A Guide For Feeling Healthy & Beautiful From Head To Toe

In this fast-paced world, we can sometimes be guilty of not taking care of ourselves. We very often put our jobs, family, friends and other responsibilities before our health. If you are feeling tired, restless and you are lacking vigor all the time, it’s high time to change something. Our beauty comes from the inside. If you are taking care of yourself and your body, it will show on the outside. You will feel healthy, happy, and generally better about yourself and everything around you. It’s not as difficult as it sounds. There are many small steps you can take to start your journey of better health and happiness. Choose what works best for you and make a change. Read on for our guide for feeling healthy and beautiful from head to toe.

 

Head

Life can get chaotic and it can be very stressful for us. This means our mind is in constant overdrive to handle all of our responsibilities. This can create unnecessary stress and tension in your head. What we eat in a day can tremendously help us in overcoming many illnesses and problems we collide with. Including a lot of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet can help you gain mental sharpness and aid in reducing stress. These fatty acids are found in salmon and nuts.

 

Hair

Our hair is our crown and you should proudly display it. For any part of your body, there is a specific vitamin or mineral that can help ti most. For your hair that is zinc. It’s essential in helping your hair grow. It also makes your hair follicles work properly, which means no dandruff and a beautiful sheen from your hair. To get zinc in your body, you should eat lean beef, chicken, peanut butter and chickpeas, which also include protein. Another vitamin that is amazing for hair growth is vitamin B.

 

Ears

We need our ears and we need to keep them healthy. In our busy urban lives, this can be quite a challenge, as we are constantly surrounded by noise. If we are constantly exposed to sounds that are above 85 decibels, this can over time lead to hearing loss. Set aside some amount of your time during the day to sit calmly in complete silence to ease and relax your ears and brain. This will greatly help in reducing stress and the strain on your ears. Many people suffer from tinnitus, which is constant buzzing and ringing in your ears. Doing this may help ease it a bit.

 

Eyes

A big problem in this time and age is that we spend most of it looking at a screen of some sort. Many jobs require looking at your computer screen for many hours on end. This can lead to eye strain and worsening of your eyesight. Make sure your laptop or computer screen is far away and at an angle, so you are not directly looking at it. There are apps and programs on our gadgets that reduce the blue light that the screens emit. The blue light can offset our sleep schedules, making us less sleepy when we should be naturally preparing for sleep. These apps and settings reduce the blue light or emit yellow light that reduces eye strain and makes looking at screens a lot easier. After every hour, spend a couple of minutes moving your eyes around or looking outside to relax your eye muscles. For good eyesight, including enough of beta-carotene like spinach and kale can help in vision retention.

 

Teeth

Having healthy teeth means having better overall health of your body. The worst enemy to teeth health is acidic food and drinks like soda, coffee, and wine and smoking. They can destroy your enamel and it can erode and make your teeth discolored. Your teeth also become more sensitive and prone to decay. Try to eat acidic food when you have a big enough variety in your meal to neutralize it. For drinks like soda, it’s best to always use a straw. It minimizes the direct contact with the bad liquids from contacting your teeth. Drink plenty of water to dissolve sugar and acidic food you take. Brush your teeth two-three times a day for optimal gum and teeth health. Oral care solutions from Caredent like floss, toothbrushes, and toothpaste are essential to keeping your mouth healthy. Try to use natural toothpaste as they are healthier for your teeth and whole body. Don’t forget to go to the dentist regularly.

 

Skin

Skin is our body’s biggest organ, and it needs much care and attention. Use natural body showers and soap to avoid dry and itchy skin. Our skin needs hydration, so apply lotion or body oil after showering to lock in the moisture. A lotion with hyaluronic acid is perfect for this. Drinking plenty of water during the day is key. Our body is made of mostly water, so we must keep hydrated. Keep a bottle of water on hand so you don’t forget to drink enough. If you are going outside, remember to use sunscreen, as the sun rays are there even if it’s cloudy outside. This will prevent premature aging and possible skin cancer like melanoma. Vitamin C is key for replenishing collagen that is broken down by sun exposure.

 

Back

Most of us are spending many hours a day sitting in a desk chair, for work or school. If you spend most of your time sitting down, you risk having severe back problems. Sitting slowers down our body and makes us retain more fat. Aim to stand up and move a little every hour of sitting and working at a desk. This can greatly improve your back health and shape. Sit upright in your chair with feet planted on the floor. Make sure your chair is high enough so your arms are lowered or leveled with your shoulder. This will help in preventing slumped shoulders or tense positions. Include enough exercise in your day to day life, even if it’s just walking. Your spine is supported by your back muscles, so if you have strong muscles you will less likely have back problems. Sit-up is a simple exercise you can do to strengthen your core muscles, which also support your spine.

 

Heart

Our heart is the center of our body, and we should keep it as healthy as possible. Living busy and fast lifestyles can have a big impact on our heart, and not in a good way. Eating junk food, not sleeping enough and avoiding exercise can add up to many heart problems that can be detrimental. Avoid smoking, exercise and eat healthy food to keep your heart in great shape. Grapes contain powerful antioxidant resveratrol which reduces the risk of heart disease. A glass of good wine is very good for your heart. If you quit smoking, it reduces the risk of getting heart disease by 50%. Omega-3 fatty acids can greatly improve your heart health, so try to include fish as often as you can in your diet.

 

Lungs

To improve your lung health you should have regular exercise, especially cardio. Running, jumping, dancing can increase the capacity of your lungs and make them healthier. By exercising you get your heart rate up and you need more oxygen. With regular exercise, your lungs won’t feel out of breath as often. It’s a given, but it’s important to mention that avoiding cigarettes can greatly impact your overall health. A Mediterranean diet is perfect for your heart and lungs. It includes a diet rich in vitamins C and E, betacarotene, omega-3s, and flavonoids. They all contribute to a body without lung problems like asthma and chronic bronchitis. This diet also reduces cancer risks.

 

Kidneys

Many people have kidney problems like kidney stones or sand. They can be very dangerous and painful. They are created by bad water and processed food, specifically salt in them. Avoid eating processed food as much as you can for overall body health. The salt can affect your heart also, creating problems with high blood pressure. Drink lots of water, especially in the summer months. You sweat a lot during summer, and your body needs enough hydration. This is the time most kidney stone cases occur, so be careful.

 

Stomach

Fatty food, and not the good kind, is one of the biggest food problems we face nowadays. Processed and fast food is becoming detrimental to our health, and it’s best to avoid it at all costs. Eating fatty food also produces uncomfortable heartburn and acid reflux. If you tweak your diet even a little bit, you will see great results. Exercise plays a key role in reducing your body weight and fat and improving your health. Go to the gym two times a week at least, or enroll in dance classes. Moving your body will use up energy and stored fat. If you combine exercise with healthy food options, you will feel healthier and look better in no time.

 

Legs

As little as 15 minutes of walking or running every day can help in your general health and in protecting your knee cartilage from degeneration. Knees are supporting our whole body every time we walk, so we should take care of them as best as possible. More people are suffering from osteoarthritis every year, and doing exercise and moving can help in reducing the possibility of this disease. Having strong leg muscles can support your legs and body, and make it easier to walk for longer periods. If your feet hurt, it’s probably due to uncomfortable shoes you are wearing. Find anatomic shoes or shoe soles that will make it easier to walk and reduce feet pain. Massage your feet every day to relax them.

 

Breakfast

If you start your day right, your whole day will surely be good. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same hours every day, to give your metabolism a proper sleep schedule. When you wake up, start your day with a nutrient-rich meal like eggs, cereals, and fruit. This meal has a high dose of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins that will keep you energized until lunch. A good breakfast will normalize sugar levels in your body, making your body balanced throughout the day. It will also keep your weight under control while helping you lower your cholesterol. A good, healthy breakfast regulates the insulin and glycogen levels, which gives you proper energy and makes you feel good. You will not feel cranky or have any snack cravings during the day. Start your day with a good glass of water to wake your metabolism up and keep everything running smoothly.

 

Be in the sun

A natural way to feel better and energized that we often neglect is spending time outside and in the sunshine. Spending time outside and in the sun boosts dopamine and produces vitamin D. Vitamin D is very difficult to produce and it’s one of the key elements in reducing depression. Just by sitting in the sun a bit may improve your happiness and wellbeing. Having a good attitude towards life can help combat many illnesses and challenges we face. Being outside in the fresh air keeps our stress levels lower. Have a morning walk or a run and see how your energy boost and how much happier you can feel. On the other side, having enough sleep can also help in reducing stress and anxiety. Try to keep a regular sleeping schedule for optimal health.

 

Keeping every part of our body in check and good shape may seem like a lot of work, but it’s very worth it. Nothing is more important than having good health and being happy. Change your diet, have enough sleep and exercise regularly to create the best and healthiest version of yourself. Being happy, smiling more and being grateful can have a big impact on your life. Spend time with your loved ones and cherish your body and wellbeing.

By Helen Bradford