To live a healthy and nature-aligned life, we need to trust the gifts of nature – rather than overproducing food, drinks, and entertainment.
Here are 7 simple things we can do to live more healthfully:
1. Water!
Drink water – at least one liter a day. Everyone needs a different amount depending on their body. Each organism responds differently to how much water it can absorb, but we all need it. Water gives life and health. Drinking more water heals and keeps our bodies in excellent shape. Drinking more than one liter per day is also beneficial, though for some it's a matter of habit. Of course, we shouldn’t overdo it. Besides water, herbal teas or fresh fruit and vegetable juices are also great. It's best to avoid artificial juices, soft drinks, and nitrate-filled energy drinks.
2. Breakfast
The most important meal of the day! Let’s take the advice of successful people around the world and say it plainly: a solid, hearty breakfast gives us strength and energy. That doesn’t mean it has to be full of heavy pastries. You can have all kinds of fruit – bananas and melons are especially filling. Soaked nuts (in tea with honey instead of milk) or dried fruit are also great options.
3. Mindful eating
To gain the full energy of our food, it’s best to devote ourselves fully to the act of eating. That means not reading books, flipping through magazines, or watching TV while we eat. These distractions pull our minds away from the food, and we end up feeling hungry again shortly after. That’s one reason eating in front of a screen is considered unhealthy – it dulls awareness. Without mindful presence, we tend to eat automatically and overeat.
4. Sun-powered nourishment
Try exercises for drawing energy from the sun – there are various kinds. At their core, these involve gazing at the first rays of the morning sun, which bring vitality, pleasure, and soul-level nourishment. Some who have practiced this say they no longer feel hungry afterward. If these techniques feel challenging, just start by enjoying the sunlight. A few minutes a day can help the body produce vitamin D and give your mind a moment of peace.
5. Physical activity
Let’s stay active. Exercise is one of the most important habits we mustn’t leave out of our daily lives. Recent data shows fewer and fewer people in Europe manage to exercise even an hour a day compared to previous years. Regardless of the numbers, movement means health and vitality for the body and mind. Running in the park, biking, kayaking, rafting, rollerblading, skateboarding, and other activities help us value our free time. Even if you’re very busy, you can work activity into your routine by biking or walking to work.
6. Think about nature
Every one of our actions impacts the natural world – the trash we throw away each week, the water we use, the electricity we consume, the food we buy. In today’s globalized world, each person can make a difference through how they live. For example, don’t let the water run needlessly, unplug electronics when not in use, buy only what you really need in terms of food and clothes, try to reduce your waste, and recycle.
7. Make time for yourself and your family
There’s nothing more important than being with our families and being devoted to one another – sharing in both joys and struggles. We must make enough time for our loved ones and be grateful for their presence in our lives. And just as importantly, we must also carve out time for ourselves each day.
