Life-Changing Health Tips Celebs Swear By

Who doesn't love a good celebrity health secret? It doesn't matter if it's a crazy cleanse or a tortuous bootcamp. If it's good enough for the celebs, it's good enough for us. Research shows that we are greatly influenced by the health practices of celebrities. A recent study published in Systematic Reviews examined how the rich and famous encourage us to live healthier. "Celebrities are highly influential people whose actions and decisions are watched and often emulated by wide audiences," wrote the authors. "Many celebrities have used their prominent social standing to offer medical advice or endorse health products, a trend that is expected to increase."

So if you've been needing a little motivation to get healthier, check out what some of your favorite stars do to stay slim, trim, and beautiful.

Sometimes the secrets to health are much simpler than we think. One way model Marisa Miller maintains her killer physique and perfect abs is by staying aware of what she's putting in her body. One way she stays mindful is by eating naked! "Eating smart is all about having an awareness of your body. The most obvious way to do that is by seeing it," she told Women's Health. "So when you're trying to lose weight, spend more time wearing less. I don't think I could eat a plate of nachos naked. Could you?"

Not ready to munch on your salad in the nude? There are plenty of other ways Miller makes sure that she's staying on track with her health regimen. One way is by hitting the gym and working those abs everyday. "The plank works your abs and everything else," says Miller. "Working your obliques pulls everything together and gives you a slim waist."

When we watch models coming down the runway, it's normal to wonder how on earth they maintain their bodies. That kind of perfection does not happen by accident. For flat abs, there's no one better to ask than a former Victoria's Secret model. Miranda Kerr takes a spoonful of coconut oil every day.

"Constipation happens — and more than you're willing to publicly admit! But there is a very simple trick: take a teaspoon of coconut oil in the morning and you'll be ready to go," Dana James, New York-based nutritionist, told Elle. "I recommend it blended in a cup of coffee à la Bulletproof-style or in a green smoothie. Hello, flat stomach!"

And the other way Kerr keeps her abs flat? "The more sex I have, the more defined my arms and stomach get," she told GQ UK. "One thing I've noticed is now that I'm having less sex my body isn't as toned." You heard the girl!

What is the most toxic thing to our health? Sure, there's cigarettes, alcohol, sugar. I would argue that stress outweighs all of those vices. Stress takes an enormous toll on our bodies and can lead to chronic disease and depression. Being in the public eye, celebrities have so shortage of stressors in their lives, so they need a way to manage it.

Entertainer George Burns knew a thing or two about health, as he lived to be 100 years old. "If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity," he wrote in his memoir, "I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress, and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it." Take it from George, and start letting the little stuff go.

Speaking of healthy minds, you don't need to sit in stillness all day to reap the benefits. At the 2005 Kids' Choice Awards, Will Smith shared his two life secrets for health: running and reading.

"Reading... there have been millions and billions and billions and gazillions of people that have lived before all of us. There's no new problem you could have — with your parents, with school, with a bully, with anything. There's no problem you can have that someone hasn't already solved and wrote about it in a book," he said in his speech. "There ain't no problem that some other dude didn't have 1,000 years ago."

Consider giving yourself the gift of some quiet reading time every night before bed. Curling up with a good book will be much more relaxing than scrolling Facebook for the millionth time.

Yes, celebrities are just like us. They buy their own groceries, pump their own gas, and torture themselves with their own pairs of not-quite-fitting skinny jeans. Kim Cattrall credits hers with keeping her in shape. "I own a pair of jeans that fit great when my weight is just right," Cattrall told Good Housekeeping. "When I'm feeling heavy, or I've been overindulging, I'll try on those jeans. If I have to lie down on my back to get the zipper up, I know it's time to cut back on desserts and bread and step up the cardio."

If you have that pair of skinny jeans that have been sitting in the back of the closet for too long, pull them out and try them on. If they feel great, fantastic! If the zipper's not budging, pitch them. You can always buy yourself a new pair when you hit the right weight for you.

Take it from Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who lived to be 102 years old. In this quote from her biography, she lays out her life conviction to live how she wants.

"Wouldn't it be terrible if you'd spent all your life doing everything you were supposed to do, didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't eat things, took lots of exercise, all the things you didn't want to do, and suddenly one day you were run over by a big red bus, and as the wheels were crunching into you you'd say 'Oh my god, I could have got so drunk last night!' That's the way you should live your life, as if tomorrow you'll be run over by a big red bus."

The Queen Mother has a point. If celebrities, who are constantly being watched and judged, can commit to forgetting what others think, then so can we. If you want to order wine when everyone is having iced tea, go for the wine! If you absolutely hate to run, then skip the run. Just do you. Life's too short.

Now before you jump on these health tips, take a deep breath and think about which ones will fit your lifestyle. We are often so interested in what our favorite actors do that we sometimes neglect the fact that their routines might not be the best fit for us.

That study from Systematic Reviews explains the downsides of celebrity health endorsements. We tend to follow celeb health advice because it makes us feel cool. We assume the health practice they're recommending is legit, since this person clearly has the money and status to choose any diet or workout they like. If they're recommending a specific one, it must be good! We're also more likely to buy into the health practices of celebrities who we identify with. I'm more likely to be interested in a Reese Witherspoon's workout, since we're both mothers and around the same age, than I would be into George Clooney's workout. Though don't get me wrong, I'd love to work out with George.

We also just subconsciously want to be like our favorite celebs. If they are recommending running sprints every morning, we're more likely to try it even if we hate running. So make sure you're separating your admiration for the person from your own health.