Daylight saving time is over, the trees are almost bare of leaves and you've finally had to pull out your winter hats -- but that's no reason to abandon your quest for better health. Try these 10 ideas for small improvements you can make in your day-to-day life. Your body and mind will thank you.
1. Buy a plant
Now that it's cold out, you're probably not opening the windows and letting in fresh air as often as you'd like, and that means your indoor air quality is suffering. Compensate by adding a houseplant or two to your decor. Studies show that plants can remove toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air -- different species process different substances, so make sure you have a variety of plants. Top performers include spider plants, gerbera daisies, Boston ferns and English ivy.
2. Make a pot of soup
Nothing warms you up on a chilly day like a steaming bowl of homemade soup. For optimal health benefits, choose a recipe that's high in veggies and legumes and low in fat -- so go for something like lentil or black bean rather than cream of mushroom or clam chowder, and serve with whole grain toast or croutons.
3. Stretch
Flexibility exercises often get pushed aside in favour of calorie-blasting cardio and muscle-toning weight training, but they're just as important to your overall well-being. Make sure to stretch all your major muscles after every workout, and consider adding stretch breaks throughout your day to keep muscles and joints limber.
4. Assess your beverage intake
One of the main culprits in weight gain is often the empty calories found in beverages, whether they be beer or wine, cocktails, pop, juice or fancy coffee drinks. Your body has a hard time gauging the intake of liquid calories, and at 139 calories in a can of Coke and more than 200 in a tall latte from Starbucks, it's easy to find yourself taking in an extra 500 calories a day -- which adds up to a pound a week. Try paying attention to what you drink in a day, and figure out where you can cut back without noticing. Have sparkling water at lunch, for instance, instead of a can of pop, and go for skim milk in your cappuccinos.
5. Kill germs
Cold and flu season is here, but that's no reason to succumb to every virus that crosses your path. Along with washing your hands often and taking care of your immune system, make sure to disinfect around your home and office -- doorknobs, phones and computers are all frequently handled objects that cold viruses can live on for hours, so make sure to keep them clean.
Page 1 of 2
