Do you want to make some changes to your lifestyle? Did you know that making some simple adjustments can radically benefit your health? 

A huge analytical study in 2012, discovered that over half of premature deaths were due to unhealthy lifestyle factors. 

The good news is, it’s easy to change our lifestyle and adopt healthier habits. Starting today!

Do you have a healthy lifestyle?

What is a healthy lifestyle?

We’ve probably all heard our inner voice telling us to get healthier. Especially when we find that bruised piece of fruit from the bottom of our bag. We kept promising ourselves we would eat it but it just never seemed to happen, right? 

But what does it mean to live a healthy lifestyle? In order to have a healthy lifestyle we need to first have healthy habits. There are some key areas to focus on if we want to have a healthy lifestyle. According to a major research study the following factors were shown to affect overall health and longevity.

These factors are:

• Diet
• Exercise
• Smoking
• Alcohol intake
• BMI (body mass index)

When we make the right choices to support these key areas, we are on track for a long and healthy life.  

Signs of an unhealthy lifestyle

Do you feel close to burnout? Feel like there are not enough hours in the day? Or is your health suffering? Some signs of an unhealthy lifestyle include:

• Having a fridge full of junk food and a lack of fruit and veg
• Feeling like a zombie as you drag yourself out of bed
• Needing a nicotine boost to get you through the day
• Feeling out of breath when you take the stairs
• Unable to remember the last time you wore gym clothes
• You only drink coffee or alcohol, never water
• Wondering who is looking back at you in the mirror

In our fast-paced society, it is easy to slip into unhealthy habits. But we can turn it around and start to feel healthier, happier and like we are living our best life.

How to live your best life

Living your best life means adopting healthy habits. Habits that increase your health and happiness leaving you stress free and ready for anything. It has been reported that adopting just one healthy habit can increase life expectancy by two years!

Deciding to live your best life is the first step in making some changes. But what are the best changes to make that support a new healthy lifestyle? 

5 simple lifestyle changes for better health

We’ve researched the top 5 changes that are easy to put into practice. They are all guaranteed to benefit your health by improving your physical and mental wellbeing. 

1. Stop smoking

Stopping smoking is the number one thing you can do to dramatically improve your health. If you still smoke, there are so many benefits to quitting. Here at ripple+ HQ, we’ve chosen the f**k nicotine lifestyle. We want to give the world a plant-based alternative to the dreaded nicotine. Our ripple+ puffs are the healthy choice if you’ve decided to kick the habit and stop smoking. Not only will you experience a relaxing oasis of calm but your whole body will start regenerating - maybe not quite like X-Men’s Wolverine - but it’s still pretty cool.  

1. Prioritise sleep and self-care

Yes, we’ve heard it all before, but we should be getting at least 7 hours of shut-eye a night. We know getting adequate sleep can be a tricky thing to master. But the benefits are huge. When we are juggling work, home and responsibilities it can be difficult to switch off. With thoughts tumbling through our heads, it can feel impossible to fall asleep. Winding down in the evening isn’t just about watching Netflix. Try having an hour of 

screen-free time to help you nod off more easily. Self-care isn’t a luxury. Take the time to  treat yourself with a long soak in the bath or a new book. Do whatever it is that makes you feel nurtured and relaxed.

1. Get some exercise

Exercise isn’t just good for our physical health, it works wonders for our mental wellbeing too. When we fall out of the habit of exercising, it can be difficult to get back into it. When we plan to do it tomorrow, tomorrow never comes. With a bit of creativity, it is possible to fit exercise into a busy schedule. Remember that every step counts. So hop off the tube before your stop and walk the rest of the way. Stand up whenever you can and get moving. Waiting for the kettle to boil or to use the photocopier? Jog on the spot or do some stretching. You might even inspire others to join you.

1. Balance your diet

Having a balanced diet doesn’t mean cutting out all the donuts and Friday night takeaways. Moderation is the key. There’s no need to look for the next diet craze either. Fad diets can have negative health consequences. Eating a mixture of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes gives you all the essential nutrients. This keeps our immune system in good condition and boosts our overall health. 

1. Get grateful

The practice of gratitude is trending. And for good reason. When we feel grateful our brain and body actually change. Feelings of gratitude have been shown to create changes in the brain’s prefrontal cortex. This strengthens our ability to regulate emotions. It also reduces the amount of stress hormones in the body. Take a moment to consciously count your blessings. Start with listing 3 things you are grateful for. The more we focus on positive feelings, we shift our attention from the negative. Gratitude makes us feel happier, improves our mental health and relieves stress. It’s a simple daily habit that boosts happiness and wellbeing.

You are in control

Changing your lifestyle means adapting things that you have control over. This means that any changes you make are your choice. Making the decision to change is the first step towards improved health and wellbeing. Feeling healthy, happy and having everything together is only one decision away. 

When you implement a new lifestyle change, it can feel difficult. The time it takes for a new habit to become automatic varies. Estimates range from between 2 weeks to up to a year. So don’t be hard on yourself if you slip up. Remember it’s always better to slip up than to give up completely. You got this!