5 daily habits that will instantly boost your mood and health

It is so easy to get overwhelmed with all of the health tips that are out there. If you are like me, you like to simplify things and focus on a few adjustments to integrate into your lifestyle. Here are my five staples that I recommend to instantly boost your mood and health.

1. Fill yourself up with vegetables

This is something that we have all heard so many times, but how many of us actually take this advice and put it into practice? Don't worry, you aren't the only one!

It took me years to realize that I was never going to achieve optimal health and wellbeing without making vegetables the most important part of my diet. There is no other way around it, eating lots of healthy greens help nourish your body with micronutrients and delivers them in a structure that cannot be matched by supplementing alone. Try to fill up at least half of your plate with vegetables at every meal to make sure that you are giving your body what it needs to thrive.

2. Drink green tea. Often.

My homeopathic doctor recommended that I drink more green tea. For someone that used to struggle with gut health, bloating and just general fatigue, I can honestly say that green tea has help tons in healing my body. It is also is a powerful natural detoxifyer.

Drinking green tea has so many benefits, including helping your liver detox all of the bad things from your body, giving you more energy and helping with the maintenance of a healthy weight.I try to drink as much green tea as I can. I even suggest drinking one after every meal, but if that seems like too much of a stretch for you right now, you can start with one a day.

3. Eat when you’re hungry. Stop when you’re full.

This is something that I've struggled with, but if you take the time to get to know your body, it will thank you in the long run by serving you as the powerful vessel it was meant to be.

We sometimes have a hard time differentiating between cravings and true hunger (this is something that I've learned by reading the book "Eat to Live"). True hunger is felt in the throat, and most of the time, when we have a "hunger" headache it is caused by our bodies being addicted to certain foods (aka sugars and certain preservatives). Get in touch with your true hunger cues, and eat slowly so you know when to stop. Also : it's okay to leave food on your plate if you're full. You can also use smaller plates and portions <3

4. Pair your healthy eating habits with staying active

There is no alternative to moving your body and exercise when it comes to optimal health and wellbeing. Not only does it help us stay physically fit and strong, it also is a powerful mood booster.

When we exercise, we release endorphins and feel good hormones that can help us release stress that we have been carrying throughout the day. It also helps us have better mental focus, and the discipline it takes to actually commit to our exercise routine (even when you don't feel like it!) helps you develop resilience and discipline outside of the gym or yoga studio (something I've learned from my lovely boyfriend).

5. Find your inner zen master

The last thing but certainly not the least, is to relax. It doesn't matter how you unwind, whether it is taking a walk in nature, a warm bath, reading, yoga or meditation.

When you take the time to slow down and breathe deeply, you will really notice a difference in your mood and how you respond to situations in your life. We tend to put our self-care last, and that is a big mistake, because we cannot show up and be the best version of ourselves for others when we haven't first taken care of our own wellbeing.

Relaxation, and shifting your nervous system from high-cortisol releasing "fight or flight" to "rest and digest" is pivotal for the good functioning of your organs, and your mental health. You don't have to sit for an hour. Start with 5 minutes a day and see how that feels. :)

- Mandy Déa DeGrâce