Health Tips

10 Super Simple Health Tips

21. Give peas (and beans) a chance. To borrow and alter a phrase from John Lennon, give peas (plus beans and other legumes) a chance. Avoiding these fiber-rich plant proteins because they may cause a little gas means you are missing out on such great tasting nutrients. Introduce them gradually: sprinkle a handful on a salad, toss some into your soup, or mash them and mix with avocado for a quick dip.

22. Drink hot water with meals. There’s controversy over whether you should or should not drink cold water with meals (some say it improves digestion; others say it impairs it). Among the naysayers are cardiologist and author Stephen Sinatra, MD, who says consuming hot drinks, especially hot ginger tea, aids digestion.

23. Eat brightly colored foods. Fill your plate with several different (naturally) colored foods and the result will not only be pleasing to the eye, but welcomed by your body as well. The green, orange, red, yellow-orange, yellow-green, and red-purple substances that color our fruits and veggies are broadly called phytochemicals, and they are variously known for their antioxidant, cancer-fighting, and hormone-producing abilities. Eat a rainbow today and every day!

24. Stock healthful snacks. Have you ever had a craving for a snack but there’s nothing in the house or all you have are chips? Don’t get caught short: stock up on healthful snacks such as raw nuts, homemade granola, frozen fresh fruit, salsa, organic whole-grain crackers, and dark chocolate. Accumulate your stash gradually and never be caught off guard!

25. Sit quietly. At least once a day, take about 10 minutes to sit quietly where there are no distractions. Turn off your phone and music, turn out the lights, and just be with yourself. You can meditate if you want, or simply sit and let the tension and worries roll off your shoulders.

26. Explore your passion. If you are passionate about your work, great! If not, take time each day (that’s the goal) to explore your passion. If it involves reading great literature, painting, playing the violin, running, gardening, or something else, spend some time daily nurturing that fire. If you have to write that time into your schedule, do it!

27. Learn something new. You may have been out of school for several years or decades, but it’s never too late to learn something new. Even if it’s just a new word or a new way to, for example, use lemon peels, add to your knowledge base a little each day.

28. Get more fiber. You may be tired of hearing it, but most of us don’t get enough fiber—less than 5 percent of Americans! So why not do something about it right now! It’s surprisingly simple: a handful of berries, a few fresh or dried figs, a cup of split pea or bean soup, or a few teaspoons of chia seeds sprinkled over your oatmeal or blended into a smoothie are all a great start.

29. Grow something. There’s something satisfying about watching plants grow from seeds or cuttings. You don’t need fancy pots or a yard; you can nurture herbs, flowers, and many different vegetables in a wide variety of containers on a windowsill or patio. Herbs are generally easy and a favorite because you can use them in your cooking or medicinal purposes.

30. Forgive someone. Holding a grudge or wanting revenge is physically and emotionally exhausting and spiritually damaging. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean you condone what they’ve done or said; it means you forgive them without excusing the wrong. Releasing bitterness can result in less anxiety, lower blood pressure, greater spiritual well-being, stronger immune system, better heart health, higher self-esteem, and healthier relationships.