Top 3 Natural Secrets to Peak Health: Sleep, Snack, and Sprint Your Way to Wellness

Control your lifestyle and you control your health. Three essential factors that influence your well-being are sleep, nutrition, and exercise, and they are all linked together. The quality of one directly impacts the quality of the others, meaning that when one of these areas declines, the repercussion can be felt in the others, leading to significant negative wellness effects.

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is so vital to health that a constant decrease in sleep has been connected to heart disease, depression, chronic pain, and other severe conditions. According to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, less than 70% of adults get enough sleep. Poor sleep is related to depression, work-related injuries, and weight gain.

To improve your sleep, try the following tips:

Consistently sleep and wake up at the same time
Do not consume sugar or caffeine after 6 p.m.
Do not exercise after 7 p.m.
Reduce your anxiety and stress levels
Do not read or watch TV in bed
Create a proper sleep space
Use sleep aids as needed.

The Role of Nutrition

A diet rich in nutrient-dense foods (fruits and vegetables), along with whole, fresh foods, can work wonders for our bodies and mental states. However, only 30% of Americans are at a healthy weight, and poor nutrition is linked to disease, depression, and inadequate sleep.

Maintaining a healthy diet is not just a matter of counting calories but about the quality and quantity of the food you consume. Eating at the wrong times and not paying attention to food labels can derail your health.

The Necessity of Physical Activity

Being active is essential to physical health, mental states, and overall quality of life. However, less than 45% of adults get the recommended 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily, and inactivity is tied to chronic disease, weight gain, and poor sleep.

There is a physical activity and level for every age and level of fitness. Options include running, aerobics, sports, yoga, walking, and biking.

The Solution

It can feel impossible to prioritize self-care and make time for sleep, exercise, and preparing healthy food in today’s fast-paced world. However, there is hope. A panel of 36 experts gathered to discuss how to make the healthy choice the easy choice, offering six pieces of advice:

Remember that small changes in sleep, activity, and nutrition can make a big difference in your health.
Challenge yourself weekly to gain a new healthy habit and break an old unhealthy one.
Create an environment around you that supports your weekly challenges.
Set and track your goals.
Ask for support from friends and family.
Use technology (fitness trackers, apps, and online tools) to motivate and support your efforts.

Ultimately, taking control of these three essential aspects of health will put you on the path to a better, healthier life.