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5 Healthy Lifestyle Hacks To Feel Better Without Changing Your Routine

10th November 2022

10th November 2022

By Beth Shelper

It’s no secret that the latest trends and advice on socials, branding, marketing and even in our personal lives from friends and colleagues means that we are being hit left right and centre by advice to improve health and wellness through both nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits (yes, we’re guilty as charged, granted).

And whilst we understand this advice is helpful and vital and strive to be a voice of advice and a foundation of knowledge, we know that quite frankly, life can get busy.

As a result, sometimes healthy habits slip, and whilst we all have the best intentions when it comes to positively improving quality of life through health and wellness, sometimes, when life gets on top of us; deadlines are looming and work gets a little bit hectic, these good intentions and healthy habits slip: it’s just the way it is.

Because of this, we wanted to provide some quick and simple ways to implement feel good habits on a day-to-day basis without having to drastically adjust your routine. We’ve rounded up our best health hacks and healthy living techniques that we feel can be implemented quickly (and with minimal effort) that include healthy swaps, ultimate health tips and more.

  1. Start implementing some low or no alcohol days

We don’t have to be the ones to tell you that alcohol is bad for you, so in any capacity, reducing or halting your intake of the stuff is a great step forward in improving your overall health. Without going into a lecture, the long term health risks of excessive alcohol consumption include:

Off the back of this, if you are someone that enjoys winding down after a day of work with a glass of wine or a pint enjoyable (who doesn’t), our first health hack is for you.

Low or no alcohol days (and weeks) are a great way of gradually reducing your alcohol intake and implementing healthy lifestyle habits.

Granted, whilst the weather is getting better this one might be a bit harder to implement, but recent years has seen the release of some pretty great alcohol-free alternatives, making this goal a little bit easier – as you still benefit from the taste (but save on cost). Win-win!

  1. Fill gaps in your day with mindfulness and stretching

Waiting for the kettle to boil? Stretch your limbs. Cooking your dinner? Listen to a mindfulness podcast. Driving home? Mindfulness. Watching the TV? Stretch.

Are you starting to see a pattern here? Because we definitely are.

There are a lot of points in the day that we can fill with little extra healthy habits to make a real difference to our mindset.

Whilst its true that not every minute of everyday needs to be productive (resting is part of a healthy lifestyle, too), if you notice a slot of time in which a mindfulness or healthy habit can be implemented, it’s definitely worth doing.

  1. Swap your caffeinated drinks for The Detox Booster

Tea, energy drinks, coffee, even some of our favourite fizzy drinks: you name it, they’ve got caffeine in.

A lot of it, at that.

Whilst we’re all for advocating the benefits that caffeine can offer (we're suggesting that you give up the caffeine for good - don’t worry, your coffee is safe), it might be beneficial to replace that fourth caffeinated drink of the day to a serving of The Detox Booster instead. Packed with natural ingredients to boost your energy, health and overall wellbeing, The Detox Booster is a great way to get all the good stuff.

Oh, and it's vegan, too. What's not to love?

  1. Ditch the social scrolling for a good old book

Let’s be honest, we’re all partial to a before-bed social media scroll. Whilst it can be beneficial to be in the know around what everyone is doing, what the latest is, and keep up with your favourite influencers…. Is this the best use of your time? And is this habit meaning that you’re not switching off before bed? Sounds like revenge bedtime procrastination, to us. Two key things to consider.

It doesn’t have to be every day, but a couple of times a week, consider ditching the scroll in favour of a book, meditation or screen-less activity.

Any habit that reduces screen time, particularly after a day at the office, is one worth implementing.

  1. Walk that last stretch

With the average commute sitting at just under an hour a day for the majority of us in the UK, we wholeheartedly understand that walking or even cycling to work is just not an option for some people.

What is possible though, is reducing your amount of time on public transport, or in the car, by getting off at the stop before yours, or parking at the opposite side of the car park, or even a road or two away from the office. Sometimes when it comes to getting your steps in, you need to be proactive and think outside of the box – and this is a great way to do so! Every step counts.

Summary

Leading a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to mean that you dedicate hours a day to the endeavour. Implement small changes everyday for big impact, from nutrition to exercise and everything in between, and you’ll start to notice a difference.

For more inspiration when it comes to healthy living, habits and exercise routines, make sure to explore Insight, follow us on socials @liveinnermost and stay consistent!

Need Expert Advice?

Other Insights

Gut Health Tests
Let's talk about gut health tests – you know, those trendy kits that promise to analyze the bacteria in your gut and give you ALL the answers. Seems like everywhere you turn these days, someone's pushing them on you, asking you to mail off your poo for a pricey test. I teamed up with one of Innermost's resident nutritionists, Sophie Gastman, to dig into the truth behind these tests First things first, what are gut health tests? Essentially, they’re marketed as a way to assess the balance of bacteria in your gut. All you have to do is collect a stool sample, ship it off, and wait for your results to roll in. Companies who offer these tests will most likely offer to sell you a ‘'personalised’' probiotic or prebiotic based on your results, along with some ‘'personalised'’ (but what definitely looks like generic) dietary and lifestyle recommendations. It all sounds simple enough, but here's where things get murky. Sophie has been looking into the validity of these tests, and she’s a bit skeptical.  "HERE'S WHY" Accuracy: These tests only give you a snapshot of your gut microbiome at one point in time. Your gut bacteria can change in as little as 24 hours based on what you eat and how you live, so by the time you get your results, they might already be outdated. Plus, different methods to study the same samples can also give wildly different results. So, if you sent your sample off to two different companies, one might say you have a lot of one type of bacteria, while the other says it’s barely there. Lack of Evidence: Despite years of research, we're still in the dark about which gut microbes are linked to specific health outcomes. So, any test claiming to have all the answers is just too good to be true. For example, scientific studies suggest that knowing what’s in your gut might not actually help with understanding or treating diseases like IBS. Lack of Actionable Insights: Even if these tests could accurately assess your gut, the recommendations they provide are often based on shaky science. Plus, they're so complex that even the experts struggle to make sense of them. Lack of Knowledge: Let's face it, most of us aren't microbiologists. So when these tests dump a ton of complicated info in our laps, it's more likely to leave us scratching our heads than feeling empowered. To make matters worse, these tests can cost a lot of money. We think rather than blowing your hard-earned cash on a gut health test, why not focus on some tried-and-true strategies to support your gut? Cue Sophie with her top six tips to better gut health Diet: Fill your plate with a rainbow of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes to keep your gut happy. Aim for 30 plant points a week (a point for every new plant you eat) - this number seems to be the sweet spot for making the most difference to your gut health. Chill: Stress can wreak havoc on your gut, so find ways to unwind, whether it's through meditation, exercise, or just shooting the breeze with a friend. Hydrate: Keep the water flowing to keep things moving smoothly in your digestive system. Sleep: A good night's sleep does wonders for your gut, so aim for 7-9 hours of shut-eye each night. Ferment: Add some fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut to your diet for a boost of gut-friendly probiotics. Supplement: Innermost's The Digest Capsules contain prebiotics and probiotics to keep your gut bacteria thriving, along with digestive enzymes and ginger. Combine them with all the points mentioned above to help your gut bacteria thrive. So there you have it – supporting your gut health doesn't have to be complicated or break the bank. Just focus on the basics and make some small lifestyle tweaks, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier gut for a fraction of the price, and without the need to mail your poo off to some complete stranger. Read more
The Real Deal on Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)
Imagine a gadget that gives you real-time insights into how your body reacts to every meal, promising to boost your athletic performance and improve your eating habits. Sounds amazing, right? But is there enough scientific research to back these claims? I recently sat down with one of Innermost's resident nutritionists, Isabelle Spellissy, to cut through the hype and see what CGMs are really all about and what they’ve actually been proven to achieve.  "What Are CGMs?" Continuous Glucose Monitors track your blood sugar levels around the clock. They use a small sensor typically attached to your arm, and allow you to check your glucose levels on your phone. This tech provides info on how your glucose levels fluctuate based on what you eat, your exercise routines, stress, and sleep patterns.For diabetics, CGMs are a game-changer, helping them maintain their glucose levels within a target range and improving their health outcomes. But now, manufacturers are marketing CGMs to everyone, not just diabetics, with promises of optimising blood sugar for peak physical and mental performance. This trend, pushed by personalised nutrition companies, has sparked a surge in interest from non-diabetics who are eager to try them out. "The Promises of CGMs" For those without diabetes, CGMs are touted with several shiny benefits, all aimed at boosting health, wellness, and performance: Metabolic Health Monitoring: Get a grip on how food, exercise, and lifestyle choices impact your glucose levels. Nutritional Guidance: See how different foods affect you, helping you choose meals that keep your blood sugar stable. Stress and Sleep Insights: Understand how stress and sleep affect your glucose levels, helping you manage both better. Early Detection of Insulin Sensitivity Issues: Spot early signs of insulin resistance or prediabetes, giving you a chance to make changes before it’s too late. "The Reality Check" While CGMs sound amazing, there are some serious caveats: Cost: These devices aren’t cheap, and if you’re not diabetic, insurance probably won’t cover them. Lack of Clinical Guidelines: No clear or established guidelines exist for non-diabetics using CGMs, which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Psychological Impact: Constant monitoring can make you anxious and might lead to obsessive behaviors and excessive self-monitoring. Overemphasis on Glucose Levels: Fixating on glucose can distract from other important health factors like overall nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being. Potential for Misuse: Misreading the data can lead to unhealthy eating habits or extreme diets based on short-term glucose responses. Limited Proven Benefits: The clinical benefits of CGMs are still being studied, with research currently indicating that there isn’t enough evidence to support significant health benefits.  "What Can You Do?" Instead of parting with your hard earned cash and jumping on the CGM bandwagon, here are some proven alternative strategies to boost your health: Dietary Modifications: Eat whole, nutrient-rich foods. Balance your meals with carbs, proteins, and fats to maintain steady energy levels. Meal Routine and Portion Control: Stick to a meal schedule and watch your portion sizes to avoid energy crashes. Keep Tracking: Use a food journal or app to track what you eat and how it affects you. This can help to make informed choices about your food intake and adjust as needed. Regular Exercise: Mix in cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises to improve your fitness and mood. Gut Health: Eat fiber-rich and fermented foods to support your gut. Consider prebiotics and probiotics for an extra boost. Feel free to check out The Digest Capsules. Hydration: Drink plenty of water. Proper hydration is essential for overall health, energy levels, cognitive function, and athletic performance. We’ve got something coming soon that could help with that. Watch this space. By focusing on these holistic lifestyle changes, you can enhance your diet, performance, gut health, mood, and stress levels without needing a CGM. To wrap it up, the buzz around CGMs for non-diabetics is growing, and we might see more benefits and guidelines with further research. But for now, if you’re living a healthy lifestyle, you probably don’t need one of these gadgets. Some people are excited about their potential, but it’s best to approach CGMs cautiously and consult healthcare professionals to make sure you’re using them safely and effectively. Stay smart and keep it simple. References: Beck, R. W., Riddlesworth, T., Ruedy, K., Ahmann, A., Haller, S., Kruger, D. F., ... & Bergenstal, R. M. (2017). Continuous glucose monitoring versus usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving multiple daily insulin injections: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 167(6), 365-374. Basu, A., Dube, S., & Basu, R. (2019). Continuous glucose monitoring: a powerful tool for the non-diabetic population. Expert Review of Medical Devices, 16(11), 903-913. Pettus, J. H., Edelman, S. V., & Price, D. A. (2020). How Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Use Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data and Make Insulin Dosing Decisions. Endocrine Practice, 26(6), 625-630. Read more