Essential Lifestyle Changes That Will Impact Your Body’s Health

Spring is approaching, and that means it’s becoming the perfect time to start implementing new lifestyle changes that can help you look and feel your best. With that being said, it’s understandably tough to crack old habits and adopt new ones, but the impact these factors can have on your overall health and wellness is enormous. Here is our extensive guide to changing your life and opening the door to new beneficial habits.

1. Start with a healthy diet

Many men will admit that one of the hardest resolutions to come to terms with is fixing up their diet, however being in touch with your nutritional side can provide you with rushes of high energy, exceptional gut health, and the overall feeling of comfortability. As this winter comes to a close, a time that’s easier to be a homebody and feast on unhealthy foods, there’s never been a better time to start seeking healthy alternatives that you can actually enjoy.

Leafy greens

If you’re looking to improve your green thumb and are looking more towards natural vitamins, try incorporating some greens into your everyday meals. Try switching to a salad when you go to restaurants, and focus on items like spinach, lettuce, and broccoli that provide essential vitamins to your organs.

Walnuts

If you find yourself as a constant snacker, look into walnuts and other kinds of nuts as an easy fix to junk food snacking and can be find at different vending machines. Walnuts are full of omega-3 oils and healthy fats that can help the elasticity in your skin and hair.

Fruit

Although it may come as no surprise, fruits are full of vitamins and minerals that will help keep your body regulating and provide you with ingredients needed to produce energy. Some of our favorites include strawberries and blueberries because they provide you with vitamins, antioxidants, and calcium. Get creative and throw them into your yogurt or milkshakes.

Dark chocolate

Last but not least, for the men who have a sweet tooth, research has shown that chocolate isn’t so bad for you…as long as you eat it in moderation, that is. It turns out chocolate is full of antioxidants that aid with cardiovascular health and even boost the chemicals in your brain as well. Look for dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao, because it contains exceptional amounts of fiber, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are all great for your overall health.

2. Try going to the gym

One habit that can become a great addition to your day-to-day life is implementing a workout into your daily routine. Whether it be early in the morning or heading to the gym after work, introducing fitness into your health radar will help you out in more ways than one. Starting with the obvious, it will have you looking fit and attractive. Growing your muscles through weight training and extensive programs can help you turn into a whole new person. If this wasn’t enough to convince you, spending time at the gym will significantly improve your cardiovascular health and keep your heart pumping healthily as well.

Finding a gym, workout routine, and certain exercises you enjoy can be tough, but experimenting with different programs can help you get the results that you’re looking for. If you’re extremely dedicated to making it a mission, start setting goals for yourself and even going to the gym with friends or family. Turning fitness into a challenge is a great way to improve your mentality on the matter and can improve your results in no time.

If you’re still unsure of where to begin, check out our guide on how to lose body fat and start feeling your best here.

3. Shine a light on skin health

In terms of physical appearance and looking youthful, introducing or tweaking a skincare routine is essential, especially if you’re constantly on-the-go and neglect the opportunity. Many men don’t see the importance of taking care of your skin. However, it’s important to note that a regular skincare routine is the best way to maintain a youthful and glimmering appearance. If you’re not sure of where to start, think of the routine as a three-step process, starting with cleansing. It’s important to make sure you are using a face cleanser that works with your type of skin.

For example, men that struggle with dry skin, especially coming out of the winter months, it should be in your best interest to look into a men’s face wash and even do some research about which products can help hydrate your face and clean your pores thoroughly. For men with oilier skin, think about looking into water-based cleansers that work both ways, cleaning and providing good oils to your face.

Moving on to step two, exfoliation becomes key. While many men don’t make it this far in their skincare regimen, it’s extremely important and can be what saves you from looking tired and stressed. The importance of exfoliation stems from removing dead skin cells from the surface of your face and gives you that natural uplift that keeps you looking healthy. Add this process twice a week, and you’ll be looking golden in no time.

For the final step, you’ll want to focus on moisturizing and hydrating. A huge focus of healthy skin is to keep your face absorbed with vital nutrients and free of oils that can lead to acne and rashes. Again, depending on your skin type, you should seek a moisturizer that fits best. For dry skin, look for products with the most nutrients possible in order to allow the liquids to get as deep into your pores. On the other end of the spectrum, for those with oily skin, you should still be moisturizing even though you have more liquids on your face. It’s just in a different way. For you guys, water-based products that aren’t filled with artificial substances are the way to go again. This will help protect against your face looking shiny and greasy.

In terms of odds and ends with skincare, be cognizant of habits like shaving and showering. If you find yourself shaving regularly, be sure you’re consistent with your upkeep with what you have. Maintaining any razors and tools that you use will help in making sure you’re getting a clean shave. It can be so easy to introduce bacteria to your blades and on your face, so be diligent on how you use and store your products. The same goes for your shower habits. Be sure to stay away from using the same soap on your face and body. Not only for cleanliness purposes, but soaps are also often made for particular purposes, and a sensitive face can react much differently than you expect.

4. Be smart sexually

Sexual health is extremely important, and if you’re sexually active with other men, you should be cautious and upfront about these topics. Open communication with your sexual partners is a great first step in order to ensure you’re practicing safe sex and cut down your risk of potential hazards. This means being proactive in taking precautionary measures and doing your due diligence ahead of time, get tested, and use preventive actions.

Start with making sure you get tested regularly and get screenings at your doctor’s office. Sexually transmitted diseases are no joke, and if you are sexually active, you should be constantly getting tested to avoid passing a disease onto a sexual partner. Doctors say you should be tested at least once a year for HIV, but there’s nothing wrong with making a habit out of it.

When it comes to actual sex, make sure you’re making use of condoms and lubricants in order to prevent STDs. Condoms are essential for protecting against the transmission of disease through skin-to-skin contact, while lubricants can help prevent condoms from breaking. Depending on your sexual tendencies as well, be aware of certain situations. If alcohol and drugs usually lead to poor decision making, refrain from using these, and be smarter with your actions.

If you’re really looking to make an impact on your lifestyle and wellbeing, there’s never been a better time to turn a new page in your life’s book. Now it’s time to give your plan a go!