Implementing healthy habits needs work, patience and willpower. Building healthy habits is a gradual process and not something that happens overnight. It is difficult to form a good habit and stick to it, it takes time.
Starting healthy habits makes a huge difference to our lives physically and emotionally. Sometimes implementing new habits might feel overwhelming but hey don’t pressurize yourself. Take it easy.
Remember it’s not about perfection, it’s about doing the correct things as much as you can and not stressing out. Try to implement these healthy habits at least 3 times a week if you feel overwhelmed. This is going to help you stay on track and reduce stress.
These are some of the habits that I started to implement from the start of 2021 and I am a little proud to say I did stick with 80% of it.
Anyways, let’s dive into some healthy habits that will help improve your life and health both physically & mentally.
1. Drinking a glass of water after waking
Drinking a glass of water immediately after you wake up and before you even get out of bed is an excellent way to rehydrate yourself.
After sleeping through the night we tend to get mildly dehydrated. Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning is really great for increasing our energy levels.
When we are dehydrated our fatigue levels go up.
I drink a glass of water that is at room temperature. You can drink water at room temperature or warm it’s a personal choice but drinking some water first thing in the morning is a great way to boost your energy levels.
2. Homemade meals
I was a total food junkie! I literally used to eat junk food every alternate day and no wonders it did take a toll on my health. Now it’s been a year I have prioritized homemade meals over processed and packed foods.
When preparing a meal at home from scratch we know all the ingredients, all the measurements and are in total control of what we are putting into our bodies. This is by far the best habit that I implemented and have stick to it.
Also try to eat something green every day. Green foods are very nutrient-dense and you get a variety of vitamins and minerals from them. If you are finding it hard to implement greens in your diet but still want to go ahead, then, try adding greens to your smoothies and then move to salads or soups.
This I find is the best way to get into the habit of eating greens. Along with that, have at least 2-3 servings of brightly colored veggies and fruits.
To stick to this healthy habit, make sure to stock up healthy food in your pantry and in your refrigerator. They say, if you keep good food around you, you will always tend to make healthy eating choices.
3. Exercise
Go for a walk or find an exercise that you enjoy.
Not everyone is a gym person. I am definitely not! I did go to the gym for the first time at the beginning of this year but walking on a treadmill or the elliptical or that stationary bike was soo hard for me and I did not enjoy the process.
No offense to anyone here, it’s just my personal experience. For me walking outside every day in the fresh air near to nature is such a mood booster!
Getting out into the greenery and getting some much-needed sunshine not just lifts up my mood but walking briskly also gets me in doing my exercise.
Finding an exercise or activity that you enjoy is one of the reasons that will help you to stay consistent.
Walking for me worked and I make sure to go for walk at least 5 days a week. Apart from a walk I also indulge in mild weight lifting workout at home that helps in building muscle and improving bone density.
So choose what you like, experiment maybe you like to dance, go for trekking or swimming or yoga or zumba. Do what you enjoy, build the intensity and turn it into your best exercise regim.
4. Less screen time
It is very easy to get distracted in this digital age especially when we need to have our smart phone with us all the time.
That’s why it is so important to turn off your notifications and be present in the moment whether you are working from home or in the office or having a conversation with somebody or just even when you are having your “ME” time.
I have already shared the importance of “ME” time. You may click here if you are interested to read about it.
Avoid phones an hour before you go to bed. I used to be on my phone right before bed and then I realise it made it so difficult for me to fall asleep.
The stimulus that our brain gets from the phone keeps us mentally alert and the blue light is something that your brain thinks it not time to sleep and it won’t produce the necessary melatonin which makes it hard for us to attain deep sleep.
I tried and always switched off my mobile phone an hour earlier than my bedtime and immediately saw the results.
When you do not have your phones with you at least one hour prior to your bedtime, you tend to go into that REM sleeping phase (deep sleeping) faster than when you are mindlessly scrolling your phones in your bed.
Also when you turn off your phone notifications during work hours, it helps improve your focus and your attention span.
5. Positive Thinking
In this current chaos of pandemics, it’s so easy to drift into negative thoughts often than ever before. Positive thinking is so powerful that it helps keep us happier and feel good about ourselves and our lives.
When you have a negative thought in your mind just stop doing whatever you are doing and take a moment.
Immediately focus on something else or just look outside your window and gaze the nature. Do not give a place for negative thoughts to pop up in your brain. Be positive.
This exercise takes time but it will help you to stay positive and stop those negative thoughts eventually.
6. Sleep Routine
A crucial factor for a good healthy life.
Getting a good night’s sleep is so important as you will realize you wake up more refreshed in the mornings and your energy levels will also be a lot better.
Having a good sleep will not only make you feel energized but you will have a lot better mental clarity and will be able to focus on your task far better.
Create a bedtime routine, go to bed at the same time every day. You will immediately notice the difference that it makes on your mental & physical health.
7. Spend time with loved ones
This is by far the most important habit that I wanted to implement and I must say I am still struggling a wee little bit on this.
Spending quality time with your loved ones every day is so important! Having good communication and sharing our day, our experiences have a positive impact on our mindset.
When it comes to spending quality time with your loved ones, make sure that your phone notification is turned off, be in the present.
Many of us nowadays are so engrossed in our mobiles that though we think we are spending time with our loved ones we often tend to scroll on our phones mindlessly. That’s not what we want. This habit does take time, it’s not going to happen in one night.
Building good and healthy habits takes time… be patient and keep working on it..
So these are some of the healthy habits that I personally implemented and would continue to implement in the new year too that have immensely helped me to improve my life physically and mentally.
I hope you find this post useful.
Eralivine helps you to get more productive, and take a step in self-improvement & personal development.
If that’s what you are looking out for, then let’s connect!
You may also check out my recipe blog thespicycafe.com if interested.
