“Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.” -Buddha

As you likely already know, regular exercise and proper nutrition have positive effects on both your body and your mind.

Despite conflicting information on what you should and shouldn’t eat, and what you should and shouldn’t do for activity, it all comes down to two simple principles: move at least a little every day, and eat a balanced diet of wholesome, nutritious foods.

Not sure what changes to make? Try one of these simple ideas to treat your body better today:

  • Grab a pedometer and work toward the 10,000 step challenge.
  • If walking isn’t your cup of tea, do something else active for at least 20 minutes. Dance, work in your garden, play tag with your kids.
  • Do something meditative, whether it’s practicing yoga, working on a hobby, or reading.
  • Eat foods in a variety of colors to ensure you’re receiving an adequate supply of the antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber you need.
  • Eat small meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar steady.
  • Trade a caffeinated beverage for water—ideally more than one.
  • Trade a processed food for something natural (unprocessed)—ideally more than one.
  • Trade a food with unhealthy fat, like fast food or chips, for something with healthy fat, like fish or nuts (a handful).
  • Eat a different protein source than you did yesterday. Variety is good for your body.
  • Get at least 7 hours of sleep tonight.

This is by no means an exhaustive resource for optimal health. It’s just a selection of simple ideas that add up to make a big difference. Have anything to add?