Let’s face it, we can’t all be super-skinny fitness gurus that spend every waking moment in the gym but we can all try to make certain lifestyle changes that will benefit our health in the long run. Each year we vow to completely overhaul our lives by doing this or that, but you don’t have to make such sweeping statements, just incorporate some or all of our simple suggestions. Read on to find out more.
Epsom Salt Bath
After a workout or long day at the office try relaxing by taking a warm or hot Epsom salt (Magnesium sulfate) bath which has been shown to help muscles relax and reduce inflammation in the body. Ideally, soak in the bath for at least 15 to 20 minutes for one or two times per week. Epsom salts will also help increase blood flow, strengthen bones, produce proteins and release energy from muscles.
Treat Yourself
Eating right doesn’t mean that you have to deprive yourself of delicious full flavors and foods. There are many decadent healthy desserts that use nut butters as bases and wholesome ingredients such as chia seeds and almond milk. Try looking online for inspiration. Remember that life is not just about eating vegetables, it is about also allowing yourself a treat once in a while. So, go ahead and have that dessert, just try and make it as healthy as possible. Just don’t throw in the towel and eat a whole gallon of ice cream.
Do a Switcheroo
Replacing greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt is easy to do and very worthwhile. Greek yogurt has twice as much protein and nearly half as many carbohydrates. It is also much creamier than regular yogurt and has a richer-silkier taste which makes it a pleasant experience to eat. You could also replace greek yogurt for mayo in tuna recipes and even eat as a dessert by adding flax seeds, fruit or almonds.
Static Stretching
Post-workout static stretching (flexing forward to a point of tension and holding the stretch) is essential in order to relieve muscular tension. Static stretching also helps slow down your heart rate and aids in recovery since it triggers the parasympathetic nervous system. Stretching improves elasticity and promotes muscle tone. You should spend 5 to 20 minutes stretching the entire body to increase overall flexibility, however, many people just stretch the muscles that they worked on that day.
Strength Training
Strength training is a common type of practice for developing the strength and size of skeletal muscles. Strength training helps boost your metabolism by as much as 15%. By building muscles you are increasing your metabolic rate because the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism runs, which means you’ll burn more calories during the day even if you are at rest. Strength training has many health benefits such as building bone and bone mineral density, improving insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health and decreasing blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
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