Drink water
Try and drink up to 8-10 glasses of water. Hydrate yourself first thing in the morning, drink water before meals and even drink a little water before sleeping. Water is great for flushing out toxins from our bodies.
Exercise
Regular exercise is essential for the heart, for our physical and mental well being and also for our mood. Choose exercises that you ENJOY. And do those regularly. A daily 20-minute walk in the morning would do wonders.
Eat proteins
Eat some protein with each meal. Go for fish and chicken, so slow on red meat. If you are a vegetarian, add tofu, protein bars and shakes and lentils to your diet.
So slow on carbohydrates; go for those with a low glycemic index
Avoid starchy carbs since they convert into sugar in the body very fast. Instead, consume carbs that have a low glycemic index (that is, they convert into sugar slower). There are enough sites giving you a detailed glycemic index table.
Eat vegetables and salads
Vegetables are low in carbs, high in fibre and have lots of micronutrients. Go for them!
Eat fruit and nuts
Eating fruit and nuts is essential; fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre. Nuts are a good source of essential fatty acids and proteins. However, both fruits (because they contain fructose) and nuts (because they are calorie-dense) must be had in moderation. And avoid fruit juices!
Eat smaller meals with snacks in between
Have 5-6 smaller meals a day than three gigantic ones! That will keep your metabolism functioning smoothly and will help in avoiding spikes in sugar levels in the body.
Eat lots of fibre
If your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lentils is high, you are doing okay on fibre. Add some isabgol (psyllium seed husks), if necessary. Fibre keeps your digestive system working smoothly.
Avoid stress
Life is getting more stressful. Be happy, laugh more. Surround yourself with happy people. Meditate. Get organised.
Sleep well
Optimal sleep is critical for being mentally agile. Figure out the hours of sleep that make you get up fresh. Sleep at the same time every night; get up at the same time every morning. Don’t take your problems to bed.
Visual Courtesy:http://www.flickr.com/photos/11919764@N06/
