I’m touching on a subject that’s very close to my heart at the moment – health. You all know that I’ve struggled over the past year with different problems on top of the M.E and trying to do the normal ‘eat healthy and exercise a lot routine’, which just isn’t something that I can do. I wanted to put together a list of 5 lazy ways to stay healthy, just little changes you can make during your day to make sure your body gets the best it can from your current situation.
If you’re ill and unable to do much like me, or if you don’t have much enthusiasm at all to go out and run a marathon like some do, these tips will help in the short term. Of course there are other things you can do to stay healthy like wearing sun cream, don’t eat endless amounts of junk food, not smoking, not drinking too much alcohol etc, but I wanted to touch on a few purer elements that make a difference to your life and your health on top of that. I hope you like it!
Drink Filtered Water
One of the most important things you can do to stay healthy is drink water. Water is the single most important thing that we need to put into our bodies in order to stay alive (besides air), without it, we will die, so make sure you drink plenty of it to keep yourself hydrated and your cells fed. Filtered water is the best, so be sure to do your best to make sure it’s clean and filtered, ready for drinking.
You can get a fruit infuser water bottle if you don’t like the taste of actual water, so you can have some fruit flavouring to it as well, which might help with the taste and give you a few more antioxidants. Lemon, lime or orange is great to add to your water as they’re cleansing and tasty.
I can’t stress enough just how important pure water is for our bodies and how much it actually helps you stay healthy, as well as making you look fresh and younger. It’s the number one thing you can do that requires no effort whatsoever, just replace a few of your sugary drinks with fresh water and you will see the benefits. I promise. It also helps flush your body of toxins too, which is only a good thing.
Get 8 Hours Sleep
What can be more lazy than sleeping? Next time you get moaned at for taking a nap or sleeping in, tell them it’s actually beneficial to your health. There are even numerous studies out there that show people who sleep less than 7-8 hours a night, as apposed to those who do, are likely to gain weight. If you can make sure you get a good amount of sleep at night, your body has chance to heal, repair and rest, making sure you are performing at your best during the day.
One thing I notice myself is that if I get less than 6 hours sleep, I end up feeling really ill, often get headaches, and can’t function well. Plus, it makes me susceptible to bugs and illness, so sleep is of high importance. Sleep quality is also a key thing, though, since if you’re waking up multiple times in the night and feeling restless, having bad dreams etc., this affects the rest your body should be having. Memory foam mattresses are always a good idea, like these ones from Eve Mattress or any other reputable bed specialists, as they mould to your body, making sure you’re comfortable while your sleep. But whatever you do, try to get 7-8 hours whenever possible! You’ll thank yourself for it.
Eat Raw Vegetables & Fruit
Everybody knows how important fruit and vegetables are for your body and your health, it’s spoken about daily everywhere, but did you know that they have the most nutrients and vitamins in them when they are raw? What can be easier than just washing a piece and eating it raw? No cooking or preparation, so it’s as easy as grabbing a chocolate bar from the fridge. Granted not every vegetable is ideal raw, but some of my favourites are carrots, kale, peas, broccoli and peppers, all of which have amazing health benefits.
I love to actually blend a lot of raw fruit and vegetables with water in my Nutri Bullet and drink it down. It blends the whole lot so you get the pulp, the seeds and all, giving you maximum benefit. Just from eating raw carrots you can notice a difference in your skin, you feel less bloated and you feel healthier, so I can’t even begin to explain how important the vitamins and minerals from raw fruit and vegetables are. Go organic wherever you possibly can to avoid chemicals and if you just can’t stomach most of them, please do take a good all round vitamin so you’re not missing out. Your cells need nourishment from nutritious foods in order to work, not empty calories junk food, just like your car needs the right petrol. I’ve noticed that if I eat bad food, I feel bad in myself and sluggish, but healthy foods make me feel so much better. You really are what you eat.
Do Gentle Exercise
Those of you who have followed me for a while and know about my physical restrictions with my M.E will know that exercise is extremely difficult for me. The whole reason I called this a lazy guide in the first place is because too much exertion is damaging to me and the easier it is, the better. I’m not about to tell you to go out and run for miles and lift weights at the gym (if you do that, that’s amazing and keep it up) as that’s just not possible for those of you who are like me, so what I do recommend is very gentle exercise.
This can be in the form of Tai-Chi or Qi-Gong which involves gentle, fluid movements which I’m sure you have seen. This is extremely easy and very beneficial to balancing your body and making you feel better. Light yoga can be really useful, but it’s a bit much for me at the moment, so keep it as gentle as you can. When I’m waiting for something to cook as well, it’s a good time to do light movements and stretches to keep your blood circulating properly. Even if you do things like this for a few minutes a day at various times, it’s going to help you.
For those of you who aren’t restricted by illness and want to get fitter, but hate the thought of pouring with sweat and getting exhausted, try riding an exercise bike. They are fantastic for leg and core strength, plus they are extremely easy as you can watch the TV at the same time if you want to. Whenever you might usually take the elevator, try the stairs instead and when you walk up them, really push into each step so you feel your glutes and thighs working. Just small little changes are ideal for staying healthy if you’re lazy or unable.
Have A Positive Mind
My final pointer is a positive mind set. I know it’s easier said than done, but being stressed, angry and upset is damaging to our health. I know this as 100% fact. I used to be extremely stressed out all the time and depressed and these emotions started actually turning into physical symptoms, making me very ill. The importance of de-stressing and trying to calm down is immense, honestly. This last year of my life has been one of my best when it comes to my mentality, ever since I found the lovely Lindsey McKeon’s blog and this interview for inspiration.
Reading book recommendations, like Siddhartha and The Power of Now, couldn’t be more lazy and easy either. What’s easier than lying or sitting down, reading a book? And when you have moments to yourself, just taking a few deep breaths, listening to relaxing music, and thinking positive, happy thoughts will do wonders for your health. Meditation and keeping calm will do wonders for you brain and your body’s ability to function properly. It will take a while to train your brain not to stress out, but I promise it will help you. All of those negative emotions are only harming us, so we need to let go.
– I really hope you found all of these tips helpful and if you have anything that you do that’s easy, to help you stay healthy on a regular basis, please do share with me! Just making tiny little changes like this will have a huge impact on your life and your well being. It has for me. Lorna xx.
Images courtesy of Emma Olliff, Juicemi Gourmet, Food Navigator, GLCH & Her Campus.
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This is such a helpful post Lorna with lots of valuable advice for your readers. I’ll definitely be trying to incorporate some of these habits into my daily routine, such as drinking more water and adding a twist of lemon or lime. Although I have a clean lifestyle in many ways, for example, not drinking or smoking, and being particular about sun protection like you, I still struggle with the management of stress, and lack of sleep. What you said is very true, and I have been making a conscious effort to stay positive in my mindset, even if I don’t always feel that way at first. I recently read that having suppressed anger has also been linked to certain cancers, so you’ve made a very valid point. Our emotions can certainly impact on our health, so it definitely seems to be a case of mind over matter.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and well-written post.
Saba xx
http://www.trulymadlydeeplyfashion.blogspot.com
Author
So glad you like it! Yeah I don’t drink any alcohol whatsoever, never smoke, never do drugs or anything like that. It’s so important to look after our bodies as much as we can as we only get the one. It’s crazy isn’t it how stress and anger can be so damaging? It releases too many hormones and chemicals in our body for prolonged periods of time, which causes damage as we aren’t meant to have such a high dose of them. So the more you can do to stay happy and positive, the healthier you will be xx.
That makes total sense Lorna. I think there’s a tendency sometimes to focus on physical health complaints more, rather than our frame-of-mind, but all of these things put together determine our overall health. You have excellent habits, you must be very disciplined! Yes, that’s so true. Negative emotions take a toll on our health as well, so we have to be just as aware of bad habits in our thinking as well.
Saba xx
Author
I do try, don’t get me wrong there are days when I can’t do any of it and I do get a bit down, but I just try to snap out of it and realise it’s just my own thoughts running away with me. I think it’s more about noticing that those negative emotions are not relevant to anything xx.
I think that’s understandable Lorna, when dealing with any major long-term condition. It’s impossible to feel positive at all times, especially when there are setbacks. However, once we’re attuned to our thoughts, we can detect when our perceptions might be a little exaggerated in some ways, for example, always assuming the worst is going to happen. I think once we can make the distinction between realistic concerns, and unnecessary catastrophising, we can understand the impact our perceptions might
be having on our thinking. It’s an ongoing process, but a very worthwhile one in the long run.
xx
Author
Absolutely! I couldn’t have said that better myself, Saba! xx.
These are really good tips, there really is more to a healthy lifestyle than just working out and eating ‘healthy’ – like you said our physical health is strongly affected by our mental health and meditation is a great way to improve it. I also love raw fruits and veggies and I really need to get my hands on a blender. xx
113-things-to-say.blogspot.com
Author
A blender works wonders! It’s such an easy way if you are rushed for time too, just drink it! Perfect!
I LOVE this post – thank-you! I’m struggling a lot with energy right now and we think it could be fibromyalgia (chronic muscle pain too). It’s so hard to know what i can do, when i have so little energy. Drinking water is definitely an area i’m working on! Sending lots of love your way xx
Author
I’m so glad it’s helpful. I do feel for you with fibromyalgia, it’s a horrible thing with all that nerve pain. I have it at various times, but not permanently, thankfully. But so glad you liked it!
You’ll be surprise how amazing tai chi and Qi Gong is for the mind, body and soul. It’s a lot about breathing exercise too and both are very effective! I’m sorry about your health problems, Lorna, I can’t imagine how frustrating is it for you but you’re such a positive person and I’m glad you found ways to adjust.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Author
They are definitely amazing exercises to do, pretty incredible really! And it’s ok, we all have our own issues, so thank you for the support, means a lot to me, Shireen!
Lorna, these are some great tips for being healthy… I completely believe in drinking lots of water, I try to drink 8-10 glasses per day… and once I am working from home, I am looking forward to actually getting 8 hours of sleep per night… I usually only get maybe 6 and it’s broken… I also need to start eating more whole fruits and vegetables… I have been really lazy… it is something I need to work on… It is great to read that you have found some easy ways to get healthy, especially with all your health issues xox
Author
Thanks, Launna! I’m glad when you start working from home things will be better for you, less stressful and getting more sleep might help you feel more positively about things, start feeling stronger. I hope so!
Lorna these are fabulous easy suggestions that can be Incorporated into the most hectic regime. And especially for those like your self that is not so fortunate to have good health. You are an Inspiration. Thankyou for this post xx
Author
Thank you, Ali! That’s really kind of you.
I agree with everything, dear Lorna! Water is excellent, I love drinking it all day long, veggies and fruits, well…. I am trying to change and eat them a bit more – so far, a week into the change I made good progress! I sleep really well and like you, if I don’t sleep more than at least not 6, but 7 hours, I feel bad. A positive mind we should all keep, that’s true, but one thing I still have to change is about exercising… well, a change little by little, first veggies, one day the exercise will come! Hope you have a nice weekend!
DenisesPlanet.com
Author
Yeah, exercise is a tough one, which for me is why I just do the gentle movements I mentioned, to keep my body functioning well and nurtured. I’m glad you’re eating more vegetables too! We are very similar it seems!
Great post! Thanks for sharing dear! Very helpful!
Hugs,
Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
Author
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for all these important tips! I need to slow down a little and implement some of them in my routine. Have a great weekend Lorna!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Author
Glad it helped!
I’m loving this post, hun! 🙂 I think the points you mentioned are great, easy ways of staying healthy. I’m deffo not a heavy exercise/strict diet type, so little tips like that are indeed very helpful for me. 🙂 <3 Especially drinking water… I need to get into the habit of drinking more water, I'm thinking of getting myself a little infuser like you mentioned so I can add fruits etc. for extra flavours. 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Bookmarking this. x x
Kay
http://shoesandglitter.com
Author
Hi Kay, so glad you liked it! 🙂
Good tips. I need to work on more sleep and not being stressed out. 🙂
Author
It definitely helps!
Sleep and water are such easy ways to be slightly healthier! And I’m definitely trying to incorporate more gentle exercise into my life as well. Great post, thanks for sharing x
alicered.co.uk
Author
Glad you liked it!
These are such great, practical tips you’ve shared, Lorna! When I don’t get a full 8hrs or slightly more, I feel very moody and my mind gets very foggy. I also try to each as much raw fruits and veggies as I can, I’m actually snacking on blueberries while typing this, haha! Thank so much for sharing and I hope you have a great weekend!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Author
That sounds like you have it figured out already! So glad it works for you!
Water and sleep are so important! I mean, all of these things are important, but if I could go back in time and talk to younger me, I would demand she go to bed earlier and drink more water. To think that our bodies are comprised of so much water, yet we (as a whole) rarely get the needed amount for optimum health. Drink up, everyone!
aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com
Author
I know, it’s crazy isn’t it? Water is like a miracle.
I agree wth all of these! I’m not marathon girl so I try to drink water and exercise a little. A positive outlook and minimizing stress is important too. This is so helpful. Thanks for stopping by my blog Lorna! Nice to see you again and I’m so happy to find yours again
http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com
Author
I’m so glad you really liked the post! And you’re welcome! I’m glad too!
Great post!
Have a nice week-end!
Gil Zetbase
http://gilzetbase.com/
Author
Thank you!
love these tips. I’ve been trying to implement 1, 4, and 5. Getting 8 hours of sleep is seriously a challenge for me. As of now I have to wake up in 6 hours and yet, I’m still here, hahahaha. thanks for the reminder though! have a happy week!
Author
Oh gosh, lol! Go to bed right now! Glad you found it helpful though!