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How many times have you said “I want to live a healthy lifestyle”? We often say we want to live a healthy lifestyle because we’re influenced by others or we just want to be better for ourselves, but we think it means we need completely change what we do and what we eat. For a lot of people, that complete change results in them giving up when they’ve barely started and it’s not their fault because it’s hard changing all your habits so quick and suddenly. We’ve come up with some small habits that you can work into your life to make you feel good and have a lifestyle that’s healthier.
1. Drink Water!!!!
Drinking water is so important for a healthy lifestyle and just adding this habit alone can make you feel so much better! Water is linked to so many health benefits such as aiding digestion, giving you glowing skin and reducing aches and pains. If there’s just one habit from this list that you try, this is the easiest! Fill up a water bottle, carry with you and sip on it when you’re thirsty – you barely have to try!
2. Go for a Walk
Of course fitness is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and no one needs to be told twice about that. However, not all of us have time for a gym or even the energy to want to go to a gym. Walking every day, even a short one, is a nice middle ground for some added fitness. Walking can have a lot of the same benefits as going to the gym such as weight loss, reduced health risks and just overall better health. In addition to that, a walk might be a lot nicer since you can go at your own pace for however long you want, either alone or with a friend and make a social walk. You can even have a nice scenic walk at the beach or on a trail, or honestly anywhere as long as you’re walking.
3. Routines!
Routines are so important and we don’t mean having a list of things to do every day but instead a sequence of actions that you do every day. We saw first-hand how important it was to have a routine in the pandemic and what happens to us health wise and mentally when we abandon any routines. Routines help us in so many ways but particularly they help with building habits. By creating a routine where you do healthy actions, such as waking up, going for a walk, going through your morning routine, having breakfast and so on. Going through the same actions can help form a habit since they say it takes about 1-2 months to form a habit. You just have to make sure they’re good habits!
4. Vitamins
This is another easy addition to your lifestyle! Sometimes we’re feeling tired or unhealthy because we have a vitamin level on the lower side. By just adding some vitamins or taking a multivitamin we can already feel a change and become a lot healthier. If you’re really committee to this, you can go to the doctor and get tested to see if and what vitamins you’re lacking and then take those supplements. Anyone can do this, and should do this, to be healthier because having the right level of vitamins is important. All this requires is chewing or swallowing a couple pills at the beginning of your day and you’re already one step closer to a healthier you!
5. Make Healthier Choices in Unhealthy Situation
We all love going out to eat and having junk food but sometimes too much isn’t good for us. Saying not to eat out or have junk food isn’t exactly a good way to think. Sometimes as a result of this mindset we end up indulging a bit too much on a cheat day or give in to a craving a bit too much. Making healthier choices in an unhealthy situation is a way to have a bit of both worlds. It just takes some self-control and motivation. For example, when going out to eat choose a restaurant with healthier options or find the healthiest item on the menu that you like (there’s no point eating healthy if you won’t like the meal). If you want donuts, try to have one donut instead of multiples or if you want some chips, try to put a certain amount in a bowl instead of eating from the bag.
6. Use Positive Affirmations
Having a positive mindset can do wonders for your mental health and your overall health. They not only minimize stress and anxiety but also allow us to have the ability to say that we can improve ourselves. Since most people resist the idea of living healthier because they feel that they are unable to do it, reciting positive affirmations can put them in the mindset that they can do it. By telling ourselves we can do things, we can eventually do them and succeed!
7. Re-evaluate your Skincare Routine
Your skin is the largest organ on your body and the thing that protects you from outside stressors so it’s important to remember to take care of it. Having a skincare routine helps us get into the habit of taking care of our skin and keeping it healthy. I don’t mean just your face, but your entire body. Making sure to exfoliate, moisturize and hydrate our skin is so important to have healthy and glowing skin. It’s also a form of selfcare so when your down or stressed, have a little me time and exfoliate, moisturize and throw on a face mask. Plus when your skin feels good, you feel good!
8. Look at the Stressors in your Life
This can either sound simple and be hard or sound hard and be simple, depending on how you look at it. Being stressed can lead to some really unhealthy habits and take you down a bad path. It’s important to evaluate what stresses you out and what doesn’t and then see how you react to them. Changing reactions can be hard but it’s important to try to find healthier coping strategies. For example, if a stressful day results in binge eating pizza, chips and having some drinks, try to change that into going for a calming walk or even going to the gym if it’s that kind of day!
