Staying healthy is easy once you know how. Health is a matter of discipline and commitment. We are expected to be disciplined and committed at work, so why not have the same attitude toward ourselves?
Here are nine easy health-improving habits to include in your daily routine.
- Brush 5 minutes a day with a natural body brush.
Since our skin is the largest organ of detoxification, dry skin brushing, an ancient Ayurvedic habit, encourages the body to cleanse itself. This practice offers many benefits. To name a few, dry skin brushing enhances lymphatic drainage, improves circulation, reduces cellulite, exfoliates the skin, reduces muscle tension, and calms the mind. Use a non-synthetic brush (mine is made of Tampico, a porous fiber from the Mexican agave plant) and brush following the lymph flow in your body: from toe to heel, from ankle to knee, from knee to hip, from hand to elbow, from elbow to shoulder and neck. Move the brush clockwise on your abdomen. Repeat 5 to 10 times on each section. Be gentle. Applying a lot of pressure is not necessary. Dry skin brush every morning before showering and every night before bed as a 5-minute ritual. After brushing my skin, I usually rub jojoba oil all over my body. You will experience silky skin, light legs, relaxation and improvement of cellulite and edemas. You will also get rid of toxins.
- Brush your teeth with tea tree oil.
Instead of using toothpaste, once per day use 3 drops of tea tree oil on your toothbrush. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial properties that help to slow tooth decay, prevent gum inflammation, and freshen breath by killing odor-causing bacteria. Tea tree oil is also a powerful antiseptic, which makes it great for treating gum pain and toothaches. Do not swallow it!
- Drink alkaline water.
Acid wastes from food and beverages are difficult for your body to digest, so they are stored in fat, joints, lumps, tumors, cysts, and cause diseases and weight gain. An easy way to keep your body alkaline (not acidic) is to drink natural alkaline water (PH > 7). Drinking 2-2.5 liters per day will help you rid toxins from your body while keeping you hydrated.
- Drink cold-pressed juice, composed mainly of raw vegetables, first thing in the morning.
Cold-pressed juices are a wonderful way to start your day, to keep your body alkaline, and to get your daily intake of raw vegetables (minerals, chlorophyll, and vitamins). To keep your sugar intake low, use more vegetables than fruit (and non-sugary fruits). I love mixing three carrots, one piece of celery, one piece of ginger, five leaves of lettuce, one grapefruit, and one lime. The result is a mouthwatering, delicious, nutritious, and healthy beverage.
- Surround yourself with beauty.
Going to the spa is not necessary to pamper yourself. My house is my spa. As soon as I wake in the morning or come back home in the afternoon, I switch on my salt lamps (they cleanse the air and create a relaxing ambience), light candles, turn on my favorite music, and put essential oils in my diffusors. Heavenly aroma, calming music, and dim light relax my mind and body and put me in a good mood.
- Remove all electronic devices from your bedroom and turn off Wi-Fi when you go to sleep.
An 8-hour-night sleep is essential for most people’s health. This is how your mind and body recharge their batteries. Sufficient sleep is also essential for creativity! Consider bedtime preparation a ritual. Fall asleep consciously. Don’t just collapse in your bed. Going to sleep is your chance to close the doors on the rest of the world and be with yourself. Remove all electronic devices (yes, cell phone included!) from your room.
- Move your body
A high intensity workout is not necessary to be healthy. Moving your body is more important, which causes energy (chi) circulation. Take a walk, hike, stretch, or do yoga. Move your body every day! Force yourself to be active.
- Have a healthy relationship with media
Your relationship with media should be active. Choose when and how you want to be in touch with the rest of the world. When you watch too much television and listen to the radio for lengthy periods of time, you absorb an excessive amount of negativity and violence. Decide how much time to dedicate to the world’s affairs. Personally, I prefer reading the news because then I can choose what I absorb.
- Smile!
Adopt a smiling attitude. Smile to yourself, smile inside yourself, smile to family, friends, and to everyone you encounter throughout your day. Seek reasons to smile. Health and happiness will be your reward.
Introduce these health-improving tips into your daily routine and reap instant results. Be conscious in and of your actions. Put proper intention into every habit. The results will be transforming.
