A Healthy Outside Starts from the Inside

Life is short. Leading a healthy lifestyle by eating clean is an easy way to take control and maximize your well-being.

You owe it to yourself to fuel your brain and body properly, so here are five steps to create a successful healthy lifestyle:

1. Formulate your week. It’s important to start the week off right. You should make a habit of planning your meals for the week every Sunday. For those of you who are signing up for Arbonne 30 Days to Healthy Day living with me, I will be adding you unto the Group Chat where all the magic happens. You will get a grocery list from Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Costco, etc. Jump-start your metabolism and stabilize your blood-sugar levels with Arbonne Essentials. When you value the close connection between your stomach and your mind, you make the most of each day. The gift of life is short and fleeting. Try the Arbonne 30 Days to Healthy Living today!

2. Say "NO" to refined sugars and processed foods. Certain foods are toxic to your brain. Try to avoid foods containing high levels of white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. Diets low in sugar have been shown to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a peptide responsible for the creation of new neurons. BDNF causes neurons to connect and combine and plays a critical role in neuroplasticity.Refined sugars will give you a quick boost of energy, but they’ll quickly send your blood sugar on a roller coaster --hence the burger, potato chips, ice cream and cookies cravings all at the same time. When your blood sugar drops, your adrenal glands release stress hormones like cortisol. Your performance will suffer. You’ll be more irate in conversations, your relationships will suffer, and you won’t be able to make the right decisions that your team trusts you to make. 

3. Omega-3 fatty acids should be included on your daily meals and snacks. Nuts and seeds, including flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts, are your friends and partners. Nuts are known to be heart-protective and contain many antioxidants. Walnuts are especially health-promoting and are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower heart disease risk and reduce total cholesterol and LDL (aka bad cholesterol). Ultimately, omega-3s help to stabilize your adrenal hormones and prevent them from rising too high, especially when you’re stressed. They are a powerful antidote against stress. 

4. Refrain from caffeine and alcohol. It’s natural to crave caffeinated foods such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate, but it’s important to recognize that these foods can harm your overall well-being. Caffeine stimulates the production of cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone and causes anxiety. You should also think about when and if to consume alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and a sedative and alters the neurotransmitters in your brain. It may be tempting to grab a couple of beers or glasses of wine after a hard day, but try not to do this in excess, as your performance might take a nosedive. When you’re stressed, you’re more likely to give in to urges and impulses. Unfortunately, the effects can result in long-term harm and addiction. It’s best to avoid these temptations when you’re experiencing high levels of stress. 

5. Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is a must and we often fail to understand the importance of it. Experts say one should at least consume at least -ounce glasses of water per day. Make sure you drink enough water and keep taking sips here and there.

If your water intake has been less, this might increase your visit to the loo. Water is the best medicine and can cure tons of problems. Start your day with a glass of water and end with it. 

I understand for the longest time you might have thought, that a healthy lifestyle comes at a cost. But you might be surprised to see the amount of money you will save once you organize your lifestyle and set things in motion. Incorporating these tips might take a while but the positive impact it will have is something that will transform your mind, body, and soul. 

AnnaZielsdorf.arbonne.com