5 Ways Wine Compliments a Healthy Lifestyle

You might be crushing your workouts, your meal prep, and sleeping like a baby, but are you drinking your wine? Yes, you read that right. Wine CAN be part of a healthy lifestyle.

 

Does your vision of a healthy lifestyle include waking up feeling refreshed? Maybe a wholesome breakfast full of exotic fruits and then a breezy five-mile jog? Plus,  an hour of meditation before tackling household chores? Here’s a newsflash–that lifestyle doesn’t exist! Well, it doesn’t exist for MOST of us anyway. 

Many of us are frantically juggling jobs, children, social functions, and more. Trying to fit in gym time and meal prep on top of all that can be overwhelming. It’s enough to make anyone need a glass of wine.

Luckily, if you’re drinking the right wine, it won’t hold you back. So pour yourself a glass, and while you’re at it ditch the mentality that a healthy lifestyle looks the same for everyone. Today we’re talking about how wine can be part of YOUR healthy lifestyle–which can be just as unique as you 😉

 

What Does a Healthy Lifestyle Look Like?

The idea that you MUST do everything absolutely perfect to live a healthy lifestyle is toxic. There, we said it! 

We’re not perfect, and the routines that work for some people might not work for others. Plus, with so many of us spending time at home, even those with flawless routines are having to improvise. So, we want to encourage everyone to use this time to look inwards. There’s no right or wrong way to be healthy, but there are a few key items you’ll want to check off your list.

 

Keep Your Body Active

This is important for your physical and mental health. You don’t necessarily have to do a hundred jumping jacks or pushups, but if that’s your jam then go for it! Maybe for you, it means chasing your toddler around the living room for an hour. Put on your favorite music and dance like no one’s watching! Just do some kind of activity that gets your heart pumping and keeps your body limber. 

 

Drink Enough Water

Hopefully, this isn’t a new tip. Your body NEEDS water to function properly. Plus, did you know that the whole “8oz of water a day” idea is just the minimum amount you should be drinking? 

The best way to figure it out is to take your weight (lb) and divide it in half. Whatever number that ends up being is how many ounces of water you should be drinking every day. It may seem like a big number but trust us. Once you start drinking enough water your body will feel amazing!

Eat Nutritious Food

There’s no such thing as a perfect diet. Everyone’s dietary needs are different, and a persons nutritional needs can change over time. Some swear by the Mediterranean diet, others prefer Paleo. Do you feel better when you limit carbs? Try Keto! The biggest thing is to find what works best for you. Once you know what foods make you feel your best, stick with those and ENJOY them. 

 

Get Enough Sleep

If you’re one of those “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” people, please reconsider. Sleep is pivotal for healing, muscle growth, mood stabilization, and more. Plus, if you’re not getting enough quality sleep your immune system can start to weaken. 

If your routine has been drastically altered because of quarantine or self-isolation, give yourself a break and take a nap. Your nervous system is probably in overdrive, and sleep will help your body break down all those extra stress hormones.

 

Drink Wine!

If you read our 10 Ways to Adopt the Italian Lifestyle blog, you’ll know that wine can be a key part of their day to day lives. Part of that is because the area is so steeped in wine culture. Another reason, however, is that drinking high-quality wine has a surprisingly large amount of perks.

 

5 Ways Wine Compliments a Healthy Lifestyle

First, let us be clear. Drinking an entire bottle of wine to yourself every day is NOT good for you. You can’t make poor nutritional choices, sit on the couch all day, and then expect wine to fix you up. Wine can complement a healthy lifestyle, but it can’t fix an unhealthy one.

However, if you’re already living your best life (or trying to) then drinking one glass of wine everyday can give you a few perks.

 

Perks of Moderate Alcohol Consumption

Notice we said “moderate” alcohol consumption. That’s because if your consumption surpasses a certain amount, you lose all the benefits and start to acquire damage. The Mayo Clinic defines a moderate amount as one 5oz glass of wine for women, and two 5oz glasses of wine for men. 

However, even moderate alcohol use isn’t risk-free. So, know your limits and consult your doctor if you’re concerned. There are several amazing low-alcohol wine options you can try as well.

If, however, you’re already pretty wine savvy and know that one glass of wine a day is manageable, then make that glass a priority! Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with less risk of heart disease, stroke, and even a lower risk of diabetes.

Wine Can Enhance Food Flavors

If you struggle to eat healthily but LOVE your glass of wine, consider building a meal around your favorite wine! If you love a creamy white wine, consider pairing it with seafood or white meat dish. If you prefer warmer red wines with bold flavors, consider pairing it with red meat or cheeses. 

The whole point is to make your healthy meals feel like an indulgent treat! Plus, it’s a great way to get in your daily glass of wine. 

 

Wine Can Give You An Excuse To Practice Self-Care

While you’re at it, drinking your glass of wine can also be an excuse to practice some much needed self-care. Treat yourself to a glass of wine and a bubble bath, maybe a relaxing glass of wine after dinner, or even as a mid-afternoon celebration once the workday is over. 

When you actively choose your “treats” it makes it easier to pass on junk food or other less healthy items. Plus, just because you’re spending more time at home doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been relaxing. Don’t forget to carve out some YOU time.

 

The Resveratrol in Wine Has Some Pretty Amazing Perks

Let’s not forget that wine has several amazing compounds, and one of the most powerful ones is resveratrol. This compound is a powerful antioxidant and is mainly found in grape skin and seeds along with some berries. It’s more prevalent in red wines, but you’ll still get a small amount in white wines too.

It’s important to note that a lot of the following studies used high doses of resveratrol supplements. So while you won’t immediately experience these effects, over time the beneficial properties of resveratrol may be felt. Just a few of them may include a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, lower bad cholesterol, higher good cholesterol, less age-related cognitive decline, and it may even ease joint pain. 

Again, we want to remind everyone that wine is not a miracle cure. However, pairing it with other healthy lifestyle choices is a great way to consume beneficial compounds and develop healthier habits.

 

Open a Bottle of Wine to Relax with Friends and Family

Last, but certainly not least, sharing a bottle of wine with friends and family is a great way to celebrate the occasion and catch up with each other. Maybe for you and your family, this is a weekly ritual where you take time to reconnect. If you’re stuck at home, start a new virtual tradition where you video chat with each other. 

It doesn’t matter if someone is raising a glass to you in person or over the internet, it’s still a great way to relax and blow off some steam.

Cheers to Your Health!

If you’ve been practicing social distancing, your routine has probably taken a hit. You can still live a healthy lifestyle, however, by tweaking a few of your home habits. We don’t know about you, but any lifestyle that you can integrate wine into sounds pretty good to us.

As always, make sure you’re drinking natural, additive-free wine that enhances your health goals instead of holding you back. With less than three grams of carbs and residual sugar in each of our PALO61 bottles, our wines are designed to complement lifestyles that balance nutrition, fitness, and mental health. Plus, with our safe home-delivery, you don’t even need to leave your house.

Check out our selection of wine and feel free to try a single bottle or to become a full-fledged SECCO Wine Club Member.