With cold temperatures, the desire to curl up by the fire, cook up comfort food and be sedentary, winter can be hard to make healthy living a priority when all you want to do is hibernate. However, the time for longer days and warmer weather are nearly here which means more time outside and soaking up the sun.Spring that sweet period between winter and summer is here. The days are neither cold nor hot and there is no better time to re-evaluate your physical and mental wellbeing. Spring is a time for renewal. Here are a few ways to do just that: Get Your Physical Activity Up If you have been hibernating during the winter months, it is time to get out there and work towards your summer body. There are so many positives associated with increasing your activity levels. These include reducing the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes, lowering your blood pressure, improving your mood, reducing stress,etc. In a study by the University of British Columbia, it was found that regular aerobic exercise improves brain function. Essentially, it increases the size of the hippocampus, the brain area involved in verbal memory and learning. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days of the week. Walk, swim, dance � whatever tickles your fancy. You may even consider taking up a new sport this spring. Boost Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake When you are perpetually on the go, it can be easy for your diet and nutrition to slip. During winter, in particular, we tend to eat heavy meals and often indulge in comfort foods. Well, spring is a time for new beginnings, so why not focus on getting your diet in check over the coming months. The key to eating well is to have a balanced diet, with a variety of nutritious foods from each of the five food groups. Plan to eat fruits and vegetables every time you sit down for a meal. You will be doing your body a big favor when it comes to disease prevention and you will more likely get the nutrients you need for fuel. Keep easy snacks with you like bananas, apples, and baby carrots to munch between meals as well. If you do nothing else, at least aim to increase your vegetable intake this spring. Nurture your mental health Taking care of your mental health is as important as taking care of your physical self. Start by getting enough sleep. This will help improve mood, concentration and performance at work or school. Adults should aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, while teenagers can afford up to 10 hours a night. Take time to enjoy your soul food. Whatever it is you love doing, whether it be reading or playing the guitar, dedicate some time each week this spring to doing just that. Lastly, connect with others. Spend time with friends and family and people who help boost your spirits. You may even like to try some new activities this spring to form new connections. You could volunteer. Start a new hobby. Join a club. Try a new sport. Get More Bang for Your Nutritional Buck Make every bite count. We all know that whole grains have more health benefits than refined grains, but we suggest taking it a step further by incorporating ancient grains. Consider nutrition-rich breads, such as our seven Ancient Grains or Max Omega, replacing white rice with quinoa, and substituting millet for oatmeal. Ancient grains contain loads of essential vitamins, particularly B vitamins, minerals like magnesium and potassium. You will feel fuller faster and longer, and reap the nutritional rewards to boot. Sleep More Sleep is not an optional part of the healthy living tips. Everyone knows that rest is important.You need to ensure that you get eight at least a minimum of eight hours a day. Sleep is critical to your immune system metabolism memory, and overall vital functions. Schedule enough time to get enough sleep and your healthy body will thank you. Cut out bad habits Spring is the perfect time to say goodbye to bad habits like smoking. If you have been procrastinating about quitting, the biggest motivator should be that it isone of the leading preventable cause of death and disease in around the world. If you feel the urge to cave in, go for a long walk or meet up with friends and socialize. Besides, walking is a form of mild exercise too. Make sure to book any annual check-ups you have been putting off. Maybe you have not had your cholesterol or blood pressure checked in years? Perhaps you have procrastinated about booking in for a pap smear or a sexual health check. Schedule an appointment and get your health and body in shape. Lastly, Laughing and smiling are one of those healthy living tips you will really enjoy. Make sure you have fun in your life in order to feel like a healthy, well-rounded individual on a daily basis. Living a healthy life can be a challenge, but with goals in place, you can reach your achievements, and feel great this spring.

Sources: www.threebakers.com
www.bluffroadmedical.com.au