Too busy for your own health? Well this time, you’ve got no excuse! While going to the gym and preparing healthy, homemade meals take time (and lots of effort), here are five quick alternatives that can give your health a boost – all in just a minute! 

 

1. Drink a glass of water in the morning. 

60% of our body is made up of water, and it’s an essential nutrient that we depend on for a lot of different reasons. Staying hydrated is vital because we tend to lose water regularly, and this is even more true overnight since we’re not able to replenish fluids during sleep, and even wake up to secrete even more fluids when we urinate! Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning is recommended: beginning your day with some water will ensure you have a great, healthy, and hydrated start! 

 

2. Breathe. 

You inhale and exhale without having to think about it, but did you know that you can be more mindful about breathing not just to get some much needed oxygen, but also to destress? This is where deep breathing comes in! It’s a great response to stress with benefits like a reduced risk of high blood pressure and an improved immune system. Harvard Health has a short and sweet article here to help you get started – and yes, you can do this in a minute or less. 

 

3. Stand up. 

Does your work require you to sit behind a desk or in front of a computer all day with little to no reprieve? Except for scheduled breaks and the occasional trip to the loo, you’re pretty much stuck – but again, no excuses! A study from the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that standing for six hours a day instead of sitting doesn’t just prevent weight gain – it can cause some weight loss too! So if you’ve got a minute, stand up: you don’t have to go very far from your desk. Do a little stretching and help yourself shed some pounds. 

 

4. Drink some tea. 

Afternoon tea just got better thanks to a study proving that habitually drinking tea is linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as all-cause mortality. This is on top of the many benefits you’re already getting just for enjoying a nice, warm cup: tea-drinking can boost the immune system and even ward off cancer!  

 

5. Wash your hands – but don’t forget to dry them too!

As children, we’ve been taught to wash our hands thoroughly to avoid the spread of germs. But as much as washing them, drying them is important, too! This is because bacteria transmission is more likely on wet skin than in a dry one. So next time, make sure to dry your hands up properly right after washing them!

 

Taking care of yourself is key to a long and happy life. Start with these simple steps, small as they are, and slowly branch out! In Tiny things add up, and in no time, these small steps can become huge ones that will help you pay more attention to your health and well being!