20 Wellness Hacks That Will Make You a Better Person

Seems simple enough, but so many of us forgo a morning meal to get to work faster, or tackle more to-dos. But it’s important to fuel your body first thing as a way to boost energy and rev your metabolism. If you’re short on time in the a.m. think about getting breakfast ready the night before in the form of overnight oats, pre-cut fresh fruit with yogurt, or healthy homemade muffins.

Some studies have shown that jumping up and down 10 times twice daily can improve bone density.

Say no to extra sodium and instead flavour food with herbs. In particular, oregano, basil, and parsley have been shown to help lower blood pressure.

Focusing on the negative can not only ruin your day, but increase stress levels and even draw more negativity into your life. Instead, stay positive and focus on what’s going right. An attitude of gratitude is one that will keep you the most satisfied with your life.

Walking is the easiest form of exercise and can be done anywhere, any time. The more steps you can take in a day, the healthier you’ll be. Get a pedometer or fitness tracker to count your steps as a way to maintain motivation and find out how many extra calories you’re burning in a day.

Since you’re dehydrated upon waking it makes sense to down a glass of water when you get out of bed well before you reach for the coffee. In addition, a glass of water in the morning helps flush out toxins and may help get your metabolism moving.

Use steamed collard leaves or kale in place of bread or tortilla wrap as an easy way to get more greens. You can also use spaghetti squash or spiral sliced zucchini and sweet potato in place of pasta.

Boost energy and feel good about knocking out 10 minutes of exercise before you even get to work by starting the day with something gently active. Whether it’s a quick 10 minute jaunt around the block or your favourite series of yoga poses, you’ll be benefiting your body in a big way.

Whether you’re cooking for one or five, make it easier to get good food on the table by making large batches of nutrient-dense soups, stews and casseroles and freezing them. That way you just need to add a salad or simple side dish while you wait for your healthy meal to heat up.

Wipe down anything that gets touched often by a lot of people such as your office door handle. It’s also a good idea to use a paper towel to open bathroom doors once you wash your hands.

Rather than sending an email reply to someone at work, get up and answer their query in person. Social interaction is always good for the soul, and you’ll be getting up and moving around the office rather than staying seated.

Smiles are nice to give and even nicer to get, so do your best to smile as often as you can. Studies have shown that smiling helps to reduce stress.

There are always opportunities to move. Are you waiting for your show to come back on after a commercial break? Waiting for the kettle to boil or the bathtub to fill up? Use these moments to do something active: jog in place, do jumping jacks, stretch, or do squats. 

The tongue can harbour a lot of bacteria that can in turn affect oral health and overall health. Take a few seconds to brush your tongue when you brush your teeth or invest in a tongue scraper.

Even mastering a few poses that you can do in the morning or at night can help increase flexibility and reduce stress.

Like smiling, laughter has been shown to reduce stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or just want to take a quick break, find something funny to watch or read online.

Epson salts in the bath help relax tired muscles, soothe skin, and give the body a magnesium boost. The magnesium in Epsom salts is absorbed by the skin and it’s an important mineral we often don’t get enough of. 

A smoothie full of veggies makes it easy to get your recommended daily dose.

Make it easier to drink enough water through the day by jazzing it up. Add fresh mint or basil, sliced strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, citrus fruits, and ginger in various combinations to liven up what you sip.

Slouching or hunching over can lead to chronic neck and back pain so it can pay off to improve your posture.