Glowing From The Inside Out – A Guide To being Healthy, Happy & Fit

Everyone wants to feel and look good all day, every day. We want to be at the top of our game, and we want to be healthy and happy while we’re at it. 

Most of us share the secret desire (or perhaps burden) of being super-women who juggle work and personal lives seamlessly and get everything done on our to-do lists on a regular basis while managing to be amicable humans who smell like a bed of roses.

In reality, however, we live in an era where being overworked, over-stressed, and cultivating unhealthy habits have become the norm. In our drive to achieving success and fulfilling our ambitions, we tend to sidestep our own mental and physical health.

Our brains have become wired to be vigilant about deadlines and commitments made to colleagues, friends, and family. Is it of any surprise, then, that most of us feel exhausted and strung-out? We want to look and act our best, but life keeps getting the upper hand.

There is hope at the end of the tunnel, though. If you feel that it is time you focused on your physical and mental wellbeing whilst gliding through the trappings of this modern world, here are three simple tips that you can incorporate into your daily routine for a healthier, happier version of yourself.

Eat the Right Food

Remember the age-old adage ‘You are what you eat’? Well, we now know that the folks of yore had it right. Your skin, mood, and general health all reflect on what you chow down on.

The hormone serotonin, otherwise known as the happy hormone, is mostly made in your digestive system. Not only does serotonin contribute to your well-being and happiness, but it is required for maintaining proper sleep patterns, appetite, social behavior, memory, and even sexual desire. We all understand the importance of sleep and a general sense of contentment. 

We derive high levels of serotonin from a host of food products, such as cheese, eggs, turkey, salmon, soy products, tomatoes, pineapples, nuts and seeds, and even dark chocolate. 

Whether you are a full-blown omnivore, or a vegan, vegetarian, or pescatarian, there are plenty of options for you to derive your physiological source of happiness from.

Make sure you eat balanced meals at regular intervals. Cut down on the bad carbs (including fizzy drinks, pizza, pasta, desserts) and alcohol, and introduce a wide range of proteins, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. When you choose to dine out, find restaurants and eateries that have healthy food on the menu in your area. If you are looking for the best restaurants in Madison, WI, there are numerous healthy options available for the whole family.

Simple carbohydrates like white bread, crisps, and sweet treats give you an instant boost of energy but are also metabolized very fast, making you hungry and craving for more very quickly, so try to avoid processed food and incorporate at least two fruits in your meals every day. 

An easy way to modulate and regain control over your diet is meal prepping, so throughout the week, you eat the food that you pack. Use your weekends to plan and prepare your meals. 

Once you start cooking for yourself and become more mindful of what you’re putting into your system, not only will you be eating healthier, but eventually you will also start saving money by not eating/ordering out often. 

Your body, your mind, your skin, your bank balance — they will all thank you for it.

Exercise

This tip is quite the no-brainer, because who can refute the benefits of working out? Regular exercise is essential for an unending array of physical and mental benefits: improving blood circulation; lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes and reducing blood cholesterol levels; lowering blood pressure; improving muscles, bones, and joints; elevating your mood by releasing endorphins (hormones that reduce your perception of pain); keeping you fit; aiding better sleeping habits… The list goes on and on.

It is understandably difficult to fit an effective workout into a hectic schedule on a daily basis, and it can also be quite mundane to repeat the same routine every day. Try to walk as much as possible. Forgo the cab or bus ride for a stroll to or from work or while running errands. 

Alternate between running, jogging, swimming, aerobics, and/or dancing. Fit them into your daily check-list whenever convenient and do what you enjoy. Maybe you are a fan of the martial arts, or maybe you like rock-climbing or yoga. 

Incorporate your chosen activity into your day-to-day life, and soon you will see that it can also be meditative, allowing you to be more mindful of not just your body but also of your existence. 

Medical research has irrevocably proven the positive effects of exercise on sleep, physical and mental health, and elevating mood. A healthy body undoubtedly promotes higher self-esteem, making you fitter, more efficient, and ever more ready to conquer the world.

Take Care of Yourself, Externally too

Some people swear by the bare minimum, the very basic grooming habits to uphold hygiene and neatness. Others like to spend more time taking care of their appearance and enjoy the process of preening.

It is perfectly okay to be on either end of the spectrum, or even anywhere in between. Though your external appearance and clothes certainly do not define who you are, they can be instrumental in boosting your confidence. 

When your hair and skin are healthy and glowing and your clothes are clean and well-fitting, you will certainly feel happier and readier to tackle the day’s stressors with greater self-reliance.

According to Faveable, it is absolutely not necessary to splurge on expensive products for grooming or on clothes and accessories. You only need to understand your personality and body type to find the best clothes and perfumes to flaunt; and know your skin and hair types to invest in the correct ranges and cosmetics that suit you.

Do your research. Consult your regular hairdresser or beautician for tips on skin and hair care. Grab your friends and family when you go shopping, just to have a second opinion on whether that risqué outfit really does make you stand out (also, because it’s generally more fun than shopping alone). 

The internet offers a plethora of websites dedicated to helping you find what you seek, so there is no excuse for you to not be able to find what works for you.

Keep The Glow Going…

If you wish to foster a healthier, happier lifestyle, it should be your prerogative to make sustainable changes from today. Set small, achievable goals regularly. 

Choose to recognize your unhealthy habits and get rid of them. Acknowledge all the shortcomings that you might have and find solutions and methods to address them instead of being bogged down. 

Remember, that you are only human. Do not be too hard on yourself. Your mind and body can be enhanced by meaningful adjustments made over time. In the long run, you will certainly glow, inside and out.

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