Routines usually become adopted out of necessity or convenience, and once established, most people don’t actively think about them. In fact, our routines often become “autopilot” long after we’ve established them.
But would you believe that our routines can have a significant impact on our health?
The fact is, the motions and activities that you perform on a daily basis condition your mind and body. And if you’re not adopting healthy actions and practices into your routine, your health can suffer over time.
Some of our most basic routines might seem mundane, or not all that important. But believe it or not, each action you take during the day directly affects your overall health in some way, whether physically or mentally.
Thankfully, wonderful health benefits can be gained by adopting a few simple practices into your daily routine. Here, we’ll explore a few of these benefits.
Cleansing Routines
You might have heard of a “deep” cleansing routine. But these are mostly associated with spa treatments and facial cleansing.
The fact is, a cleansing routine is fundamental for your overall health, and this is true for many reasons. But this type of cleansing refers to the whole body, not just the face.
For example, studies have shown that the average woman owns approximately 40 different cosmetic products. In addition to this, it’s estimated that a woman wears between 4 to 10 pounds of lipstick over a lifetime, while literally ingesting nearly 4 pounds. That’s a lot of makeup.
When you use a variety of cosmetics, these are all absorbed into the body to some degree, and many of these chemical compounds can be harmful to your health. In fact, consider a substance like talcum powder. Talcum powders have been linked to ovarian cancer in women, and are now the subject of lawsuits across the country.
To help maintain your health, ensure that you cleanse your body of these products on a daily basis, and if possible, switch to natural alternatives for cosmetics.
Hot Baths
Most people today take showers when cleaning the body, and this is usually due to convenience and time constraints considering most people shower for less than 15 minutes on average. But the benefits of a hot bath can be traced back to ancient times.
We take baths as babies and as small children, but not many people continue taking baths once they reach adolescence. But the truth is, those who don’t are missing out on some great health benefits.
Soaking in a tub of hot water has a natural way of relieving tension in the body. Studies have also shown that soaking in hot water has a calming effect on the mind. And in addition to this, a hot bath also opens the pores and relaxes the skin, making it soft and supple.
Hot baths can make you feel revitalized and relaxed, and this is a great practice to adopt after a long stressful workday.
Taking a Walk
Walking routines seem so simple. In fact, they’re so simple that many fitness gurus are skeptical about the health benefits of taking a walk. But studies have shown that taking a walk as part of a daily routine does have numerous health benefits, both physically and mentally.
Walking exercises the basic muscles that all of us upright, bipedal humans use every single day. And the act of walking also helps with respiratory health, mental focus, and situational awareness.
Walking out in the natural world can add even more benefits, especially if walking around lush vegetation and trees. The oxygen-rich environment that natural growth provides invigorates the lungs and provides us with natural, fresh air that our bodies need.
So if you want to feel a little bit better and reduce any daily stress, taking a walk after work can be a good and simple practice to adopt.
Our health is vital for being able to live a full life. As such, any activity you can incorporate into your daily routine as a health benefit will be well worth your time.
