At certain times of the year, especially during seasonal changes, after a stressful period or following the holiday season, you may feel like giving your body a fresh start. Tiredness, low energy, sluggish digestion, a feeling of heaviness… Stop! There is no need for a complicated method to look after yourself day to day: here are 5 simple tips to adopt. They focus on hydration, what you put on your plate, physical activity, cutting back on excess and sleep.
Tip No. 1: stay well hydrated
A balanced lifestyle starts with drinking, as water is essential for the body to function properly and staying well hydrated can help you feel your best throughout the day. Drinking regularly is also a simple habit to add to a broader wellbeing routine. Hydration should mainly come from water, but you can also vary your drinks with other options:
- some lemon water first thing in the morning, a refreshing way to rehydrate after a night’s sleep;
- homemade infused waters, to add variety;
- herbal teas, with different flavours to suit your preferences (meadowsweet, cherry stems, mouse-ear hawkweed, orthosiphon, artichoke, lemon balm, black radish, liquorice…), an enjoyable way to drink more;
- green tea, a hot drink to enjoy throughout the day;
- fruit and/or vegetable juices (including green juices), for a change from water;
- plant-based drinks, such as those in our range or drinks made with guarana, green coffee, kola or ash.
Concentrated green tea, guarana and cola, one dose a day with a meal
- Green tea features in the formula
- Guarana helps reduce tiredness, while cola helps you feel more energetic
- With matcha, the whole green tea leaf
Tip No. 2: eat fruit and vegetables
To take care of your diet and everyday comfort, nothing beats plant-based foods. Fruit and vegetables have the advantage of providing water, fibre (useful when putting together balanced meals) and essential micronutrients, while generally being low in calories. So do not hesitate to include them at every meal, raw or cooked. For a varied plate, focus on:
- foods that provide fibre, such as kiwi, pulses, leeks, apples and avocados;
- colourful fruit and vegetables, which provide vitamins A and C, including red and orange foods such as carrots, grapefruit, peppers and sweet potatoes (see also our beautiful skin tips);
- green vegetables, which are generally low in calories and high in water, such as asparagus, cucumber, courgettes, lettuce and artichokes…;
- foods that provide potassium, such as spinach, fennel and seaweed, as well as herbs and spices to add flavour to your meals (parsley, coriander, cumin, ginger…).
Tip No. 3: get moving!
Moving regularly is a key part of a balanced lifestyle. Here’s why:
- Exercise leads to sweating, which mainly helps regulate body temperature. Remember to drink plenty afterwards.
- Physical activity also allows you to breathe deeply and get some fresh air, especially when done outdoors.
- Movement gets the whole body going and can help you feel more comfortable in your own skin. To extend this feeling of wellbeing, why not try self-massage at home?
- Exercise can also offer a break for your mind! Physical effort is also accompanied by the release of endorphins, which are often associated with a feeling of wellbeing and a brighter mood. The healthy tiredness that follows can also help you sleep well.
Tip No. 4: avoid excess
Adopting healthy habits is a good start, but it is also useful to limit behaviours that go against these positive changes… In particular, excessive consumption of:
- alcohol, which is high in calories and offers little nutritional value;
- tobacco, which is harmful overall;
- sugar, which is easy to consume in excess and can be difficult to cut back on;
- junk food in general, which is often high in sugar, salt and saturated fats;
- salt, excessive consumption of which is associated with high blood pressure.
Tip No. 5: sleep well
Why does sleep have such an important place in a balanced lifestyle? It is very simple: at night, many processes take place in the body. These include:
- the body’s rhythms partly align with the alternation of day and night, as if all the clocks were being reset. Certain hormones (insulin, prolactin, ghrelin, leptin) also follow this rhythm;
- night-time is also a time of recovery for the whole body;
- after a good night’s sleep, you generally feel more refreshed and less tired;
- finally, memory, alertness and mood all benefit from good-quality sleep.
Sleep therefore deserves its place in a wellbeing routine. To sleep well, simply:
- go to bed and wake up at regular times—the body is a creature of habit;
- eat a light dinner and leave enough time before bedtime;
- choose foods rich in tryptophan;
- stop using screens at least 2 hours before going to sleep;
- rest in a completely dark, cool, well-ventilated and quiet bedroom, in a clean bed and comfortable sleepwear.
Frequently asked questions
How can I take better care of my body?
No food or drink can purify the body on its own. Instead, adopt simple habits: drink enough, mainly water, and eat fruit and vegetables at every meal. Move regularly and limit alcohol, tobacco, sugar, salt and junk food. Make sure you get enough sleep, too. Each of these tips is detailed in its own section of the article.
What should I put on my plate every day?
A varied diet including fibre-rich fruit and vegetables, such as kiwi, apples and leeks, as well as green vegetables. See Tip No. 2 for the full list.
What should I drink every day?
Water should remain the basis; see Tip No. 1 for other ideas.
Why does sleep matter?
Night-time is a time of recovery for the body: after good-quality sleep, you generally feel more refreshed, and memory and alertness benefit too. See Tip No. 5 for practical advice.
Should I seek medical advice before changing my habits?
Ask your doctor or a medical professional for advice before changing your diet or consuming herbal products in several situations: if tiredness, digestive issues or any other discomfort persists, if you are taking medication, if you have a medical condition or if you are pregnant.
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Useful categories: Slimming Tips, Weight Management.
