HEALTH | 5 cheap and easy ways to improve your health

Amidst today’s challenges, focusing on our health emerges as paramount. There’s no need to splurge on pricey immunity boosters, vitamins, or elaborate wellness concoctions. Instead, here are five straightforward and budget-friendly tips to fortify your immune system and elevate your overall vitality, enabling you to enjoy a healthy and dynamic life not just in the winter months but throughout your entire lifespan. By integrating these suggestions into your daily regimen, you not only support good health but also decelerate the aging process and reinforce your body’s resilience against an array of illnesses and conditions.

Picture yourself in your 60s, 70s, or even 80s, sporting smooth, unwrinkled skin, living life to the fullest without relying on medications for issues like hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol. This vision can materialize through a few simple steps towards a healthier version of yourself. I’m thrilled to unveil the transformative practices that have profoundly impacted my own life, shielding both myself and my partner from illness. Embracing these affordable and straightforward strategies empowers you to take charge of your health and well-being. They don’t demand extravagant expenditures or intricate routines but rather encourage gradual changes that yield substantial benefits. Together, let’s embark on a journey towards improved health and a brighter future.

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Juicing

Immunity shots are popular and effective, but can cost way too much especially if you take one every day. I have a solution for you. Make your own! You will need a juicer. Most of us have one by now. If you don’t, then you can get one for about a few bucks. It will be worth it in the long run. A slow masticating juicer is best since it does not produce any heat. This is where the term “coldpress” comes from. Heat can destroy enzymes and nutrients in our juice. This is why cold press juices are king, but any juice is better than no juice so just get your hands on a juicer if a masticating one is not in your budget. For the immunity shots you will need:

– A handful of fresh turmeric

– 2 -Lemons

– 2 -Oranges

– A handful of ginger

– A pinch of black pepper

Juice everything and store in a mason jar. Take a shot everyday. The black pepper helps with absorption of the curcumin in the turmeric. Not only is this shot going to boost your immune system, you will be reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s since studies show that curcumin can protect the brain against dementia and Alzheimer’s. Juicing greens and adding ginger and turmeric is also effective. I do both! 

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Fasting

Fasting is an excellent way to improve your health. Modern culture suggests we need to eat three meals and snacks every day, but this constant eating is not good for our bodies. It prevents our systems from getting the rest they need, causing blood sugar levels to fluctuate wildly. Fasting helps reset our bodies by allowing them time to recover without the constant intake of food.

One of the key benefits of fasting is its ability to improve insulin resistance, which can prevent diabetes. Additionally, fasting can improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cancer and cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Fasting also slows down the aging process by activating DNA repair genes and reducing inflammation. Numerous studies support these claims.

Furthermore, fasting aids in weight loss by significantly reducing calorie intake. I personally lost 30 pounds by fasting 17 hours a day. This schedule worked well for me because I was busy with work and didn’t want to take breaks to eat. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise—I felt better and looked better. After researching the benefits of fasting, I was convinced and made it a permanent part of my lifestyle.

For those interested in trying fasting, I recommend starting slowly and gradually increasing the fasting duration. My husband and I now do 24-hour fasts every other day and a 48-hour fast once a month. It may sound extreme, but with time, it becomes a manageable routine as your body adapts.

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Eat Healthy

Cutting out refined sugar and processed foods not only improves your health but also helps fight off illnesses. A balanced diet rich in healthy fruits and vegetables supplies your body with essential nutrients to build a robust immune system, enhancing overall health. Leafy green vegetables, in particular, provide phytonutrients that help combat cancer and other diseases like Parkinson’s and heart disease.

Incorporating fasting into your routine can further support these benefits. Fasting reduces the time available for consuming junk food and diminishes cravings for unhealthy options. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods and integrating fasting, you can create a powerful combination for better health and disease prevention.

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Drink Water

Water is essential to staying healthy. We are made of mostly water. Every cell in our body needs water to function. We can go weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. Water plays a crucial role in our health. Drinking water flushes out toxins and prevents a host of ailments like kidney stones, fatigue, hypertension and digestive issues. Alkaline water is the best choice. It balances the ph in our bodies which will help prevent diseases and build a stronger immune system. It is recommended for men to drink about 4 liters and women drink 3 liters of water per day. A good rule of thumb is for your urine to be clear or almost clear. That is the best indicator that you are hydrated. 

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Exercise

Exercise is a powerful weapon against various ailments. It can aid in weight loss, reduce your risk of heart disease, manage blood sugar and insulin levels as well as manage depression and anxiety. Exercise keeps us young by building muscle and shedding fat which in turn causes us to look and feel better. I worked at the post office for 3 months as a mail carrier. The main reason I wanted to work at the post office was because I knew I had to walk at least 10 miles a day whether I felt like it or not, and I did! This is the same job that caused me to fast for 17 hours. This job was a godsend because it really did transform my body and the way I eat. I built a lot of muscle in my legs and glutes and shed quite a bit of fat along with fasting. I felt amazing and didn’t want to gain the weight back so I started to work out at home by doing the elliptical and incorporating strength and weight training. At 42, people keep saying that I look better than I did when I was in my 20s. That says a lot! Make sure to add protein to your diet to help with building muscle. It’s best to steer clear of animal protein and opt for plant based protein instead. Quinoa and black beans are a great substitute. 

Everything I have written about in this article my husband and I are doing in our personal life. It has really transformed our life in just a few short months. Before you do any of this, make sure to put God first and ask him to give you the strength you need to carry out these goals.

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

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