1. Hang out with positive people and movers-and-shakers
Research is starting to confirm what your mother always told you—that the people around you can be good or bad influences. Spend time with folks who have the habits you want!
2. Take a break from your militant diet and exercise regime
If you never, ever indulge, that's not living well. Take Sunday off and you’ll wake up eager to get back on track Monday morning.
3. Get back into nature
There’s a reason why apartments overlooking the park are more expensive. Whether we realize it or not, humans have a profound connection with nature. Just try walking through green spaces on your way to work or bringing your Kindle to a park bench.
4. Practice Hari Hachi Bu
This is the Japanese practice for eating until you’re 80 percent full - it's helpful because it takes about 20 minutes for our brains to catch up with our stomachs. Eating less is not only associated with avoiding weight gain but living longer.
5. Double Your Ds
Vitamin D, that is! Particularly on those dreary winter days, it’s important to get enough vitamin D. Doctors used to promote vitamin D as only good for bones, but new research associates it with preventing a host of maladies, such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. Take not more than 600 IU daily.
6. Try some Tulsi
Known as holy basil, this herb has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years (mystics believed it fostered personal growth and enlightenment). Usually sipped in tea or taken in supplement form, tulsi is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Even better, tulsi also lowers cortisol, the hormone associated with stress and belly fat.
7. Eat your ‘shrooms
Shiitake, enoki, oyster, and maitake mushrooms boost immune system activity and have anti-inflammatory properties. They’ve been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years and are getting more recognition as health-boosters in the West.
8. Hit some HIIT
That’s high intensity interval training. Short bursts of activity have been shown to be even more effective at burning fat than prolonged periods of exercise. That’s really good news for those barely able to find the time to exercise.
9. Know your “trigger points”
Everyone has a tendency to overuse certain muscles, whether they're related to your desk work or your workout. It’s important to be aware of your trigger points, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and limit your range of motion and use massage and stretching to prevent injury. And you don't need an excuse to get a massage!!
Research is starting to confirm what your mother always told you—that the people around you can be good or bad influences. Spend time with folks who have the habits you want!
2. Take a break from your militant diet and exercise regimeIf you never, ever indulge, that's not living well. Take Sunday off and you’ll wake up eager to get back on track Monday morning.
3. Get back into nature There’s a reason why apartments overlooking the park are more expensive. Whether we realize it or not, humans have a profound connection with nature. Just try walking through green spaces on your way to work or bringing your Kindle to a park bench.
4. Practice Hari Hachi Bu
This is the Japanese practice for eating until you’re 80 percent full - it's helpful because it takes about 20 minutes for our brains to catch up with our stomachs. Eating less is not only associated with avoiding weight gain but living longer.
5. Double Your DsVitamin D, that is! Particularly on those dreary winter days, it’s important to get enough vitamin D. Doctors used to promote vitamin D as only good for bones, but new research associates it with preventing a host of maladies, such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. Take not more than 600 IU daily.
6. Try some Tulsi
Known as holy basil, this herb has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years (mystics believed it fostered personal growth and enlightenment). Usually sipped in tea or taken in supplement form, tulsi is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Even better, tulsi also lowers cortisol, the hormone associated with stress and belly fat.
7. Eat your ‘shrooms
Shiitake, enoki, oyster, and maitake mushrooms boost immune system activity and have anti-inflammatory properties. They’ve been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years and are getting more recognition as health-boosters in the West.
8. Hit some HIIT
That’s high intensity interval training. Short bursts of activity have been shown to be even more effective at burning fat than prolonged periods of exercise. That’s really good news for those barely able to find the time to exercise.
9. Know your “trigger points”
Everyone has a tendency to overuse certain muscles, whether they're related to your desk work or your workout. It’s important to be aware of your trigger points, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and limit your range of motion and use massage and stretching to prevent injury. And you don't need an excuse to get a massage!!
~from Jim Nicolai's Integrative Wellness Rules: A Simple Guide to Healthy Living
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