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Body Care: Why You Should Take Care Of Your Body and Your Health

By , About.com Guide

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If your health fails, it can overshadow everything else that’s going on in your life. From relatively minor health issues such as aches and pains, lethargy, and indigestion to major health problems that can threaten your existence, health can really impact happiness and stress levels. Making a commitment to taking on healthier habits this year can have a far-reaching payoff: you’ll feel better in everything you do. Here are a few healthy habits that carry a big impact:
  • Eat A Helthy Diet For The Right Reasons: Rather than eating right for the promise of looking better in your jeans, you should make a commitment to eating foods that will boost your energy level and keep your system running smoothly. This is because what you eat can not only impact your short-term and long-term health, it can affect your stress levels. If you're hungry ur malnourished, you may be more emotionally reactive to stressors, or may not have the reserves to handle what comes up as efficiently as you would if you were operating on a full stomach of healthy food. Watching what you eat can be a stress management tool as well as a health preserver.
  • Make Sleep A Priority: Make a commitment to get enough sleep at night. If you haven't gotten adequate sleep, you may be less productive, less mentally sharp, and otherwise more prone to the effects of stress. Carve out a full eight hours, avoid caffeine after 2pm, and adopt a calming technique such as meditation, and let your body restore itself each night. You’ll feel better all day.
  • Watch What You Put Into Your Body: Avoid putting unhealthy substances into your body; nicotine, excess alcohol, and even excessive caffeine can take a toll on your health in the long run, but also make you feel lousy overall in your day-to-day life. Find healthier ways to manage stress, and you'll enjoy double health and stress management benefits!

Not sure which stress relievers would work best for you? This Personality Test can help!

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