Let's Talk About Getting Healthy

Most people will go to some pretty drastic lengths to avoid getting sick, or to recover from sickness. Less often do we talk about becoming or remaining healthy though. And let's face it, most of us know about some simple things we should do, but for some reason or another we just don't really make them a priority. Maybe we think we're too busy, maybe we just forget, maybe they seem too simple, too easy so we overlook them. I want to go over some very basic disciplines that all of us likely know, for the sake of a reminder. I'm not going to get particularly deep or comprehensive, nor will I be promoting any bank-breaking products. Everything will be simple, cheap, and easy to apply immediately, I promise.

1. Drink sufficient water

See? Nothing crazy about that. I always knew I probably didn't keep myself quite as hydrated as I probably should, and like many modern people, I described myself as a coffee drinker. Not without reason, either. I now track my water intake daily and have done so for some time. It has been fascinating to see what variations in my life make it easier or harder to reach my goal each day. I've found this habit so beneficial (and interesting) that I have no plans to stop tracking anytime in the foreseeable future. I use my spiralbound diary, but I think there are apps for this as well.

2. Exercise

By all means, get a gym membership or kit yourself out with a full home gym if you feel like it. But if you're trying to get financially healthy at the same time and those just doesn't fit the budget then don't give up. There's no reason exercising needs to be either difficult or expensive. Get your shoes on (or don't, I once spent an hour and a half walking a major city barefoot after my jandels broke, not that I recommend the experience!) and walk: around your neighbourhood, a park, gardens . . . just somewhere! Or run, if that's more your style. Dust off that old bike in the back of the shed and take it for a ride. 

There are also a number of apps that can help you workout from the comfort of your own home, without any special equipment, and all for free. Do a varation of things if you like. Whatever you choose, make it achievable and do it regularly. Exercising for 10 minutes every day and then 60 on the one you really get into it is better than saying you'll do 60 every day but only getting started on the day you feel like it and running out of steam after 30 minutes. Pick something, and make a start. 

3. Eat fresh foods

I remember "5+ADay" being popularised while I was at Playcentre and just recently I've seen it pop up a few places again. Some of the same posters even, if I recall correctly. Has anyone else noticed the same thing? Did it actually disappear for a couple of decades and make a comeback just recently? Regardless, fresh fruit and vegetables are important and relatively easy to incorporate into our lives. Have a salad with that steak. Eat the fruit from your orange tree; it won't do your body any good rotting on the ground. 

Growing up in our house grapefruit was carefully rationed whenever we were gifted a few; we probably could've used it as currency. Half for you, half for me, and quick! Eat it before someone else comes and wants some too! This year we discovered someone on our street has a tree and doesn't even like the fruit, so now it arrives here by the bucket. Between that and our other trees, I could probably go on an exclusively citrus diet if I wanted to right now! 

Maybe there's someone in your neighbourhood who would gladly allow you to enjoy the fruit from their trees, rather than having it rotting and smelly on their lawn. There are also a number of options for having a variety of fruit and vegetables delivered right to your door. Although we don't usually do that, I have occasionally enjoyed the novelty of receiving things different from our usual shopping list.

4. Sleep

Go to bed early, stay off your phone, no coffee before bed, avoid alarms whenever possible. At least eight hours, but don't cut your sleep cycle short. You probably know the drill. Most of us want it but few of us prioritise it. I discovered several years ago that there are actually people who call themselves "sleep scientists" for their day job. Fascinating or what? Matthew Walker and I strongly disagree on some other things, but his research on sleep is incredibly interesting and well worth a read. He wrote a book I found really interesting called Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams which you can get hold of by clicking on the title. It confirmed some things I had heard elsewhere, some of my own experiences, and I learned a few new things too.

And that's a wrap for this post. As promised, four simple ways each of us can pursue a healthier life, beginning today and without breaking the bank. I've certainly noticed an improvement in my own life and health by planning them into my schedule. 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. I only link to products I've found helpful in my own life and think you will too.