Focus on Your Metabolic Health

Your body is a fine tuned machine and able to do a whole lot of healing by itself when you give it what it needs. You might have heard that the medical experts got a better understanding of the fact that gut health is directly related to our immune system. Did you know that metabolic health also plays a key role in how our body functions and that it helps allow our body to heal itself, by itself?

Is your metabolism out of whack? Maybe you are just interested in keeping your metabolism at its best to support that fine tuned machine of yours and make sure it is running smoothly? You can make a few simple tweaks to your lifestyle that will improve your metabolic health and overall wellbeing. 

Healthy metabolic balance comes from taking small steps across the board with better nutrition, hydration, exercise, stress management, mindfulness, and sleep. Each of these areas play an important role in your overall wellbeing and allows your body to function optimally. 

1. Step away from the fad diets
Good gut health and metabolic balance come from eating a rainbow of colors, keeping portions in check, adding more natural sources of fiber, including plant-based foods, healthy fats, high-quality protein, and carbs with a lower glycemic index. In other words, you do not have to starve yourself or eat bland foods to give your body what it needs to operate at its best. 

2. Water is the circle of life
Ideally you should drink approximately half of your body weight in ounces. Appropriate water intake is incredibly important for your health. Fill that cup and drain it often. Repeat. If you feel bored with plain water, get an infuser so you can add fresh fruits for various refreshing flavors. 

2. Move your body
Heading to the gym isn't always feasible, but you can get a quick workout in anywhere. Experts say you should include about 20 minutes per day, so find a yoga routine on your favourite app or even on YouTube. Go for a jog around the block. I believe that a balance between cardio, strength, stretching and meditation works best. There are so many ways to break a sweat and get in extra steps. Be curious and find new ways to keep moving that work for you. 

3. Deal with your stress head-on
Unfortunately, stress is part of our lives, and we can’t just get rid of it. What we can do is explore the best ways to deal with it. 
When you feel stressed you can ask yourself if there is anything you can do about it or if that specific circumstance is totally out of your control. In situations where you have no control, you might want to try meditation, breathing, journaling or talking to a friend. If you do have control, I suggest you do the same thing but instead of looking for peace and acceptance you can brainstorm solutions to the source of your stress and hopefully you will get clarity on how to best move forward. A breathing exercise can be enough to calm you down and make you feel more centered  

4. Do not sacrifice your sleep
We so often burn the candle at both ends, and we may not realize how much it affects our health. It's not just about being tired and cranky, it is about the fact that a lack of sleep is not allowing our bodies to recharge and  therefore affecting our metabolic health and immune system. Make sure you get the sleep you need every night, with the best-case scenario being no less than 7 hours. If you want to find out how you can improve the quality of your sleep read more here.

7. Kick bad habits for good
Now you are armed with a few ideas on how to improve your metabolic and overall health and you might begin to think about the bad habits that made it into your life. 
If it makes you feel better, we all have bad habits. These bad habits vary from person to person but how we get rid of them is pretty much the same for all of us. 
First you have to acknowledge them. How else can you address them? Once you identify your unwelcome habits you can pin point where in your daily routine they show up, and then you can get to work and change that routine. Changing habits and creating routines are my favourite topics. I love to explore new ways to create healthier routines with my clients. I encourage you to be curious when it comes to looking closer at your bad habits. Look at them from different angles and ask yourself how you can change the routine where these habits show up and create new, healthier routines. 
If you find yourself reaching for a glass of wine every night out of pure habit, take a champagne glass and fill it with sparkling flavored water. Maybe you can create a nightly hot tea routine to change things up?

You can see how by improving your metabolic health, you’ll reduce your chances for chronic illnesses, you'll have more energy, and you'll start to feel better overall. By prioritizing your wellbeing you are giving your body the best chance to heal itself, by itself. What a gift. 

I hope you found these tips helpful. If you have any questions, need help implementing new habits, or would like to talk about anything else related to your health and wellness journey,  feel free to book a complimentary coaching session or join my free Vibrant Health Power Community on Facebook.