6 Easy Ways to Improve Your Diet and Lifestyle

Day-to-day life can take its toll, both on our bodies and our minds. Changing your lifestyle and diet can, however, have a transformative impact on your overall feelings of well being; it’s just sometimes a little difficult to know where to start.

Here we offer 6 easy ways to improve your diet and lifestyle, so that you can begin living life to the fullest.

1. Get rid of unnecessary distractions

If you’re planning on hitting life’s reset button and making some profound changes, getting rid of unnecessary clutter and distractions in your house is a great way to begin. Not only does it clear physical space in your house, but it also puts a few extra dollars in your pocket, which will certainly come in handy when you begin to invest more wisely in looking after yourself.

Consider using a website such as Music Magpie to get rid of some of your unwanted CDs, DVDs and games; removing possible distractions from your physical realm also helps clear out your mental one, freeing you up to pursue more important endeavors.

2. Cancel all those non-essential monthly subscriptions

In addition to accumulating clutter, it’s astounding how many unnecessary monthly subscriptions one can accumulate; we just never seem to make the time to cancel them. Use this opportunity to cancel lapsed gym memberships, magazine subscriptions and entertainment packages. This will save you an alarming amount of money each month, as well as filling you with a sense that you’re finally claiming back your life.  

3. Stop skipping breakfast

It may be a cliché, but breakfast is still the most important meal of the day.Research indicates that those who eat whole grain cereal tend to have slimmer waist lines and weigh less than those that don’t, contributing to a greater overall feeling of wellbeing. 

In addition, a hearty breakfast consisting of whole grain cereal, skimmed milk and fruit contains protein, complex carbohydrates, fibre, calcium and crucial antioxidants - all essential parts of a balanced diet.

4. Eat foods that naturally boost your immune system

Long working weeks and the rigours of everyday life drain us of energy, which in the long term takes its toll on our immune system, making us more prone to illness.

Mushrooms are just one example of a food that can naturally help to boost our immune systems, as they promote the production of cytokines in the body, the cells responsible for helping us to overcome infections. They also contain polysaccharides, a compound which strengthens the immune system.   

5. Take 30 minutes of exercise each day

Research indicates that 30 minutes is the sweet spot when it comes to daily exercise. Thirty minutes of exercise which causes you to sweat profusely could be enough to promote weight loss of up to 8 pounds, over a 3-month period. In addition to the direct weight loss benefits, exercise also releases endorphins into the body, which promotes a feeling of overall wellbeing.

6. Increase your intake of protein and fibre

The main reason we snack is down to the type of food that we consume. Artificially flavored foods switch off the brain’s satiety valve, tricking us into thinking that we are still hungry, even after eating. To discourage overeating, try to consume more organic foodstuffs, which have little artificial flavoring and are high in protein and fibre; these foods will make you feel fuller for longer, which discourages snacking.