Written by Mathews McGarry in Health & Fitness on the 18th April 2019

Although this is a topic that keeps popping up every year and might sound like a cliché, it’s still as important as ever. The fact is that the hectic modern lifestyle doesn’t leave us much free time. This is why many people take shortcuts and opt for convenience rather than health. However, the consequences of such neglect can be quite serious, which is why you should pay attention to your health no matter how busy you might be. With that in mind, here are a few tips that should help you stay healthy in the modern world of today.

Drink more water 

Probably the most common advice but still necessary to be said – drink more water. Water is the healthiest and most underrated drink out there. Its benefits range from making you look younger to helping you lose weight by speeding up your metabolism. And yet, most people don’t drink enough water, and that’s mostly because they simply forget to do so. Therefore, if needed, install an application that can help you keep track of your drinking habits, buy a nice water bottle, start slowly, and you might even be surprised at how quickly this will become a healthy habit.

Take more breaks 

Taking a break might be the last thing you want to do if you have a busy schedule, but have no doubt that it would benefit you. Short breaks can boost your productivity levels, relieve back pain, and improve your concentration. Also, research has shown that many short breaks can be more beneficial than fewer long breaks, as you’d get a chance to freshen up without losing track of your work. You can use those breaks to drink some water, catch up with your colleagues, or simply listen to that song that’s been stuck in your head since the day before. 

Choose healthier snacks 

The usual sugary snacks might give you that instant energy rush, but they are very addictive. One cookie will always lead to another, and before you know it, you’ll be questioning all of your life’s choices above an empty box of cookies. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with eating sweets from time-to-time in smaller amounts, but they shouldn’t be your everyday snack. Instead, you should opt for fruit, popcorn, or nuts. They are much healthier, and they won’t add to your weight – as long as you don’t combine them with anything sugary.

Consider the shakes 

Speaking of snacks, they cannot and should not replace entire meals. If you are in a hurry and don’t have the time to prepare anything healthy, you can always opt for tasty meal replacement shakes. They are meant to provide you with everything a decent meal would, you can have them on the go, and they can even help you cut calories and lose weight faster. You should still pay attention to the ingredients, though – some shakes may contain sugar and corn syrup, so make sure to check before you drink. Of course, they should still not replace every meal, but they can come in handy during those hectic work periods. 

Mind your posture 

If your job requires you to work on a computer for longer periods of time, you should mind your posture while working. Your computer screen should be at eye level, and your keyboard should be at approximately the same height as your elbows. While typing, your wrists shouldn’t bend. Moreover, you should get an ergonomically correct chair, so you can be comfortable while working. If you tend to use your phone more than your computer, invest in a quality headset so you don’t have to cradle the phone in your neck all the time.

Cut down on the caffeine 

Most of us start our workday with a nice cup of coffee, and for many people, it’s more of a ritual than an actual need. However, the body can still get used to that ritual, which is why many people get cranky if denied their morning coffee. True, coffee does have some health benefits, but only when taken in moderate amounts. Nevertheless, there are many healthier alternatives that can still provide you with that energy boost you need in the morning, like lemon water and different kinds of tea. So, don’t hesitate to try some of the alternatives – you might be pleasantly surprised.  

Exercise in any way you can 

There really is no need to talk about all the benefits of exercising – and they are both physical and emotional. Therefore, try to add some exercise to your routine. For example, you can replace your morning coffee with a walk in the park, as it’s a great way to start the day and raise your concentration levels. You can also embrace eco-friendly means of transport and ride a bicycle to work. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more fun and engaging but not as frequent, you can opt for dance classes or Pilates.

De-stress 

In this day and age, stress has become almost normal. Whether it’s because of work, personal life, health, or something else, most of us have been stressed out. Moreover, too much stress can harm your immune system, which means that you’d be more susceptible to illnesses. It can also make you crave unhealthy snacks, and it can damage your memory and concentration. In other words, you should do everything you can to reduce the amount of stress you feel. For example, you should try to get enough sleep every night, and you could also try practising mindfulness.

Educate yourself 

If you want to make sure you understand what it takes to be healthy, it could help to pursue further education. It might sound difficult, but for example, these MSN online programs are designed to make it easier to get a higher education. You won’t have to go back to school or interrupt your life, and you can even learn and develop this education into a career if you wanted to. Opportunities like this don’t come around too often, so if it sounds interesting to you; you should at least check it out.

Your health is the one thing you should never neglect, no matter how busy you are. After all, if your health deteriorates, everything else is guaranteed to suffer as well. Many people take that for granted and don’t really do anything about it until they start noticing the consequences. But, you know what they say, prevention is better than cure. So, don’t allow your health to deteriorate just because of your modern lifestyle. Consider the listed tips, apply them to your lifestyle, and you can rest assured that every aspect of it will improve.

We provide tips such as Drink more water, Choose healthier snacks, Mind your posture, Cut down on the caffeine, and De-stress in this guide to Staying Healthy in the Modern World.