5 Easy Health Hacks to Live a Healthier, Happier Life

We can all use a little extra health on our side these days. The good news? Living a healthier life doesn’t have to be daunting! By switching up a few simple daily habits, you’ll kickstart your immune system and strengthen those vital organs, just in time for cold season. And the best part? No need to force feed yourself a bland plate of raw veggies - you can have your cake and eat it too.

Ready to hack your way into a healthier life?

Swap out butter for olive oil

Pretty much anywhere you use butter, you can swap for olive oil. Think baked goods, sauces, proteins…the list goes on. But why swap? You already probably know that olive oil is healthier than butter, but did you know this simple swap can actually increase your lifespan? A recent study by the American Heart Association showed that replacing your unhealthy fats with olive oil reduces your risk of heart disease, and makes for an overall healthier heart and body.

Take a quick stroll

Get those walking shoes on! Walking just 20-minutes a day lowers your risk of heart disease and diabetes, while improving your memory and mood. With more people spending all day cooped up at home, it’s more important than ever to find excuses to get out, walk and smell the roses while you’re at it. Meet a friend for a walk around the neighborhood, take an evening stroll to disconnect from the day, or ditch the car keys and walk instead of driving. Or...get a dog!

Squeeze lemon in your water

With cold season amongst, we need all the vitamin C we can get. Squeezing lemon in your water boosts your immune system, thanks to high amounts of vitamin C, potassium, gut-healing properties and more. Some added bonuses? It aids digestion, keeps the bloat away, and makes your skin glow! Not to mention it tastes really good. Adios, boring ol’ water.

Spice up your diet with ginger

There’s a reason this little power plant has been used as medicine for centuries. It might be small, but it’s loaded with active ingredients that help fight off infections. Adding ginger into your diet has proven to improve lung health. Try boiling some water to make a fresh ginger tea, or add in freshly chopped ginger to any dish for a zesty kick.

Eat more dark chocolate

Last on our list, but definitely not least… that’s right, your doctor is telling you to eat more chocolate! But not just any chocolate; the key is to eat chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content. Dark chocolate is packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, and can improve heart and brain health. Swapping out dark chocolate for your other guiltier pleasures will leave you feeling more satisfied, and overall happier! You know what they say - a bite of dark chocolate a day keeps the doctor away. ;)

What are your favorite health hacks to add to the list?