Healthy Habits That Can Make a Big Difference

Six Healthy Habits To Add To Your Daily Routine That Could Make a Big Difference on Your Health

Trying to create a new habit in your routine can seem daunting. You may be thinking – How do I start? When do I start? How can I set achievable goals, and meet them? Healthy habits are not created overnight. It is important to start small and focus on creating a consistent change in your daily routine.

Choose small habits that fit into your current lifestyle, or could be easily implemented into your routine. Then, slowly add new changes at your own pace. Over time, seemingly small changes can lead to long lasting healthy habits that benefit your overall health and wellness. If you are wondering where to start, here are six changes you can add to your routine:

Increase Daily Water Intake

Water is essential for every cell in the human body to function. It aids our digestive system, hydrates our skin, promotes kidney function, regulates body temperature, and more. However, many people still do not drink enough water every day. In fact, around 75% of Americans are considered dehydrated.

Encouraging yourself to drink more water is an easy change to your daily routine that brings unlimited benefits. Try starting your day with a full glass of water when you wake up, and be mindful of drinking water throughout your whole day.

Here are some ideas to add flavor to water:

• Add lemon juice or a fresh slice of lemon.
• Infuse with cucumber and mint.
• Try a sugar-free flavoring agent (Crystal Light, MIO, etc.)
• Make tea! Try hibiscus, lemon and ginger, green tea, peppermint tea, etc.
• Muddled blueberries and lime.
• Enhance with fresh herbs like mint, basil, rosemary, etc.

Increase Daily Steps

Walking is a low impact form of exercise that can boost energy, improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones and muscles, reduce stress, improve sleep and more – and also requires no equipment. There is no need for a smart watch or step counter, just make it a goal to add extra strides into your day. Any addition of steps is good for you and is a positive addition to your daily routine, here are some ideas:

• Park farther away. Choose parking spots farther away from where you are going. If you take public transportation, get off a stop early.
• Take your dog out for a walk. The next time you let your dog out, go outside for a quick walk around your neighborhood.
• Stand while you wait. Early for an appointment? Waiting for your flight? Watching your children’s sports game? Walk around the area or choose to stand.
• Take a movement break. Try being mindful about the amount of time you are sitting, and take a break to change your position. If you have been sitting for an hour, try standing and stretching for five minutes or filling up your water bottle.

Dedicate Time to Plan Meals

Planning your meals in advance is a great way to save time, money and eliminate any extra stressors in your busy week. Try to dedicate a few minutes before your next visit to the grocery store to plan out meals and snacks for the week and mindfully meal plan. Planning ahead allows you to:

• Make mindful substitutions for healthier options – swap soda for a flavored/infused water with Crystal Light or fruit.
• Find a new recipe to try!
• See what you have in the fridge or freezer that you can use.
• Make sure you are getting enough nutritious foods in your grocery haul to avoid take out or extra visits to the store during the week.

Unplug

The technology around us can have negative effects on our mental health and wellbeing. It is important to take moments to unplug from technology and do other activates you enjoy! Any change in the amount of screen time you get per day can have positive impacts like improving sleep, reducing eye strain, promoting better posture, enriching mental health and more.

• Swap a nightly show for 30 minutes of reading.
• Eat meals away from a screen.
• Turn off phone notifications when you are home.
• Set screen time limits for certain apps.

Get More Sleep

Did you know about 1 in 3 Americans are not getting enough sleep? Lack of sleep leads to more than just low energy. Sleep deficiency has an impact on your entire body – heart and circulatory systems, metabolism, immune system, nervous system, mental health, and more. A full night’s sleep can:

• Improve mental functions like memory, cognitive thinking, etc.
• Improve mood.
• Decrease stress and anxiety.
• Regulate blood sugar.
• Lower risk of getting sick and other serious health problems.
• Improve athletic recovery as well as the body’s production of growth hormones necessary for tissue and muscle growth.

Create a Bedtime Routine

Similar to kids, adults also benefit from a consistent bedtime routine. Why? A consistent nighttime routine tells your brain it is time for bed and can have many positive benefits, including better sleep, reduced stress, improved mood and more. Here are some ideas for creating a bedtime routine for better sleep:

• Choose an actual time to go to bed and give yourself 30-60 minutes prior to start your routine.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bed.
• Try drinking hot tea or a hot water with lemon and ginger.
• Put away electronics.
• The blue light from phones, tablets and computers can disrupt the body’s production of the sleep hormone melatonin.
• Try light stretching, yoga, or a five minute meditation before getting into bed.
• Journal or read.

To a Healthier You

Mindful, consistent changes in your daily routine can truly transform your mental and physical wellbeing. Making strides to implement even one or two of these changes into your day can bring countless benefits and ultimately lead to a healthier you.