Guest Blog: Head-to-Toe Health Strategies You Can Easily Adopt for a Healthier You by Jennifer McGregor

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Health is among the many things we can be thankful for, but good health doesn’t just come naturally. It takes effort. The good news is that giving your body some TLC is a lot easier than you think. In fact, you don’t need to be a health nut or a fitness guru to lead a healthy lifestyle. The following strategies will put you on the right track to a healthier you from head to toe.

Prioritize Mental Health

The need for mental well-being continues to gain more attention, underscoring that mental health is just as important as physical health. Our mental state affects everything, from our work and home life to our finances to our relationships, which means it should be a priority for everyone. To promote wellness all the time, there are various strategies you can implement to make prioritizing mental health a part of your daily routine. This includes exercise, meditation, journaling, socialization, and scheduling time for yourself on your to-do list. Even something as simple as a walk outside can have positive impacts on your mood and emotions that can last almost seven hours! Thankfully, Madison offers plenty of gorgeous trails where you can walk, bike, or hike, so grab a friend, leash up your dog, or head out alone for a moment of solitude.

Take Care of Your Smile

You weren’t a fan of the dentist as a kid and you probably aren’t now, but this isn’t a reason to skip out on your visits altogether. Good oral hygiene is essential to prevent cavities and gum disease, so make sure you are brushing, flossing, and rinsing at least twice a day. For best results, use an electric toothbrush, though a manual toothbrushes is great too as long as you use short, circular strokes. To promote strong oral health, be sure to visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups. If you don’t already have a dentist or are in the market for a new one, a simple online search can point you toward reputable dentists in the Madison area.


Don’t Neglect Your Largest Supporter – Your Bones
When you think about taking care of your body, chances are you forget about the 206 bones that make up your skeletal system and provide structure, support, and protection. You produce bone mass into your 20s and 30s, after which bones start to become more fragile, setting the stage for breaks, fractures, and osteoporosis in your golden years. Support your bone health by eating/drinking plenty of calcium and vitamin D, and doing weight-bearing exercises to build bone mass.


Fuel Your Body the Right Way
If you’re like most people, you started a diet and fell off the wagon shortly after, vowing to try it again another time. Dieting can be helpful for weight loss and health, but it’s important to be wary of fad diets that could do more harm than good. Seeing results from healthy eating requires commitment. If you think dieting will help put you on the path toward better health, talk to your doctor about creating an eating plan that suits your needs and lifestyle. If a diet isn’t something you’re interested in, even small changes such as cutting down on fast food, watching portion sizes, and adding more fruits and vegetables to your plate can make a considerable difference in overall health.


Find an Exercise Routine That Sticks
Just like eating healthy, if you don’t keep things interesting, regular exercise becomes a hard habit to maintain. Hitting the treadmill at the gym three or four times a week can quickly turn monotonous, giving you more of a reason to skip. Shaking things up is the best approach, and it can help you ward off a plateau if you’re aiming for weight loss. In addition to your regular exercise routine, add some fun classes such as pole dancing, Iyra, or yoga. Keep yourself moving forward by setting attainable goals. Perhaps you’d like to complete a certain number of reps without stopping for a breather, reach a weight loss goal, or train to run a 5K.


Head-to-toe health sounds like a lot of work. However, it’s really all about small changes and habits that make a huge difference. The suggestions above are a great start, putting you on the path to healthy living.