Having daily habits are important to us humans. These habits have a significant impact on how we think, act, and feel. When we follow a specific habit daily, our body and mind are set to do things accordingly.
Our health also depends on our habits. They have the power to make or break our chances of having a healthy lifestyle like sticking to a diet, exercising daily, and just improving our overall quality of life.
We’ve listed seven healthy habits to kickstart your year and start fresh and active!
Water, water, water!
We can’t deny the fact that water is very important to our health. Hydration is essential for every cell, tissue, and organ in our body to work properly so getting the right quantity is crucial.
We've always been told that we need to drink eight glasses of water every day, but if you can drink more than that, then it will be a great help to regulate your body temperature, lubricate your joints, protect your spine and other sensitive tissues, and eliminate waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movement. If plain water isn't your thing, then you can add lemon or lime to help you drink more of it!
Fuel up!
Due to our busy schedules and the fear of being late for work or school, skipping our breakfast has been our option. But just like what our doctors always say, our breakfast is an important meal of the day as it kickstarts our body and gives us the energy we need to finish our daily tasks.
Practice the habit of eating your breakfast and you’ll stay full and energized throughout the day. It can simply be a bowl of cereal, wheat bread, fruits, and grains, or a salad as long as you fuel up before you go.
Go Offline
What’s the first thing you do in the morning? I bet that it’s checking your phones first, right?
Technology has made our lives easier and because of them, communication has never been a problem. Yet, too much use of social media and gadgets can also harm us. It is good to take social media breaks here and there to allow ourselves to focus on other things rather than facing our gadgets 24/7. These devices can damage our eyes and sleep cycle so we need to use them with proper discipline and caution.
Planning
Too much workload and tasks can often bring us stress and overwhelm. Learning to plan and schedule ahead of time will help us lessen the amount of stress we face and avoid procrastination.
Planning assists us in precisely defining our objectives and goals for the day. It pushes us to accomplish more things in a short period and gives us sufficient time to also rest. There are so many apps on the internet that can guide you through the process. The traditional pen and paper to-do list can also be your partner.
Keep Hustling
Despite the new online classes and WFH setup, having your daily exercise is still very important to your body.
According to the National Cancer Institute, regular exercise aids in weight management, bone, muscle, and joint health, and lowers our risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Fitness experts recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise 5-6 days a week, with one day off to rest and recover. Having your workout routine doesn’t have to be so intense, as long as you keep your body moving, release some sweat, and enjoy the process!
Early Lights Out
Do you often feel so moody, drowsy, and tired in the middle of the day?
Maybe that is because you lack the right amount of sleep. We all know that sleep is essential for our health. It allows our body to reset during the night as our organs work and our muscles relax for us to function properly on the next day.
The effects of sleep deprivation may extend far beyond the well-known and may have long-term ramifications for your brain. So make your bedroom your sanctuary, avoid working in bed, have enough amount of rest and this habit will surely make a difference as you enter the next year ahead!
Skip the Junk
All these healthy habits wouldn’t work if your body doesn’t get the right nutrition it needs. As the holidays come, we can’t help but indulge ourselves with the amazing foods, delectable drinks, and dainty desserts on the table.
But, there’s nothing wrong to enjoy these kinds of food once in a while as long as you replace them with healthy snacks and meals for the next weeks. Find alternatives for those unhealthy snacks, keep a healthy weight, and incorporate greens in your diet to keep your body strong and healthy throughout the year.
Keep in mind that developing new healthy habits takes time but as long as you’re focused on your goal, everything is possible!