4 Healthy Habits You Should Start Today

Health isn’t something you should take for granted. It’s something you have to work to cultivate. Maintaining a strong and healthy system requires discipline, determination and the ability to remain open minded. What’s needed for good health often changes over the years, especially in a world with fast technology and plenty of funding for health-related research. Experts are always learning more about how we should take care of our bodies, and they are sure about a few habits that can make a huge difference in promoting a long and healthy life.

1. Increase Your Intake of Healthy Liquids

By drinking more smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices, you can hydrate your system and drench it with nutrients at the same time. Add a slice of lemon to your water for a refreshing treat with antioxidant properties. Juice organic carrots and give your body a boost of beta-carotene, which supports healthy skin. If you have a sweet tooth, start your day with a banana-strawberry smoothie, giving you a dose of potassium and vitamin C. Before long, you’ll discover that your cravings for unhealthy liquids, such as soda, will go begin to go down.

2. Start Taking Fish Oil

If you wanted to make a habit of just one supplement, fish oil would be an excellent choice. This nutritional powerhouse packs an amazing punch, offering many life-changing benefits in just a few capsules a day. Some of the benefits of fish oil include:

• Increasing brain health and fighting the symptoms of depression.
• Reducing pain and inflammation in the body.
• Enhancing the immune system.
• Improving the look and feel of the skin.
• Lowering unhealthy triglyceride levels.

Researchers are discovering more about the benefits of fish oil every day. If you’re a vegetarian, consider flaxseed oil, which offers many of the same benefits.

3. Eat like a Vegetarian

There is much debate about whether a vegetarian diet is the best choice for health. It’s clear that diets that reduce the intake of red meat are wonderful, but you don’t necessarily have to go full-on vegetarian to receive the benefits. If you begin eating more nutrient-dense plant foods, you’ll naturally have less room for your favorite junk. For optimal health, focus on:

• Fiber-rich beans, lentils and vegetables.
• Leafy greens such as kale, collards and chard.
• nutritious grains, including steel-cut oats, brown rice, quinoa and buckwheat.

4. Do Something That Makes You Laugh Each Day

Whether it’s triggered by the evening sitcoms or a silly spouse, you should make a habit of laughing your butt off at least once per day. Laughter reduces stress, lowers high blood pressure and exercises your heart. Other benefits of laughter include:

• Increasing your personal satisfaction in life.
• Improving your relationships with the people around you.
• Relieving pain.
• Helping you build better immune function.

For more information about how laughter can be healthy, please click here. Life can be very difficult at times, and it helps to try and find joy and meaning in all of your experiences. Getting comfortable with this mentality as early as possible will help give you a long and healthy life. You want to be relaxing in your later years—not searching for urgent care locations. Begin practicing these healthy habits today, and you will surely live to see a more beautiful tomorrow.

Andrea L. is a freelance writer currently living in beautiful Denver, Colorado. She is driven to create high-quality web content on the subjects of health and fitness.