Living a healthy lifestyle is so much easier, cheaper and more simple than most of us realise. It doesn't have to mean paying through the nose for a fancy gym membership and expensive workout clothes. It’s not blowing the weekly food budget on expensive superfoods, and it’s not giving up all of the things that we like and enjoy. You don’t have to be ‘perfect’ to live a healthy lifestyle, there are a lot of really simple things we can do every day which contributes to better health long term. Here are five, really easy things that just about all of us can commit to doing.

Walking is free and accessible, unless you have a mobility or health issue it’s something that everyone can do. Walking is practical because as well as being good exercise, it’s also a way to physically get from A to B so it’s something you can fit into your daily life. Instead of getting the bus or hopping in the car, walk when you can. Walk to the shops, walk to see a friend, go on a hike with your dog or offer to walk your neighbor's dog. It sculpts and tones the entire body and is great for cardiovascular fitness. It doesn't matter what your current fitness levels are as you can make it easier or harder by changing your speed or choosing flatter or more hilly terrain.

Bread, rice and pasta are staples in most of our diets. But instead of reaching for the white variety, make a simple swap to whole grain. Wholegrain varieties prevent blood sugar from spiking where the energy release is slower, they also contain more fibre and vitamins. It’s so easy, you don’t need to do anything else other than choose a slightly different product when you go to the shops. You’ll use the ingredients in the same way, although of course if you add extra fruit and vegetables to all of your meals this is always going to be a bonus. Add some extra chopped vegetables to your meat when making bolognese and serve it with the wholemeal pasta for example. It won't taste much different but will be far better for you. 

Studies have shown time and time again that eating breakfast is associated with lower body weight and better alertness and function in the mornings. The reason many people skip breakfast is due to a time issue before work, so going to bed earlier and getting up earlier to eat breakfast can be good from a mental health perspective too. You’re not rushing around so much in the morning and are giving yourself some time to just sit and eat. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, a couple of slices of wholegrain toast or a small bowl of cereal with a piece of fruit will do the trick. It will save you from getting really hungry by 11am and wanting to reach for unhealthy snacks. If you don’t have much time in the mornings, make some jars of overnight oats, breakfast oat muffins or omelette bites to bring in a tupperware box and eat on your commute or at your desk when you arrive at work. 

We’re lucky enough to live in a place in the world where clean drinking water is always available. Something most of us should do is drink more of it, buy yourself a large flask and fill it up each morning, aiming to drink the whole thing by the end of the day. It can help you to see exactly how much you’ve had. Skip out on the sugary juices and sodas and glug down some water instead, your body really will thank you for it. Hydration improves skin condition, helps you to stay alert and provides all of your organs with everything they need. 

Finally, just relax! Give yourself permission to just kick back and not do much for  chunk of time each day. Have a hot bath with candles, read a book, watch a movie on Netflix or play on a video game. Relaxation doesn't need to be expensive spa trips and professional massages, it should be things that are easy and accessible to do every day. This prevents burnout where you’re giving yourself time to unwind rather than trying to cram something into every minute of the day before you go to sleep.

What simple things do you do every day to contribute towards better health?