Those in the know have a pretty good understanding of what we need to do to be at our best, healthwise. Yet while most people try to do some things that will give their body and mind what they need, there’s still a lot of hidden aspects that can have a big impact on our overall health. It’s not just how much you weigh or your body shape that counts! There’s a lot that goes on under the surface that plays a role, too. Below, we take a look at a few things that can lead to better overall health.

Your Diet

You probably already know that eating too many McDonald’s meals aren’t going to be good for you. But even home cooking comes with a wide range of what’s good for you, and what’s not. For starters, just eating fruit and veg every now and again isn’t going to do you a lot of good. Indeed, even eating a lot of vegetables might not have a positive impact, if you’re not buying fresh goods. Elsewhere, keep in mind how much sugar you’re intaking: scientists now believe it’s much worse for us than previously thought.

Your Lack of Sleep

You might think that you’re able to function at full capacity even if you’re only sleeping for a few hours, but this probably is not the case. If you’re not getting a full night’s sleep regularly, you’ll be greatly increasing your chances of suffering from heart-related conditions, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It can also make you gain weight, feel more depressed, and a whole bunch of other negative side effects. Finding the best mattress is key to sleeping well, as is ensuring that you have a pre-bed routine that makes it easier to hit the land of nod. More than just being healthier, you’ll also have much more energy, too.

Those Stressful Days

Now, life can be tough. It’s never going to be all plain sailing. Some days you’ll just want to forget. But if you’re having too many of those days, then you’ll have a buildup of stress, and make no mistake: stress is the enemy of a healthy mind and body! It can wreak havoc on your body, not to mention your mind. If you’re feeling under pressure, find healthy ways to calm yourself down.

Your Sedentary Lifestyle

There’s no denying that we’re all a lot more sedentary than we should be. Sitting down too much – as in the case of most office workers – means we’re not using our bodies as much as we should be. To have a healthy body, we need to have an active lifestyle! Find ways to incorporate more movement into your day. Even parking further away from the office and taking the stairs will be a good start.

Staying Indoors

Finally, remember to get outdoors. Staying indoors too much increases your chance of depression. Even fifteen minutes spent in nature is enough to give our brain a boost. And hey, it’s also fun!