Being healthy is a matter of routine and engaging in the right mental and physical habits. While at first, it might seem like a tall order, the more we do it, the more we get used to it. And the more we get used to it, the easier it becomes. Soon enough, we find ourselves not even thinking about it.
As we keep that in mind, let us look at five great daily tips for all of us to lead happier, longer, and more productive lives.
Proper Oral Healthcare
Having nice teeth is not only about vanity and looking good in front of the mirror. It is also about the overall health of your mouth and the organs surrounding it. After all, an unhealthy set of pearly whites is often an underlying factor for other diseases, including cavities, gum disease, periodontitis, salivary gland disorders, and even oral cancer.
As such, engaging in a proper oral healthcare routine is one of the best things you can do to prevent future problems. And if you have the time and resources, it would also be beneficial to look into a dental treatment that includes a thorough cleansing and the use of custom-made orthodontic appliances.
Gratitude
No matter who you are, what you do, or the things you have been through in life, every one of us has something to be grateful for. If you don’t have the job you like, perhaps a loving family is your reward instead. If you find yourself sad because you are alone, think about how much more money you can spend and save than if you were with someone else.
From a health and wellness perspective, the daily act of being grateful for something can have an impact on both your physical and mental health. As studies show, gratitude can improve your sleep, boost your immune system, and decrease the risk of disease. And when you can sleep better, and your immune system is stronger, you can feel better and do more, the result being you are happier and more successful.
Physical Movement
Movement is synonymous with life. If you don’t believe it, ask a cricket to refrain from jumping or a shark to stop swimming and see what happens. This concept is not the Holy Grail of human knowledge and understanding. Rather, it is a simple piece of common sense.
Yet, in many developed countries around the world, people try to move as little as possible. Even if they only have to go up or down one floor, they choose to take the elevator instead. And when they are at home as most of us are during the covid-19 global pandemic, the only reason they leave their bedrooms is to go to the bathroom or get some food from the fridge.
There is no excuse for not engaging in physical movement daily. Unless you are bedridden with illness or in a wheelchair, there are plenty of things you can do.
Meditation
Like movement, breathing is also an essential aspect of survival, albeit an involuntary one. Whether you choose to do it or not, you cannot make the conscious decision to stop. At one point or another, your body will give up and let the air into your lungs.
Yet, not having to worry about breathing doesn’t mean you can’t do it better. It also doesn’t represent the inability to inhale and exhale deeper and strengthen all the organs in your respiratory system.
You don’t have to be an Indian guru or the Dalai Lama’s second cousin to be able to meditate. All you need is a few moments every day to focus on your breath. It will do wonders for your body and mind.
Stretching
A few years ago, Swedish car manufacturing giant Volvo made a commercial starring Holywood action superstar Jean Claude Van Damme. In it, the Brussels native performed a full split between two enormous trucks. At the time, Van Damme was close to 55 years old. It makes you wonder about the limits of human physical flexibility. You don’t have to be a blackbelt in Karate or Taekwondo or be able to do a flying roundhouse kick to gain the valuable benefits of stretching.
You need to have the awareness and presence of mind to do it for at least a few minutes every day. We all have busy schedules and a wide variety of responsibilities we need to attend to. Yet, right after getting up in the morning or going to bed, we all have time to stretch out our legs, arms, and back.
Five essential components of a daily health and wellness routine are taking care of our oral health, engaging in gratitude, moving our bodies, meditating, and stretching out our muscles. By being proactive about them, we give ourselves a chance to maximize every moment of our lives.
