Simple tips for feeling and looking your best – inside and out

(BPT) - Feeling good about yourself goes beyond having a great hair day, the right outfit or the latest handbag - it's something that starts on the inside. When you learn to live a healthier lifestyle, you can begin to reap the benefits of more energy, improved vitality and elevated spirits. Follow these simple and realistic steps to feel your best and increase your overall well-being.

Bright ideas for your diet

A nutritious, balanced diet helps keep your skin glowing and your body looking its best. When making food choices, the richer the colors, the better. Go for dark leafy green veggies like kale, collard greens and spinach, orange sweet potatoes, purple eggplant, yellow squash and tomatoes of all hues. The same goes for fruits. Look to the citrus family for bright yellows, greens and oranges. For purples and blues, berries of all kinds fit the bill. Red can be found in the classic apple-a-day.

Having the right tools will make your new vitality focus even easier. Consider kitchen items such as a spiralizer for making quick and easy veggie "noodles" for pasta dishes, stir-fries and salads, and use a food steamer to cook foods without having to add oil. Invest in a quality blender, as it offers a convenient and tasty way to consume several servings of fruits and vegetables at once. The new Vitamix S30 - a high-performance personal blender with unmatched power and versatility - is compact, portable and perfect for people on the go. The S30 easily creates healthy and delicious smoothies, soups, sauces, frozen desserts and nut butters. Toss in whole fruits, vegetables, or a combination of both, for a simple, yet nutrient-packed breakfast smoothie when you're heading out the door. Or, instead of eating lunch at your desk, blend up a healthy smoothie and bring it on a lunchtime walk.

Count those steps

Incorporating exercise into a daily routine is important for your well-being. Simply increasing the number of steps you take each day can help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults engage in 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, such as brisk walking. To meet the CDC's recommendation, take at least 7,000 to 8,000 steps a day. Other easy ways to increase your steps include parking farther away from a store or work entrance, opting for the stairs instead of elevators and escalators, and taking a sunset stroll. Exercising in the evening can also help you unwind from the day's stresses.

Find your motivation for working out and beginning a more active lifestyle by joining the gym with a friend, colleague or family member. Or, invest in a personal trainer. If you have a reason to keep moving, the change is much easier.

Create a rest routine

Getting enough shut-eye is vital to looking and feeling your best. Skipping out on your sleep can have serious physical and mental impact. For a more restful night, The National Sleep Foundation recommends going to bed at the same time each evening and rising at the same time each morning. Don't eat or drink within an hour of trying to sleep and avoid electronic screens for 30 minutes before retiring for the evening. You might enjoy a light activity, such as reading a book, to help clear your mind. Ensure that you continue to make rest a priority, even as your schedule becomes busier. Ample, quality sleep will be the building block for more energy, better focus and even improved digestion throughout the day.

With a few simple adjustments to your daily routine, you can look forward to feeling your best. By consuming a healthful diet, staying active and making sure to get enough sleep, you’ll quickly start to feel and look like the optimum version of yourself. Take care of yourself on the inside and out, and enjoy life from a fresh perspective.