7 Ways to Celebrate World Health Day
Each year on April 7th we celebrate World Health Day, a global health awareness day sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). This year’s theme is Building a Fairer, Healthier World. While World Health Day comes around once a year, we can all make taking care of our wellness the whole year round a significant goal. This isn’t easy when you’re busy or stressed but finding simple ways to look after your general health should be a top priority.
Working small changes into each day – ones that are good for your mind, body, and spirit – can be gradually introduced until they become healthy habits. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to improving your overall well-being.
So, in celebration of World Health Day, why not start right now? Pick up these 7 habits and head in a healthier direction:
- Rethink Your Drink: Juices, sodas, and sports drinks add empty calories to your daily intake. The solution? Swap those sugary drinks – yes, even the caffe lattes – for H20 and protein powder-based shakes or smoothies. Biochem’s superior tasting and clean sourced protein powders are nutritional supplements that are helpful for those of us who aren’t getting enough protein from whole foods or want a convenient way to take protein on-the-go.
2. Break A Sweat: Being active helps you stay fit and feel your best at every age. Getting 20 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days a week can enhance your mood and active lifestyle. According to The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the benefits of exercise, among others, include reducing occasional stress, and maintaining weight control. Health and fitness experts recommend participating in two types of exercise each week to achieve aerobic health and muscle strengthening. Aerobic activities can include brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, or swimming, for example. Muscle strengthening activities should be done twice a week and are designed to target the hips, legs, chest, back, arms, stomach, and shoulders.
3. Eat Well: You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “You are what you eat!” and the National Institute of Health suggests that what you eat can have an impact on your body’s health. Opt for fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and healthy proteins. This is where Biochem can help. Whether you choose our whey or plant protein powders, you can be assured that our revolutionary protein blends will help you meet your daily protein requirements. Finally, limit unhealthy foods like high-sugar snacks, processed foods, and adding salt to meals.
4. Beat Stress: The Harvard School of Public Health reports that, over time, stress can cause an unhealthy well-being. The good news? There are numerous ways to combat stress that offer big benefits to our bodies and minds. They include: Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, meditation or deep breathing techniques, good sleep hygiene, and practicing work-life balance, to name just a few.
5. Give Back: Volunteering allows you to give back to your community. It also keeps you active, helps you create and strengthen relationships, and provides a sense of connectedness and accomplishment. According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering affects one’s health quite positively: “From lowering stress to boosting self-confidence, research has shown that volunteering offers many health benefits.”
6. Indulge in Sleep: Lack of sleep can take its toll on your mind, body, and health. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you aren’t alone -- up to 1 in 3 Americans have difficulty falling and staying asleep. But rest easy because there are a variety of simple things you can do to help. Exercise in the morning or mid-afternoon, set up a dark, restful environment in your bedroom, limit use of cell phones, tablets, etc., up to one hour before bedtime, limit alcohol and caffeine consumption within 5 hours of bedtime, and have a set schedule for when you go to bed and when you rise.
7. Get Creative in The Kitchen: Protein powder is one of the best ways to get your protein in, especially if you’re not able to get a sufficient amount of it through your meals on a daily basis. Plus, with so many delicious protein powder options offered by Biochem, you can add it to almost anything, from breakfast to dessert! From Protein Packed Mini Blueberry Espresso Pancakes to a Mango Sunshine Smoothie Bowl to Meatballs On Leek & Winter Squash Mash, or Greek Yogurt Berry Ice Pops, these protein powder recipes will help you stay satisfied and energized!
