Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any health program.
The habits listed below are suggestions, and do not substitute any medical advice. Check with your doctor before trying out any of them.
1.) Get Sunlight first thing in the morning (if possible)
Getting some sunlight first thing in the morning is more important than you think. Not only does it help us align our circadian rhythm and give us a much-needed boost of vitamin D, but it can also improve our mood significantly. Sunlight has been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain, a chemical that helps regulate our mood and emotions. This means exposure to sunlight can help your overall brain health and sense of well-being to reduce stress.
Exposing yourself to sunlight first thing in the morning has been found to help you get a good night's sleep by helping regulate your circadian rhythm, which is your body's internal clock.
2.) Work with a health and wellness coach
Health and wellness coaching is an effective, empowering way to take control of your health and make lasting changes to create a healthier, happier you. Working with a health coach can be just what someone needs to make their new healthy habits stick. A trained health and wellness coach can help you develop realistic goals and specific strategies for success. They will provide support, guidance and accountability so that you are more likely to stay committed to the changes you want to implement to reach your goals.
Working with a health coach will help you achieve better physical wellbeing, but also promote mental wellbeing. Health coaches use evidence-based behavior change strategies which helps individuals identify patterns that may prevent them from making positive lifestyle choices.
To achieve optimal health, consider working with a health and wellness coach to help you make lifestyle changes that will be sustainable and beneficial for the long-term.
3.) Try and eat a variety of healthy fats
Healthy fats are essential for our bodies to function properly, yet many people still shun them or are unaware of the different types and their specific benefits. Healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, olive oil, salmon, and flaxseeds are excellent sources of unsaturated fats that nourish the body with omega-3 fatty acids and other beneficial nutrients. Eating various healthy fats can help reduce cholesterol levels, improve heart health, support brain health and more.
4.) Create and review you a vision board every morning
Creating and reviewing a vision board every morning can be a valuable tool in helping you stay on course towards your goals. Having a daily visual reminder of the goals can help keep you motivated and focused, even when you face challenges or distractions. As we all know, forming good habits and actions is one of the most important and powerful tools for achieving any goal. Regularly engaging with a vision board can help reinforce these habits, because each time you review it you are reminded of your goals and actions that need to be taken to achieve them.
In addition, regularly viewing the vision board helps form strong mental associations, which serve as an unconscious drive for success – reminding you why you are working hard and what you are aiming towards.
5.) Cut down on sugar and processed food
Cutting down on sugar can have a significant positive impact on your well-being and overall health. Consuming too much added sugar has been linked to weight gain, which raises the risk of developing conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Moreover, high levels of sugar consumption can also lead to tooth decay and other dental problems. By reducing your daily intake of sugary foods and drinks, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing these health issues.
Making some simple changes to your diet can help cut down on your sugar consumption without making any major sacrifices. Start by limiting or avoiding foods and drinks that contain high amounts of added sugar, such as soda, candy, cookies, cakes and other sweets. Instead, opt for naturally sweet snacks like fruit or look for products labeled ‘No Added Sugar’ when making food choices.
6.) Carve out more time for yourself
Carving out more time for yourself should be a habit to aim for as it helps you ground yourself and connect more with your needs and wants. Taking this dedicated time means you can really focus on what matters to you and prioritize your own needs. It's also an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and become more mindful of the present moment. This self-care ritual can help restore equilibrium by providing a sense of relaxation, calmness, and clarity that can help boost your overall well-being.
Additionally, carving out more time for yourself is key in staying connected with your deeper values and desires. This can give you a greater feeling of personal power, and inspire creativity and motivation by finding ways to fulfill them.
7.) Do one act of kindness everyday (even if you don't feel like it)
Doing one act of kindness every day, even when you don't feel like it, can have a positive impact on your life for various reasons. First and foremost, it's an incredibly rewarding experience to make someone else’s day better by doing something for them with no expectation of anything in return. Taking a few moments out of your own busy life to help someone else can create a unique sense of satisfaction and give you a feeling of accomplishment that is hard to replicate. Additionally, it can put you in the mindset that there are plenty of good things going on in the world and that you have the power to contribute positively.
By showing kindness to those around us, we not only deepen our existing relationships, but also create new opportunities to connect with new people who otherwise would never have interacted with us. This can lead us to meaningful conversations that bring us joy and teach us valuable lessons. Moreover, engaging in acts of kindness involves being present and mindful of the present moment, which contributes greatly towards our mental wellbeing. In short, kindness brings purpose and joy into our lives, while simultaneously deepening our appreciation for those around us.
8.) Record a short video journal everyday
Keeping a video journal can be a great practice, especially when it comes to reflecting on your progress and cultivating self-awareness. Recording brief daily vlogs of yourself can help you better understand the way you think and feel in different contexts and situations. This will give you valuable insight into how to best manage any life challenges that come up and foster personal growth. It also provides a way to track your goals and review how you’re doing with achieving them, allowing for quick evaluations and course corrections as needed.
Video journaling also gives you the opportunity to look back at past entries as a reminder of how far you’ve come in life. This can help boost motivation and inspiration to continue moving forward and making progress towards your goals and dreams.
9.) Correct your posture
Correcting your posture can be an important healthy habit to implement in your daily routine, as it has a plethora of health benefits. Poor posture leads to increased physical strain on the back, neck, and shoulder muscles leading to muscular pain and discomfort. On the other hand, standing or sitting with correct posture relieves this stress and helps you move and breathe more easily, improving your overall wellbeing.
Additionally, good posture can boost confidence and self-esteem by giving you a sense of control of your body. It also reflects respect for yourself and those around you, contributing to better relationships with others. Furthermore, maintaining correct posture can improve cognitive functions like focus and concentration, because it helps you stay alert and energized throughout the day.
10.) Try habit stacking
Habit stacking is a great way to make lasting changes in your life, by gradually adding new good habits on top of existing ones. This involves associating the new habit with an old one already part of your regular routine, making it easier to transition into the new behavior.
11.) Move your body more
Our bodies are built to move and be active, so it’s important to make sure we get enough physical activity every day. Moving your body more has various positive benefits, from improved cardiovascular health and increased muscular strength to enhanced mental wellbeing and boosted energy levels. Even just as little as 10 minutes of exercise per day can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day.
Physical activity is also a great way to reduce stress and anxiety levels, as it releases endorphins which boost our mood. It can also help with better sleep quality and provide an outlet for creative expression through dance or sports. Taking the time each day to move your body is a worthwhile habit that can bring numerous physical and mental health benefits.
12.) Try to eat one plate of greens everyday
Eating one plate of greens every day is an excellent healthy habit to adopt in order to ensure you are getting enough essential vitamins and minerals. Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides numerous benefits, from improved digestion to reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
It’s important to be cognizant of the foods you put into your body. By developing healthy eating habits, you are giving your body the best fighting chance to stay healthy. Eating a plate of green vegetables each day is the perfect way to ensure you are consuming the essential nutrition your body needs to stay healthy and strong. Choose the greens you like, so you can look forward to having them on a daily basis.
13.) Commit to a healthy lifestyle
This one might seem obvious, but you need to make it a daily habit to recommit to the healthy lifestyle you promised yourself. To make it easier for you, break down your goal into smaller achievable steps and work on them one at a time. You can also use habit stacking to gradually increase the amount of activities involved in your healthy lifestyle.
This means eating right, sleeping well, exercising regularly, taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally – all these are part of a healthy lifestyle. Also, don’t forget to give yourself breaks when needed. It’s all about finding the right balance and committing to it every day – this is a habit that will serve you well in the long run.
14.) Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate some more
Everyone should aim to develop this habit daily. Normal bodily functions depend on staying hydrated, because it keeps things lubricated and removes waste and toxins from your system. Try to always have a reusable water bottle with you so that you are reminded to hydrate.
15.) Try intermittent fasting
This one is not for everyone, so you might want to check with your doctor or health care practitioner, but intermittent fasting can be a great way to jumpstart your health journey. Intermittent fasting is the practice of abstaining from food for periods of time throughout the day or week. As with any diet or lifestyle change, it's important to consult a doctor before trying intermittent fasting.
Summary
A healthier lifestyle is essential for overall wellbeing and improved mental clarity. There are many simple habits to incorporate into your daily life that can help you on the journey towards healthier living. Habits like good posture, habit stacking, physical activity, and intermittent fasting can all lead to better cognitive functions, increased energy levels, and improved confidence to help you create healthy living habits. Committing to these practices every day is key, and with enough practice and dedication, you will be on your way to becoming a healthier and happier version of yourself.
