Drop your bad habits.
According to Marla Ahlgrimm, drinking, smoking, or engaging in recreational drug use puts you at a greater risk of many diseases, including lung cancer and liver cirrhosis. Further, these bad habits may leave you less inclined to make other healthy decisions. In general, it’s smart to stop smoking altogether and limit alcohol to an occasional drink with friends.
Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Everybody wants a sun-kissed glow. But, Marla Ahlgrimm says this can cause damage to your skin, especially for women that don’t wear sunscreen. Unless you can stick to the shade, plan to stay indoors when the sun is at its peak, which is between 10 AM and 2 PM in most parts of the country.
Give yourself at least 20 minutes of activity each day.
Physical activity does more than help you whittle down your waist. Marla Ahlgrimm says that exercise, even if it’s just a long walk, will keep your muscles strong and help enhance your ability to balance. Plus, getting your heart rate up is good for your circulatory system.
Sleep well each night.
If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought your eyes looked a bit tired, you’ve noticed one side-effect of poor sleep. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that sleep not only promotes mental alertness, but also plays a role in your physical appearance. Every part of your body regenerates when you sleep, so making this a priority can help you look and feel your very best.
