Five Good Health Habits That Are Easy to Add to Your Everyday Life
Good health is something that is important for everyone, but for a lot of us, it’s also something that feels unattainable. We live in a world of fad diets, self-help apps, workout programs, and everything under the sun that are touted as the “fix” for all our health problems. But when these things don’t work, we find ourselves frustrated and fall back into habits that keep us from achieving better health. I’m not a health coach, or a doctor, so I can only share with you what I have discovered through attempting to be healthier as I’m growing older. All my conversations with my doctor, research, and trial and error have led me to the conclusion that good health can be achieved through a few simple practices: drink water, eat well, move more, get rest, and manage stress. This post will give you an easy way to add all these things to your daily routines!
Drink Water: Carry a Water Bottle with You
If you really want to drink more water, the best strategy I have found is to find a water bottle you love and carry it with you everywhere. Fill it every day and set a goal to drain it however many times you need to in order to get enough water. Everyone is different, so find a type that works for you.
A lot of people love these Stanley cups. They come in lots of sizes and colors. Another option is one like this with time markers to help keep you motivated. I have several of these really affordable ones with a soft spout that make drinking easy on the go.
Eat Well: Plan for Your Week
I have found personally that diet plans, meal programs, and even counting calories don’t really work for me long-term. If they bring success to others, that’s great! However, I have found that creating healthy habits for eating has helped me feel more successful.
The most important one for me is planning my meals and snacks on Sunday before a new week. Having a plan helps me stick to my goals for good eating. If you need a good planning template for good eating, whether on it’s own or part of a self-care plan, subscribe at the bottom of this post for several free options, including the one pictured! Plan your weekly meals and snacks, then go grocery shopping, and then prep for the week. It takes a little effort to get started, but it’s worth it!
Move More: Set a Daily Movement Goal
Movement is so important in our overall health. The obstacle most people find with moving more is they try to do too much. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking we have to lift weights, or run half marathons, or do hardcore HIIT workouts. But that’s just not true.
If you want to keep your body mobile and healthy, start with one of these two easy options. Find a way to track your steps with a Fit Bit or Apple watch and set a goal every day. Or find a simple daily stretch on YouTube or a free app like FitOn and do it every day to start or end your day.
Get Rest: Exchange Stimulation for Relaxation
One of the most important factors in our overall health is our sleep. These days, it’s so easy to fall into the habit of scrolling on our devices before bed, but a lot of research shows that kind of stimulation before trying to sleep can be very counterproductive to falling asleep and staying asleep.
Instead, swap that habit for reading, journaling, or meditating before sleep. If you need help getting started or finding something to help you, try an app like Calm.
Manage Stress: Prioritize Moments of Peace
I’m so busy. I feel like one task bleeds into another and there is always so much to do. I know you can probably relate. Last year, I made it my main goal to practice self-care because my mental health had been the one area I had really neglected.
I found that finding small ways to give myself moments of peace in my day made a big difference in my happiness and made me more productive. Find something that helps you pause and brings you peace and do it everyday: a devotional, an activity like needlework or lettering, a cuddle with a fur baby or warm blanket, or my favorite, a cup of tea.
Tips for Making Good Health Habits "Stick"
I have three big tips that have helped me with tackling goals, and I hope they’ll help you too.
- Start Small: Choose one of these to start with and allow yourself time to build it into your daily life before layering on something else.
- Personalize your Goals: Choose something you have a strong reason for doing and make sure your motivation and your rewards to yourself fit you and what you want. Anything you do for someone else is less likely to be successful.
- Give Yourself Grace: If you drop off in your plan, jump back in. January 1st isn’t the only day you can start new. Forgive yourself for missteps and just keep moving forward. And if something isn’t working, just switch it up until you find what works.
I hope the goals you set this year will be a part of chasing joy and choosing peace every day. Have any other great suggestions for how to add good health habits? Drop a comment below! Have a good day!
Jamie
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