Last year, I wrote a post about 10 healthy changes you can make today (click here for link). Since I’m sure you’ve all implemented all 10 things into your life and you’re living them daily (totally accurate, right?), I decided it was time for a few more healthy changes you can make today.

A lot of the tips on my previous post had to do with eating habits. These are basic life habits. In this post, I’m not even going to reprimand you if still eat candy corn. Y’all know how I feel about nutrition and exercise, so making those kinds of life changes is always great, but it’s important to always be working toward the whole package. So… I promise these tips have nothing to do with working out and lowering your sugar intake.

Add Lemon to Your Water

Drinking water is important, but adding lemon ups the benefits. Adding lemon to your water helps clean your body of toxins and boosts your energy. I just squeeze half a lemon into 16-20 ounces of water. Plus, it tastes amazing. Click here to learn more about the benefits of lemon water.

Take L Glutamine

L Glutamine helps with digestion, blood sugar levels and helps make your weight lifting more effective (though as promised, I’m not going to say a word about how weight lifting is extremely beneficial in burning fat and staying healthy. Really, I’m not going to talk about it). I buy a powder supplement in bulk  (click here for link) and add it to my food. It doesn’t change the taste of the food but makes me feel fabulous because I know I’m doing something great for myself. I’m so awesome. Click here to learn more about the benefits of L Glutamine.

Take and Epsom Salt Bath

I know that right now I’m your best friend because I just told you to take a leisurely bath. Last week in my anatomy class, I learned that there are medical reasons we need to unwind. I won’t give you all the details because not everyone finds anatomy books as fascinating as supernatural romance books written for teenagers but read by middle-aged women; but I do. The point is, you need to unwind. Taking a bath is a great way to relax and get your body back in balance. Add some Epsom salt and you’re doing yourself two favors. Bathing in Epsom salts helps you relax, soothes sore muscles (that come from lifting weights… that may be good for you) and can also help detoxify your body. This is my favorite kind of Epsom salts (click here for link). The smell is amazing! Click here to learn more about Epsom salt baths.

Use a Facial Moisturizer with Vitamin C

Vitamin C can protect skin from the sun and actually cut down on wrinkles. This is my favorite moisturizer. Click here for link. It smells great, works really well and is even great for sensitive. Everything makes my skin react, but I’ve never had a problem with this moisturizer.  Click here for more information about the benefits of Vitamin C on your skin.

Meditate Daily

So when I say meditate, I don’t mean you have to sit cross-legged and chant. If you want to, be my guest. When I say meditate, I mean sit quietly and clear your mind. Sometimes I do this sitting, sometimes lying down, but I try to take 10 minutes a day to sit somewhere without noise and close my eyes and clear my mind. Like with the bath, it’s a great way to reset and during this time I often get insights I couldn’t get surrounded by noise and stress. Click here to learn more about the benefits of meditation.

Wash Your Hair Less

Okay. Stick with me. This may seem gross, but washing your hair less helps it be healthier, grow faster and be shinier. Plus, it makes life so much easier to not have to do your hair every day. I wash my hair 2-3 times a week. At first my hair was a bit nasty… but it adjusted to less washing after just a few weeks. So far I’ve told you to take more baths, sit for 10 minutes a day and wash your hair less. You’re welcome. Click here to learn more about how washing your hair less may make it healthier.

Read More

We always talk about how important it is to read to kids, but we rarely talk about the benefits on adults. You’re never too old to benefit from reading. Reading helps you unwind, improve concentration and can even slow the effects of aging on your brain. Plus, falling asleep after reading is much better for you than falling asleep after watching TV or looking at pictures of your friends’ babies or cat videos on Facebook. Click here to learn more about the benefits of reading.

Contact a Friend Every Week

I love watching movies like Anne of Green Gables or Pride and Prejudice. And not just because I have crushes on Gilbert Blythe and Mr. Darcy… though I do. I love the simpleness of the times. People spent more time together and visited each other out of the blue. Every time Rachel Lynde visited Marilla Cuthbert, she had tea and cakes ready for her. I’m not sure if it’s the daily cake I envy, or the fact that people made time for each other. We need realtionships with people outside of texting and Facebook. We need conversation and to actually know how to talk to someone while they’re in the same room. Friendships can help reduce stress, improves overall health and helps you live longer. Click here to learn more about the benefits of friendship.

Take Fish Oil Daily

I used to hate taking fish oil. It came in one of those massive capsules that made me choke. Once I got it down, I’d burp up fish taste all day. That’s just gross. Then I discovered this fish oil (click here for link) and it’s SO much better. I actually look forward to taking my fish oil. My 5-year-old daughter asks me if she can have some fish oil every day. Fish oil can protect joints, and your heart and can help with depression. The healthy fats benefit your brain, skin, muscles, bones, etc. You name it, fish oil helps it. Click here to learn more about the benefits of fish oil. 

Keep a Journal

I’ve gone through a lot of journaling phases in my life. I have journals from high school/college full of sob stories about boys I was deeply in love with. I have journals complaining about the miseries of pregnancy and I have journals that just simply list a few things I felt grateful for every day. Keeping a journal helps exercise your mind, helps you work through your feelings and relieves stress. Click here to learn more about the benefits of keeping a journal.