We all know how hard it is to break a bad habit. On the flipside, it is just as hard to enforce good habits. Psychologists always recommend making many deliberate small actions to build good habits. Talking of good habits, here are some of the healthy ones you should inculcate in your lifestyle for a happier, healthier life:
Sit up straight
Your posture has the potential to affect both your physical and mental health. If you notice that you lie slouching, now is the time to fix your posture and sit up straight. Start by making sure your back is straight and keep your shoulders relaxed. You should also avoid looking down at your phone as you hurt your neck muscles. If you must, set reminders on your phone every few hours or paste sticky notes around the house.
Don’t skip breakfast!
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The best thing you can do for yourself is to have proteins and foods high in fiber for breakfast each morning. Proteins make you feel full for longer because they decrease ghrelin, the hunger hormone. This food group also contains hormones that make you feel satiated, meaning you can go longer without snacking until your next meal. Fibers also make you feel full longer and provide the much-needed energy to tackle the busy day ahead.
Reduce your intake of artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than natural sugar but contain much less energy. Consuming too much artificial sugar in energy drinks and sodas can result in weight gain, headaches, depression, and an increased risk of cancer. It would be best to limit your artificial sweeteners intake and replace your diet soda with carbonated water.
Make your bed
When you wake up, the first thing you should do is make your bed. It will feel nice to retire into a made bed at night rather than fumbling about your room trying to tidy up your space. When you make your bed in the morning, you also set yourself up for success throughout the day. Inculcate the habit of making your bed first thing in the morning to boost your mood and add it to the list of your small wins.
Eat a balanced diet
You are always a product of what you eat. That is why one of the best healthy habits to start is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Eating healthy can be a challenge, especially to people accustomed to junk and fast food. Incorporate lettuce and leafy greens in your diet, as well as proteins and vitamins. Ensure you eat organic foods free from additives and consume organic supplements to boost your health and immunity.
Tip: You can also add natural supplements in your diet.
Invest in yourself more
This year, a great habit to inculcate into your lifestyle is to invest in yourself. You can invest in yourself by reading more books, be it motivational books or fictional books that will get your ribs cracking. You could also use your finances to invest in a gym membership, an online course or a trip to your favorite destination to help you decompress after a stressful week. Remember that you are your most significant priority and your happiness and well-being comes first.
Walk more often
Walking is an excellent way to burn calories and get your heart rate up. Instead of driving to the grocery store, plug in your earphones and take a brisk walk. Next time, take the stairs instead of the elevator or alight a little further from home and walk the rest of the way. Ensure you seize any opportunity you get to walk and use a fitness tracker to help you track the number of steps each day.
Drink enough water
There are numerous health benefits of drinking water, such as improved digestion and clear skin. Our bodies are made up of 70% water, showing just how vital water is to the human body. Experts recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. Make a habit of adding one extra glass of water to your daily intake as you strive to keep your body hydrated.
Get at least 8 hours of sleep
Your body heals itself when you enter into a state of deep sleep. Therefore, depriving yourself of much-needed sleep prevents your body from healing itself and restoring damaged cells. Sleep is also good for the functioning of the brain. An excellent habit to inculcate into your lifestyle would be to detox your sleep schedule and ensure you get at least eight hours of sleep each day.
Give yourself strict deadlines
It becomes easy to procrastinate on a particular task because you know there is nobody to keep you accountable, and you convince yourself you will get to it later. Make a habit of setting strict deadlines for yourself whereby you announce the commencement of a project and follow through until it is complete within a given time frame. Go a step further and get an accountability partner who will keep you on your toes and prevent you from slacking.
Tidy up before bed
The very last thing you want to do after a long day is to wash the dishes or get rid of a pile of laundry. However, tidying up before you retire to bed will help you feel more relaxed when you wake up the following day. You will also be able to dedicate time to more important things rather than clean up the mess you left the previous night. Dedicate at least ten minutes before bedtime to clear the dishes and keep your house in order.
Try balance exercises
Balance exercises are a part of neuromotor training, and they help improve your mobility and agility. As the name suggests, they also improve your balance. Make a habit or practice some balancing exercises wherever you go, whether you are standing in a queue or preparing dinner. Try to stand on one leg, hold for ten seconds without toppling over, and switch to the other leg. Do these exercises at least twice a day, and it will become a habit within no time.
Final remarks
As you have seen, some of these lifestyle changes are super easy to add to your routine. Well, try them out and remember it is not too late to take a step in the right direction.