*None of the below information is medical advice. Nothing in this post is meant to take the place of medical advice from a doctor or health professional. I am not a doctor, I am only sharing my personal experience, personal research I have done and information I have inferred. Please see my disclaimer for more information.*
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. There are plenty of free and simple ways to boost your well-being. Incorporating daily habits like getting morning sunlight, practicing gratefulness, or opening windows can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health. By making small, consistent changes, you can build a free healthy lifestyle that doesn’t require a big budget. Here are some practical, cost-free tips to help you start living a healthier life today.
Get Morning Sunlight
Sunlight is essential to a healthy lifestyle and a 100% free healthy lifestyle tip. This is opposite to what we have been told, but the sun plays a vital role in the health of our bodies. The morning sun is essential to help wake our bodies, produce hormones, start functions, and aid with sleep. In babies and adults, morning sunlight exposure has been show to help set circadian rhythms, aiding in sleep. The sunlight can also help signal our bodies to repair and restore. Think about how nature uses the sun, for life and rhythms, we need to use it the same way. Don’t discredit how life-giving and helpful this simple practice can be for your mood, energy, and sleep. Find a few ways to safely and creatively get morning sunlight in the list below.
- Step out onto your patio, balcony or open a window right after waking, don’t wear sunscreen or sunglasses but do not look directly into the light
- Eat breakfast outside, wear a sun hat if desired
- Park in the driveway instead of the garage so you can stop for a few minutes to get sunlight before getting into the car
- Go for a short walk first thing in the morning
- Step out into the yard for sunlight and grounding
Practice Grounding
Grounding is a free healthy lifestyle tip that is just as easy as getting sunlight. Grounding, also known as earthing, is a practice that involves connecting directly with the Earth’s surface, by walking barefoot on grass, soil, or sand, or using grounding systems that link to the Earth. The Earth has a subtle, natural electrical charge that can have a positive effect on the body, neutralizing free radicals, reducing stress, and promoting calm. Studies are also showing it to help reduce inflammation, improve sleep, boost mood, improve wound healing, and enhance overall well-being by rebalancing the body’s electrical charge. I find it to be a simple, free, and effective way to reconnect with nature and alleviate symptoms of modern-day stress. Learn ways to start grounding below.
- Walk barefoot in the grass or dirt, make sure to stay clear of yards and parks where pesticides and herbicides are sprayed
- Take a barefoot walk on the beach or by a lake
- Climb barefoot on rocks
- Lie to take a nap on the ground
Go for a Walk Outside
Walking is a simple, cost-free way to boost your overall health while soaking up some sunshine. If you’re feeling adventurous, try grounding by walking barefoot on grass or sand. As a low-impact exercise, walking offers benefits for your immune system, heart, and emotional well-being. It increases oxygen flow to your brain and boosts feel-good hormones like serotonin, which help improve your mood and reduce stress. And as we all know, lowering stress is key to a healthier lifestyle. Give this easy, free healthy lifestyle tip a try and stay consistent to enjoy the full benefits!
Open Windows Often
Opening the windows in your home is a simple and free way to boost indoor air quality. Just five minutes of fresh air daily can help circulate outdoor air inside while pushing indoor air out. If possible, open windows on opposite sides of your house to allow air to flow more freely, further refreshing and improving air quality. This practice can also help reduce indoor dust and mold particles while increasing oxygen levels, contributing to better health and overall well-being. However, if you live in an area with high levels of air pollution, dust, or safety concerns, it may be better to invest in a high-quality air purifier instead.
Get More Quality Sleep by Limiting Blue Light Exposure at Night
Getting quality sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle, and it’s a simple, free healthy lifestyle tip for well-being. Our eyes help us understand the time of day by processing light and our surroundings, preparing us for what’s ahead. However, blue light from screens tricks our bodies into thinking it’s time to be awake, which can be especially problematic at night. This isn’t just an issue for adults—it can negatively affect children’s sleep too, so it’s a good idea to put away devices like iPads after dinner. Additionally, blue light interferes with melatonin production, a key hormone for sleep. When melatonin is blocked, it can lead to poor sleep quality or even insomnia. Although it may be tough to break the habit of using your phone or watching TV before bed, here are a few alternatives you can try.
- Practice a hobby like baking bread or drawing
- Read a book, magazine or newspaper
- Play a board game or do a puzzle
- Take an epsom salt bath
- Go for a walk or do yoga
- Meal prep for the next day
- Go to bed early
Think Well and Practice Mindfulness
Your thoughts can have a significant impact on both your mental and physical health. If you’re looking to make just one change to kickstart your health journey, focus on this free and simple lifestyle tip: cultivating a positive mindset. Thinking well and practicing mindfulness are widely recognized in the scientific community for supporting overall well-being—and they are also emphasized in scripture. Philippians 4:8-9 is a favorite of mine because it provides a clear guide on how to think in a way that reduces anxiety and brings peace. It says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” In Matthew 6, we’re reminded, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or drink, nor about your body, what you will wear… Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to your life?” How beautiful that the Bible offers us wisdom to ease anxiety and worry. Below, I’ve shared some practical ways to think well and practice mindfulness.
- Memorize scripture to combat negative thoughts and remind you of what is true
- Listen to worship music
- Stop and look around you, notice the sun, birds and all of creation
- Put your phone down and focus on the events happening in front of you
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