Health And Happiness: Positive Lifestyle Changes You Can Make Today

If you’ve been plowing all your energy into your career, your relationship, or your family, your health may have taken a back seat. The trouble is that many of us take our health for granted, and we don’t realize how blissful it is to feel good until sickness hits. It’s not possible to avoid every illness or realistic to think that we’ll feel ecstatically happy every single day, but there are steps you can take to boost your health and happiness. 

Here are some positive changes you can make today. ​

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Shielding and Nurturing Your Mental Health
Most of us tend to concentrate on diet and exercise when it comes to our health, but the definition of health relates to the absence of physical and mental illness. Mental health is a subject that is attracting more and more attention, but there’s still a way to go. Many 

people still feel uncomfortable talking about psychological issues, and they’re apprehensive about seeking help and advice. 

​The truth is that we should all be concerned about our mental wellbeing. You don’t have to suffer from depression or be prone to bouts of anxiety to take an interest in mental health. There are things you can do to shield your psychological health and promote happiness and calm, even if you feel perfectly content. Spend time with people who make you laugh and feel good and cut ties with those who bring you down or make you question your value. Try not to compare yourself to others too much and devote time to hobbies, interests and passions. Be grateful for what you have, rather than dwelling on what you don’t have, and give yourself a break. Most of us are guilty of being our own harshest critic. While it’s beneficial to set goals and strive to achieve them, don’t put yourself down or apply too much pressure. Nobody is perfect, and most of the world’s leading lights have suffered rejection or failure at some point. ​

Embracing Exercise
​Exercise is often linked to weight loss, but it has so much more to offer than helping you to drop pounds. Physical activity is proven to reduce the risk of a host of life-threatening illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity, and it can also increase strength, stamina, and 

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flexibility. Working out, or even taking a walk, can also contribute to better mental health. Exercising reduces stress, it aids sleep, and it provides a natural high. This is achieved by the release of endorphins and elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. 
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If you’ve never really been into exercise, even the thought of setting foot in the gym can be daunting, but everyone has to start somewhere. If you want to join your local gym, sign up for training sessions to get used to the machines and equipment, take a friend with you for moral support, and get involved with beginner’s classes. If you don’t fancy the gym, there are myriad other activities you can try that will enable you to increase your fitness and reap the rewards of an active lifestyle. Go cycling, climbing, skating, running or kayaking, or try soccer, tennis, golf, swimming or dancing. For more fun exercise tips, take a look at this article https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a19983775/fun-exercises/. If your body is moving, you should notice a positive difference.

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Looking After
​Your Smile
Smiling is one of the most influential and important forms of human communication. Sadly, many people hide their smiles away because they’re self-conscious about the look of their teeth. It’s uncommon to have perfect pearly whites, but there’s a vast range of treatments and therapies on offer today. Modern dental offices can provide a 

solution for any cosmetic or dental problem.  From missing teeth and crooked smiles to stained and chipped teeth, dentists can achieve incredible transformations. If you’re unhappy with your smile, and you’d love to feel more confident when your teeth are on show, take a look at this page to get an idea of the kinds of treatments that are available rickoffdentistry.com/dental-services/. As well as tending to aesthetic imperfections or orthodontic issues, it’s also incredibly beneficial to make changes to protect your smile. Make sure you brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes, avoid sugary foods and eating between meals, and see your dentist for a routine check-up every 6 months. 

Looking after your teeth and gums will reduce your risk of gum disease, decay, and premature tooth loss, but it will also help to improve your general health. Poor oral health is linked to an elevated risk of heart attacks, strokes, and complications during pregnancy and labor. ​​

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Focus On Nutrition
When we hear the word diet, we tend to conjure up images of cabbage soup or think about craving pizza or burgers when we’re munching through a plate of leaves. Diets are usually associated with weight loss, but really, we should be focused on nutrition, rather than the scale. A healthy diet shouldn’t just help you to lose excess weight and maintain a healthy BMI. 

It should also provide your body with the nutrients it needs. Aim for 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, increase your intake of whole-grain foods, steer clear of processed products, and keep an eye on sugar and salt content. Try and cook whenever possible and resist the temptation to follow fad diets. You might lose a tonne of weight eating soup for a month, but the results won’t be sustainable, you’ll probably spend every moment craving tasty foods, and your body will be missing out on essential vitamins and minerals. There’s nothing wrong with having a treat from time to time. 

Sometimes, when life gets hectic, your health may not be a priority. The good news is that you don’t have to make dramatic changes to your lifestyle to boost your health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of illness. Just a few simple steps can make all the difference, so why not start putting your health first today?

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By Iconic Chica Mag