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It’s never too late to start looking into habits and strategies that can boost your health. With 2020 rolling around, you’ll find that the time is just right to make some New Year resolutions that can help you adopt healthier habits. In all probability, you may have already made similar resolutions in the past. However, if you’re like most people, you might have found it tough to stick with your resolves as the year progressed.

This time around, you can avoid that mistake by starting with small and doable goals. So, if you’re interested in learning more about how to improve your health, here are 5 ways in which you can do this in the next decade.

1. Get your body moving
   If you’re really keen on learning how to improve your health, this is one of the best places to begin your journey. Get your body moving by incorporating some form of exercise into your daily routine. If you’re an early riser, make time for a 30-minute brisk walk each morning. Alternatively, if you get off work early, you could exercise for an hour before your dinner. Join a Zumba class or take a dance course. Or, if your schedule doesn’t leave space for any of these activities, take a 5-minute break after each hour of work, so you can break out of your sedentary lifestyle.
    
2. Eat home-cooked meals
   Granted, a home-cooked meal need not always be healthier than eating out. However, if you make it a habit to cook your own meals, you’ll become more aware of the ingredients you use to make the food you put into your body. By contrast, when you eat packaged foods or buy your meals at a restaurant, you cannot really fathom the exact ingredients used to make the fare. Additionally, research also shows that cooking your food at home has been linked with higher energy levels and better mental health. This is another reason to focus on meal-planning during the weekends, so you can eat a majority of your regular meals at home.
    
3. Take some time to unwind
   Taking some time to unwind is considered another essential aspect of learning how to increase your health. You might need some time each day to relax, so you can lessen the stress of everyday life. Being stressed out can lead to an increase in the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. An excess of cortisol in the body can lead to high blood pressure and weight gain. In extreme cases, stress can even cause a stroke. So, try and make de-stressing a part of your everyday routine by practicing habits like mindful breathing and meditation.
    
4. Set your sleep cycle right
   Adults need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to remain in good health. Unfortunately, with an increasingly busy lifestyle taking over most of the day, a significant percentage of adults do not get the quantity or quality of sleep needed to remain healthy in the long run. You can put an end to this toxic habit by going to bed a bit earlier each night. Even starting off with as few as 15 minutes can be a great way to boost your health in the long run. By setting your sleep cycle right, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and even diabetes.
    
5. Include fruits and vegetables in your diet
   Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of various vitamins and minerals needed to keep your body healthy. Many of these foods are also rich in dietary fiber, which is vital for good gut health. Seeing that fruits and vegetables have so many benefits to offer, it’s important that you include them in your diet. A great way to tweak your food plan to include these healthy bits is to replace processed snacks with bits of fruits or diced vegetables. Not only are they generally lower in calories than processed items, but they’re also incredibly filling, so you can rest assured that your hunger pangs will be taken care of.

A final word
In addition to these tips about how to increase your health and well-being, you also need to look into the financial aspects associated with health and healthcare. To secure your future, it’s advisable that you invest in health insurance when you’re young and fit. This way, you can enjoy lower premiums. Another essential cover to invest in a life insurance plan or a term insurance policy. These insurance covers can be a safety net that protects the future of your health and your family’s financial well-being. You can learn more about Term Insurance by browsing the website for the various Term Plans offered by PNB MetLife.

Disclaimer: 
The aforesaid article presents the view of an independent writer who is an expert on financial and insurance matters. PNB MetLife India Insurance Co. Ltd. doesn’t influence or support views of the writer of the article in any way. The article is informative in nature and PNB MetLife and/ or the writer of the article shall not be responsible for any direct/ indirect loss or liability or medical complications incurred by the reader for taking any decisions based on the contents and information given in article. Please consult your financial advisor/ insurance advisor/ health advisor before making any decision.

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