11 Simple and Quick Health Hacks
We all want to be healthier, but not all of
us want to stick in miles of legwork to be healthier. We get it,
lifestyle changes are hard work and, with the rewards so far in the
distances, it can be easy to ask ourselves if it’s even worth the
effort. But, what if we could be healthier in no time at all? Would it
be worth it then? Of course it would be! All we need to do is follow
these instant health upgrades, and we’ll be on the road to healthy
living in no time at all.
1. Add a Dash of Cinnamon to Your Coffee
According to diabetes study, a mere half a
teaspoon of cinnamon a day can set your blood sugar, LDL cholesterol.
And triglyceride levels straight. Furthermore, if you swap out your
cream and sugar for cinnamon, you’ll be cutting back on at least 70-80
calories per 8-ounce serving. Don’t worry, your coffee will taste just
as good, if not better.
2. Turn up the Heat – on Your Lunch
Spicy food might make you sweat and cry, but make no mistake, the heat
does wonders for your body. A study found that capsaicin, the compound
in peppers that induces the spicy sensation, increases the calcium in
your body. There’s also a widely-held belief that capsaicin speeds up
weight loss via boosted metabolic function, but this is yet to be
proven.
3. Start Brushing Your Teeth with Coconut
Oil
Fluoride, artificial sweeteners, diethanolamine – yes, our everyday
toothpaste is full of potentially harmful ingredients. Swap your
toothpaste for coconut oil, which has all the same cleaning properties
as a normal tube of Colgate, but none of the harmful ingredients.
4. Have Sex
Getting busy has been proven to decrease stress, blood pressure, and the
chances of getting prostate cancer. So spark things up between the
sheets as often as possible.
5. Eat White-Fleshed Produce
We are always told to eat our fruit and
vegetables, but we are never told which ones. However, being selective
in what you eat can have huge effects. For example, eating white-fleshed
produce – apples, pears, cucumbers, and cauliflower – can, according to
the American Heart Association, cut your risk of a stroke by up to 10%.
6. Live by the 20-20-20 Rule
Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something that is
20 feet away. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists,
it’s a proven method for reducing eye strain – especially if you’re
glued to a screen for 8 hours each day.
7. Wash Your Hands
Look at the person to your left and then look at the person to your
right. One of them didn’t wash their hands after their last visit to the
bathroom. Yes, according to a study from the Bradley Corporation, only
66% of Americans wash their hands after going to the bathroom.
Considering the fact that the average bathroom contains 200,000 germs, a
sure fire way to stay healthier is to wash your hands.
8. Stand Up
If you’re chained to a desk for 8 hours a day, you should stand up for
one minute every half hour. Research suggests that doing this will slash
your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
9. Cut Back on the Ibuprofen
It’s second nature to reach for the
ibuprofen when you’re in pain, but you really shouldn’t as it has been
shown to increase the risk of a heart attack by up to 50%. If you’re in
pain and have no need to reduce inflammation, which is what ibuprofen
does, reach for acetaminophen instead (e.g. Tylenol).
10. Add Lemon to Your Water
Lemons are a great source of potassium nitrate, a nutrient that has been
proven to reduce high blood pressure and increase your body’s ability
to process calcium. It also helps to decrease your chances of getting
kidney stones.
11. Quit Smoking
This is easier said than done, we know. However, the first step
(throwing your packet in the nearest trash can – takes mere seconds and
it will immediately set you on the path to a healthier you.