer to take a bus or bike to everywhere we're going, even without a deadline to meet, when some of these places are walkable and you can arrive after about a 20-minute walk or so. So my advice is that we do that often. Since I started being intentional about morning walks, it has helped me lose some weight, improve my mood, and given luxury of time to reflect as I walk. The good thing about walking is that it's free and can be done anywhere. Take a walk today!
Prioritize Sleep—It's Not Laziness: One of the misconceptions I had before was that those who sleep a lot are lazy, and so I stayed up late often, which went on to affect my well-being. Since I opted for a change and slept consistently for about 6-8 hours per night, I've come to realize that it's one of the best gifts I've given my body in recent times, and that's because I began to sleep well and have a stronger immune system, and I don't go to work feeling sluggish and wishing I could disappear. So with that being said, don't underestimate the power of good sleep.
All of the above can go on to improve our health and body physically. You could also include acts such as stretching for at least 5 minutes in a day; this can go on to reduce stiffness in your back, joints, and shoulders, like it does for me. The same goes for drinking water; this one isn't new—we hear it often but do it less, so here I'm saying you should drink water regularly throughout the day, as it'll greatly help with the way your organs function, clear your skin, and support your digestion, among many others, so don't wait till you're thirsty before you sip some water going forward.
Overall, I noticed many of us usually think improving our health tends to require huge sacrifices and money, but in truth, that's not always the case. With some simple steps and habits done consistently, they can go on to make a big difference in our lives, and I'm certain all of the above would do the same in your life as they do for me.
All photos are taken and edited on canva.