The warm weather is coming! You’re spending more time outside and enjoying the best of the season. A cornerstone of seasonal happiness is, of course, your health. Whether it’s a health tip to carry through the rest of the year, or something that you should be extra mindful of in the warm weather, Boon is bringing you our top five tips for Spring 2019.
1. Walk it Out
Embarking on a wellness journey and intimidated by the gym? No problem. You already have all the tools you need.
Walking is the ideal method for maintaining your health and wellness. You can do it anytime, anywhere, and at no cost to you. Experts advise that fitness beginners start with a 15 to 30 minute walk every day, gradually adding 5 to 10 minutes to each session.
The ideal pace, to maintain your health, is the “talking pace.” This just means that you should not be breathing so hard that you would not be able to hold a conversation. Of course, you can always ramp up the pace for aerobic and cardiovascular health. Don’t forget to stretch when you’re done, to prevent sore muscles.
2. Your Health by the Numbers
Preventative care starts with you. Knowing your “numbers”, your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body mass index are vital to assessing your risk of illness and are a good baseline to understanding your overall health. If you know where “your numbers” are, you’re better equipped to make decisions that address your personal health needs.
Here’s a quick lightning round on how to interpret your health, by the numbers. Normal blood pressure should be less than 120 over 80. With respect to your blood sugar, a normal blood sugar level is under 100 when using the FPG test. Which brings us to your BMI. Your BMI measures your weight in relation to your height, it’s not a precise science but it helps you to determine a healthy range. A BMI more than 25 is an indication that you may be overweight for your frame.
3. Eat Well, Live Well
Our food is our fuel. When we put in quality, healthy fuel, we feel better and we operate better. Replacing unhealthy eating habits with healthier ones can be difficult, especially if unhealthy habits are all you have ever known.
Lifestyle changes don’t happen overnight. They’re small adjustments that stick and grow over time. Some quick tips to get you started could include: plan as many home-cooked meals as you can, switch to a healthier version of one of your favorite foods, replace one sugary drink per day with a glass of water, and be sure to eat breakfast.
Fun Fact about breakfast: People who eat breakfast not only have more energy and focus, throughout the day, but also tend to make healthier meal and portion choices for lunch and dinner. Click here to read more!
4. Stay Cool
Summer is coming! The days are getting warmer and you’re sure to be spending more time outside. Have fun, but do not let the summer heat get the best of you.
Heat exhaustion is a very real threat and can sneak up on you when you’re taking advantage of those warm days. Symptoms include, dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, and vomiting. Heat exhaustion can turn into the much more dangerous heat stroke, so quick action is necessary.
It’s imperative to get a person suffering from heat stroke to a cool place and to make sure they are getting plenty of water. You can ward off heat exhaustion by being mindful of your time outdoors and taking breaks in the AC, drinking plenty of water, and dressing in light clothes.
5. Manage Your Stress
Did you know that 80 percent of Americans see their jobs as a huge stressor in their life?
Common workplace stressors include heavy workloads, pressure to perform, long work hours, and office conflicts. Stress is a normal part of everyday life, but there comes a point when stress starts to negatively impact your health and that’s when you have to spring into action. Stress can result in insomnia, headaches and stomachaches, and issues with anxiety and depression.
It is important to manage your stress, so you can maintain optimal health. Don’t be afraid to take a break, ask for help when you need it, and focus more on the things you can control versus the things that are beyond your control.
Have a very healthy Spring!
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Have you tried any of these wellness tips? Have a tip that we missed? Leave us a comment!