25 Easy Healthy Habits To Feel Better Now

Are healthy habits worth cultivating? We all have a handful of bad habits. However, healthy habits may help you sidestep serious illnesses and enjoy the extra decades that you gain in your life on this Earth. Once they become part of your daily routine, you probably won’t even notice them. Let’s implement 25 easy, healthy habits and reinvigorate your lifestyle now.

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I was brainstorming ideas for this blog post and I turned to my five-year-old daughter. I asked her if she could list a few habits to keep her body healthy. While she rattled them off, I was beaming with pride. We’re going to take our cues from one smart little cookie.

• Go outside and play
• Run around the track or swim in our pool
• Eat your Brussels sprouts (She basically despises Brussels.)
• Drink all of my water when you tell me to
• Take lots of vitamins

Her ideas are strikingly close to mine. Let’s break these habits into categories: get moving, stay hydrated, eat more healthy foods, go outside, and focus on the journey.

Get Moving

Keep in mind, we are emerging from a year that changed our lives with a global pandemic. With many gyms still closed, we need to find ways to stay active and break a sweat. Most of us spend the day sitting in front of a screen. Whether the 8 hours of work or 2-3 hours of T.V. time, it’s easy to forget to get up and move.

You don’t have to be an athlete to exercise. Moving your body increases both physical and mental health. Incorporating exercise on purpose is vital to good health. Here are some simple ways you can keep your body moving.

• Set an alert on your computer or watch to encourage you to stand up and stretch every hour.

• Try parking further away from your destination and walk a bit more.

• Use some kind of weight to challenge your muscles. If you don’t lift weights, start slow and try some bodyweight resistant exercises.

• Take the stairs instead of elevators or escalators. If you have groceries in tow, the cardiovascular benefits are even greater.

• Routines are wonderful, but when it comes to exercise, try mixing it up a little. Throw some yoga, Pilates, HIIT or swimming into your regular workouts.

Stay Hydrated

I know, we’ve all heard that you’re suppose to drink 8-10, eight ounce glasses of water daily. For some of you, that’s completely attainable and you already have this down. However, what if you hate the taste of water by itself? Or maybe you live in an arid climate and you feel extra dry as the seasons change. Here are some tips to keep your body hydrated all year long, and it doesn’t have to be about forcing down the water.

• Start your day with oatmeal. Oatmeal is hearty and filling; an excellent source of fiber. Oatmeal is also very hydrating. When oats cook, they expand and absorb the water or milk you prepared them with.

• Try swapping out your dry carbs with a vegetable alternative. On pasta night, make zucchini noodles or use a spaghetti squash. For your stir fry, swap out cauliflower rice instead. Vegetables are incredibly high in water content.

• Sip on smoothies. Use a plant-based milk or coconut water and lots of fruits and vegetables. Hydrating produce includes strawberries, peaches, cucumbers, spinach, blueberries and melons.

• Limit your alcohol consumption. If you are a heavy drinker, start making a log of your alcohol intake. Swap out multiple beers for a beverage you sip on more slowly.

• I have to state the obvious; drink water. Carry a refillable bottle with you. If you get tired of plain water, add slices of citrus, cucumbers, mint or other herbs.

Eat More Healthy Foods

Notice I didn’t say go on a diet. Diets aren’t good for you. I mean, forcing your body into a state of famine, isn’t good for you. You want to make changes today that will make you feel better. Start by focusing on nutrition. You can do this by incorporating colorful fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins. These foods support our body’s natural defenses, boost your immune system and feed your soul.

• Go for whole foods over processed whenever you can. The fewer ingredients, the better.

• Incorporate a vegetable into every meal. Put a slice of tomato on your sandwich, make veggie omelets, drink juices and smoothies or bake zucchini bread.

• Cook more. Cooking at home is healthier, more cost effective, and it can be fun. Make meal themes with the family, like Thai Tuesday, Mediterranean Monday or Spanish Saturday.

• Stop avoiding fat. Fat is important. Fat is necessary for survival. Stop eating fat-free stuff. Instead, nuts, avocados, healthy oils, salmon and whole milk can all be excellent sources of fat in your diet.

Related: I Fell In Love With Thrive Market-Your New Favorite Health Food Store

Go Outside

Going outside is important for your mental health. Being in nature decreases stress, anxiety and depression. Everything you see and hear can improve your mood in the moment. If you live where the weather is undesirable this time of year, it’s even more important to go outside. As a result, being cooped up at home can negatively affect your mental wellbeing. Throw layers on and walk right out your front door to start feeling better now.

• Go out of your way to find a park, a nature preserve, or some woods to explore. Turn to nature for your next family outing or road trip.

• Play with your kids or your pets out in the yard. It will boost the moods of everyone. Dogs especially get so excited by nature that their enthusiasm can be contagious.

• Take your coffee or tea outside in the morning. Listen to the birds, feel the fresh air on your face, and start your day feeling calm and present.

• Move your exercise outside. Go for a jog, ride a bike, or take your yoga outdoors. You can go swimming, rock climbing or find a hiking trail to hit with friends.

• Work outside if you have the flexibility in your job. Bring your laptop and take your work outdoors. Even meetings or conference calls out in nature can inject confidence and a sense of freedom.

Focus On The Journey

First, find and focus on one thing in your environment you can enjoy, even if you’re doing something that irritates you, like waiting in line. Second do what you love, in every area of your life. If you’re in a job you hate, start making plans to change it. Try to fill your life with what you enjoy. Finally, appreciate the journey and not the final destination. When you make small goals, they become realistic and attainable.

• Try meditation. If this sounds too new-age for you, just rephrase it. Think of it as taking a few minutes to yourself to just breathe and unplug from everything around you.

• De-clutter and learn to live with less stuff. Donating or selling items from home feels freeing and cathartic.

• Decrease your screen time. This is hard for most of us. Our electronics are an easy way to relax, but you’ll find yourself mindlessly watching something on your phone or TV.

• Make plans with friends and keep them! Socializing is important for your well-being and can help you de-stress. If you are social distancing, schedule Zoom calls with friends.

• Develop a bedtime routine for optimal sleep. Try shutting off electronics for an hour before going to sleep. Write in a journal to release emotions and thoughts about the day. Drink a relaxing herbal tea or tincture to aid in relaxation.

• Learn to say no occasionally. If you don’t have time, or you think something will add to your stress level, it’s okay to politely refuse.

Related: How To Effectively Manage Stress and Protect Your Peace

Small Changes Today

The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought a multitude of challenges (i.e. stress eating, budget restrictions, emotional stressors). However, our human race is focused on health and wellness more than ever before. You can embrace wellness now with a few small changes. Pick one habit from each category and implement them tomorrow. Utilize these easy, healthy habits and start living a life you can savor.

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