Are you up for a healthy lifestyle? 5 Tips to get started

During the last two years, we have been overwhelmed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected, sometimes seriously, the health of population. After this difficult time, we are more aware than ever about the need of leading a healthy lifestyle. Today we are not going to discover anything new, but it is good to remember some essential tips to take care of ourselves inside and out.

Moving lengthens life

Televisions, computers, mobile phones, tablets… We are continuously surrounded by screens, which invite us to stay on the couch, in front of them, consuming series and films. It’s okay, from time-to-time, to enjoy a blanket and popcorn plan, but not as a routine in daily life.

We, humans, are increasingly more sedentary, adding to the previous problems explained, lack of time, excessive use of the car or the number of hours we spend sitting in front of a computer.

Nevertheless, with small changes in our day to day, we will manage to maintain the active metabolism and reach the end of the day, feeling better. What can you do?

• Get up 20 minutes early, park the car a little further from the office and walk that stretch.
• Climb the stairs instead of using the elevator.
• Every hour in front of the computer, get up, stretch and move for 5 minutes.
• Practice 30-60 minutes of sport, 3-5 times a week.

Find your favourite sport

Playing sports, several days a week, not only involves motivation but also discipline. We know that you see how other people come to gyms on a regular basis and you would like to have enough willpower to do the same. We will reveal you a secret: the desire is also trained. How?

1. Find a sport you like. If you’ve never been out running, don’t pretend to be hyper-motivated the first few days. It’ll be easier if you find something fun.
2. Do not pretend to start suddenly to practice your favourite activity each 5 days a week. Start with a realistic frequency, which won’t frustrate you because you don’t keep it. When you had that routine, you will be able to increase your training days.
3. Never compare yourself with other people. Each one has its own rhythm and evolution; Rome was not built in one day. You’ll get results, but you need to be patient.

4. Discover how sport will brighten your life and enjoy!

Meditation and breathing against stress

According to the investigations carried out by Aegon, about health and lifestyle, in the year 2020, 57.7% of Spanish population suffered recurrent stress. The frenetic pace of our day-to-day life, makes that we do not stop to enjoy about little things and overlook what is really important.

Dedicating a few minutes of your day to meditation, and becoming aware of the vital moment in which you are and where you want to go, will help you developing your routine with a lower level of stress, being more productive and enjoying more of yours.

In case you had a high moment of stress or find yourself in a situation of high pressure or be aware that stressful moments are coming, practice marked breathing. For just one minute and, with the help of a guide (there are many mobile applications for this), breathe… and lower your pulsations.

Introduce the mediterranean diet into your life

Probably you’ve heard more than once “what we are is what we eat” and it is truth. The food with which we nourish our body, directly influence into our energy and health. Consuming occasionally fried food, fast food, and ultra-processed aliments, is fine; but we cannot take it as a habit, because it is counterproductive to the body throughout our life.

Mediterranean diet promotes a wide consumption of vegetables and fruit and, to a lesser extent, meats such as chicken or pork. It is recommended to take daily 5 pieces of fruit, accompany the main meals with a higher quantity of vegetables or legumes and prioritize the intaking of fish, compared to that of meat.

EVOO, the protagonist in the kitchen

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the real protagonist of the Mediterranean Diet. It is the main source of fats and essential elements of each dish cooked. Among its many properties, the EVOO:

• Strengthens the bones.
• Helps on cancer prevention.
• Contains high benefits for skin and hair.
• Protects the cardiovascular system.

Shop in your neighborhood

Consuming local products means, more quality products for a lower price as well as a more sustainable environment. The neighbourhood shops, where we can buy from fruit to meat, select their raw material from national and nearby suppliers. In the long term, filling the fridge with these foods will be like a life insurance for your body.

Balance your life

Throughout this post, we have talked about actions we can incorporate into our day-to-day life, to get a healthier lifestyle. Once you start getting them into practice, don’t get frustrated if you don’t always keep them.

Every little step adds up to develop a healthier lifestyle, but it is also important to treat yourself from time to time. Don’t feel blamed if one day you stay on the couch without moving or you eat a pizza. The key for balance is:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Disconnect on weekends.
• Do sports, but don’t force yourself. It can backfire and cause injury.
• Laugh and spend time with family and friends.
• Reward yourself every time you get a new achievement.

From Esencia Califal we want to help you lead a healthier lifestyle, so we have Premium Quality EVOOs, Aromatized EVOOs (which will make your palate enjoy unique flavours) and EVOO Enriched with Omega 3 and Vitamin E or with Hydroxytyrosol which will help you to take care of your organism from the base of Mediterranean Diet.