Life is hectic, and remembering to make healthy choices can take a backseat to all other activities. Especially when unhealthy options are often more convenient. However, it’s important to stop and look at ways to enhance one’s mind, body, and spirit in order to lead a healthier, and ultimately, happier life. Some of the things that can be done are small and take less time than one may think. With that in mind, here are some suggestions to get started:

1.Move around more

People don’t have to run a marathon or swim a mile to benefit the body. Less than 5% of adults engage in 30 minutes of physical activity of any kind each day. Simple solutions are things like getting up from a desk now and then to walk down the hall or doing a couple of jumping jacks in the bathroom. Moving the body, in some way, relieves stress and improves energy.

2. Being proactive about health care

Regular doctor and dental visits will proactively take care of any problems that may worsen with time. Employers lose upwards of $300 billion a year in medical costs and lost hours of work due to employee stress, so staying on top of both physical and mental health needs benefits everyone.

3. Make a plan

To live a healthier life means to understand what may or may not be working in it now. It’s good to evaluate what’s going on in the day-to-day and address what changes may need to be made in order for it to be more productive and better for that person.

4. Keep a healthy diet

People overlook eating right and keeping hydrated when they’re busy. 40% of total daily caloric intake comes from empty calories of sugars and solid fats in children ages 2-18 and also makes up a large portion of an adult’s daily diet. The health issues that can arise from such an unhealthy diet are staggering. Replacing sugary drinks like soda with healthier choices like spring water and eliminating junk in favour of more nutritious foods, like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains will make for a healthier, happier person.

5. Lower and manage stress levels

Stress can cause a myriad of physical, mental, and emotional health problems. It’s important to do things that can help lower stress, like exercising, go out with friends and family, and engaging in points 6 and 7 below, as often as possible.

6. Challenge the mind, body, and spirit

Reading, writing, walking, exploring—all of these things keep a person alert, refreshed, and feeling good.

7. Take time to re-centre

Regardless of the beliefs someone has, this is a call to quiet the mind once a day and slow things down to get back in touch with the core. It can be as simple as a 5-minute break, sitting in the sun and watching the day, or as elaborate as a planned meditation. Those little moments of decompression will alleviate a lot of stress and relax every aspect of that person.

8. Drink more water

Yes, water has health benefits for the body, but even more than that, it feels good. A nice cold glass of healthy spring water is refreshing and rejuvenating. It quenches thirst and fills the body with nutrients that will have been lost through the day that can lead to fatigue. The number 1 cause of midday loss of energy is dehydration. So, drinking a big glass of cold water will refresh the body and the mind.