Most people understand the importance of taking care of their health and well-being. But, some common misconceptions maintaining good health requires drastic changes. That’s not always the case.
In fact, it’s often the small, simple habits that can significantly impact your overall well-being. By incorporating healthy habits into your daily routine, you can not only improve your physical health but your mental wellness, too.
So, if you’ve let the idea that being healthy requires major changes keep you from taking charge of your well-being for too long, start taking small steps today with these simple daily habits.
We often think of routines as something babies and kids need to thrive. But, adults can benefit from a daily routine just as much. It starts with making sure you’re getting enough sleep. Chances are, you’re probably not. According to the National Council on Aging, about ⅓ of American adults get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night. That can lead to negative effects like:
One of the best ways to get more sleep is to improve your sleep hygiene and incorporate it into your routine. Try to go to sleep at the same time each night and wake up around the same time each morning. It’s a great way to set the tone for the day and make it easier to stick to other aspects of your routine. You might include daily journaling, working, spending time outside, and spending time with your family in your routine. Find what works for you and promotes your well-being.
Exercise should be a part of your routine, no matter how active you decide to be. Finding a physical activity that makes you feel good and allows you to have fun will improve your physical and mental health. Consider taking a yoga class or dance lessons, or even taking a leisurely walk around the neighborhood with your family each night.
Self-care practices, like a daily skincare regimen, should also be a part of your daily routine. If you’ve never adopted a particular skincare routine before, consider diving into the popular and effective Korean skincare regimen, that focuses on consistency, layering products, and utilizing natural ingredients.
Before you skip past this section assuming that you’ll have to completely change your diet to be healthier, pause and think about what you’re consuming daily. Try planning and preparing meals ahead of time so you aren’t tempted to eat out as often. Get rid of added sugar whenever possible. Load up your dinner plate with vegetables before adding anything else.
Additionally, listen to the old advice that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You might think skipping breakfast will help you eliminate a few calories for the day, but it will actually end up making your metabolism more sluggish, and can even send your body into “starvation” mode. Breakfast helps with weight management, provides essential nutrients to get you through the day, and can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when it comes to your diet is how to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water is one of the best things you can do for your body, but it’s not always easy to drink glass after glass throughout the day. If you’re having trouble staying hydrated, try things like:
Speaking of alcohol, it’s not necessarily off-limits, even if you’re trying to maintain a healthy diet. However, alcohol does take a toll on the body. It can increase your risk of acid reflux, weaken the immune system, and even damage the heart and lungs. While the occasional drink is okay, make sure you’re conscious of how much you’re drinking, and how often.
Spending time with people is actually a great way to boost your mental and physical well-being. Isolation can actually wreak havoc on your mind and body, contributing to depression, a weakened immune system, and even higher mortality rates.
The stronger your social connections, the higher your quality of life. When you take the time to foster healthy relationships, you’re likely to notice improvements in your sleep health, reduced stress, and a greater sense of belonging, and you might even be inspired to participate in healthier habits and behaviors.
Call your friends or family members regularly, and make it a priority to spend quality time together. Additionally, don’t be afraid to meet someone new. Take a class or join a club that you’re interested in. You’ll meet some like-minded people who could become your greatest friends.
As you can see, you don’t have to completely turn your life upside down to boost your health. Try some of these simple daily habits, and you might be surprised by how much better you feel.
By Katie Brenneman