You know that you're at your best when you eat healthy foods, exercise more, drink water and go to bed early. But those are just the cornerstones to having a healthy body.
If you want to optimize your health, consider adding one or all of these 12 body-boosting habits to get yourself to peak performance.
These 9 tips really do work, but if they seem a little strange and even counter-intuitive. Just go with it.
For better sleep: drink coffee.
A study in Japan found that it takes about 20 minutes for the effects of a cup of coffee to kick-in. Participants took a 20 minute power nap and reported feeling more alert when then awoke.
So, get the most of a good nap by drinking a cuppa before you snooze.
Stronger Teeth: Don't brush after you eat
Sure, the dentist tells you to brush after every meal, but they really ought to be specific. According to the former president of the Academy of General Dentistry, it's best to wait about 30-60 minutes after a meal before you brush your teeth.
Since acidic foods can soften tooth enamel, brushing immediately after a meal can erode your layer underneath your enamel. It's best to let the acids in your saliva do their work before taking a brush to your pearly whites.
Shrink A Size: Gain Weight
Well, muscle weight. Even though a pound of fat weighs the same as a pound of muscle, muscles take up less space. If you're afraid of bulking up with weightlifting, cut back on calories and add weight to your workout. You'll drop inches off your waistline.
To Eat less: Eat more
More substantial, that is. It sounds counter-productive, but we assure you, it's not. Rather than reaching for a "low-cal" snack bag of cookies or pretzels, grab an apple and some peanut butter. Snacks packed with carbs only serve to spike your blood sugar and leave you craving more.
Go for protein packed nut butter and a slice of fruit or some pieces of cheese. They'll get you full faster and keep you fuller longer.
Reduce bloat: Drink water
If you're high-fiber diet, you need to drink more water to work efficiently. Drinking more water also relieves bloating caused by dehydration. If you notice that you're feeling a little puffy, grab a glass of the good stuff.
Need to cool off? Drink something hot
Recent studies suggest that drinking a hot beverage will encourage your body to sweat. When it evaporates from your skin, you cool off naturally.
Tired? Exercise
Maybe all you want to do is lie down and close your eyes, but the fatigue you feel could be mood-based, rather than an actual lack of physical energy.
If you're getting enough rest, but feel tired, try 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise to get your heart pumping and the oxygen flowing more efficiently. You'll feel reinvigorated and ready to tackle anything with a clear mind.
Improve Your Relationship: Spend less time together
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in this case, it's true! According to Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love, time alone strengthens the connection you have to yourself.
Not only will you connect more deeply when you come together again with your partner, but you'll be able to work out problems more easily and have a deeper appreciation for one another.
Prevent illness: Ditch the antibacterial soap
There is no evidence that antibacterial soaps are more effective than regular ones. In fact, some soaps containing triclosan could cause health risks like bacterial resistance or hormonal effects. Although more research is needed, the state of Minnesota has already banned soaps that contain the ingredient.
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