The Top 9 Life Hacks for Better Health
Good health is the gateway to an energized, happy and fulfilling life. Tiny adjustments to your daily habits and routines can yield major health dividends, helping you feel more vibrant and well. In this post I’ll share my 9 favorite easy health life hacks anyone can implement to boost wellbeing.
Kitchen and Nutrition Hacks
Small changes to how you prepare food and structure your diet go a long way. These simple nutrition life hacks pack some of the biggest health dividends using ingredients in your pantry!
Swap vegetable oils for coconut oil
Coconut oil contains natural medium-chain triglycerides that boost metabolism. Use coconut oil for pan cooking over veg oils to burn more calories during digestion. You can even add coconut oil to your coffee or daily smoothie.
Sneak veggies into dishes
The more veggies you eat the better for gut and overall health. Yet sitting down to a big plain salad isn’t always feasible. So sneak extra veggies wherever possible – hide cauliflower in oatmeal, blend zucchini into smoothies, and substitute spaghetti squash for pasta.
Drink lemon water daily
Starting your day with a tumbler of lukewarm water with fresh lemon helps hydrate, alkalize your pH, and improve digestion. The vitamin C helps nutrient absorption too. Keep prepped lemon water in your fridge so its ready when you wake.
Destress and Improve Mental Clarity
Rest, relaxation and stress-reduction also power wellbeing. Against the backdrop of nonstop schedules and anxiety, these tricks reset peace of mind.
Journal every morning
Journaling your thoughts, feelings and anything on your mind first thing in the morning has surprising health benefits. Offloading swirling mental chatter onto paper declutters your brain so you start the day centered with intention. This also regulates emotions and reduces stress.
Take five minutes of non-judgmental silence
In a noisy world, the simple act of sitting in silence without input can work wonders. Turning off stimuli to just BE lets your consciousness recharge and creates mental space for internal wisdom. Sit with eyes closed and notice – yet don’t judge – whatever arises.
Do child’s pose anytime
This restorative yoga posture stretches your spine, stimulates your vayus nerve, and triggers the relaxation response. At work, home or anytime you feel stressed, come onto your knees then lean hips back toward feet and elongate arms forward fully. Close eyes and breathe deeply for 1 minute.
Pain Relief Hacks
When everyday aches, pains and discomfort flare up – from headaches to sore muscles – you don’t need to pop pills for relief. There are easier, healthier alternatives to try first.
Drink your greens for inflammation
Pulverize leafy greens like spinach and kale into single serving smoothie or juice packs and freeze into popsicle molds. When inflammation or joint pain strikes, grab a “green juice” pop for natural anti-inflammatory compounds that also provide hydration from the greens’ high liquid content.
Loosen tight hips with lacrosse balls
Runners, cyclists and desk workers often develop tight hips leading to low back and hamstring pain. Sit on the floor and place a lacrosse ball under one butt cheek as you lean slightly over it. Roll side to side over the ball for 1 minute to loosen tight connective tissue and muscles around the pelvis.
Relieve sinus pressure with salt rinse
At the first sign of sinus pressure or seasonal allergy discomfort, dissolve 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt into warm water. Cup your hands and inhale through your nose as you dunk your face into your palms, pulling saltwater into your nasal cavity. Then blow gently through the opposite nostril. Repeat on each side to drain mucus.
Implementing even a couple of these clever health boosting life hacks can profoundly impact your physical and mental wellbeing long term. Small adjustments that optimize nutrition, reduce stress and alleviate discomfort compound over weeks and months to boost vitality from the inside out.
