We all want to be healthy, but sometimes it can seem easier said than done. How can you make sure that you lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle? Instead of making dramatic changes in a short amount of time, why not take small steps towards better health? Here are 50 easy ways to make sure that you’re taking good care of yourself.
1. Taking the First Steps towards a Healthier Lifestyle
Making positive changes in your lifestyle can seem like an overwhelming task, especially if you are lacking motivation or don’t know where to start. Here are a few tips to help you get into the mindset of a healthy lifestyle and take the first steps towards a healthier version of you.
- Start Slow
- Creating new habits takes time. The first step is to take it slow by starting small and focusing on goals that can be realistically achieved.
- You may be tempted to drastically change your lifestyle overnight, but this can result in feelings of frustration, overwhelm and burnout so aim for one goal at a time.
- Planning is an important part of lifestyle change. Once realistic goals have been set, plan out how you will execute them every single day.
- Where possible, write down what you need to do to reach your goals and add deadlines and reminders to help stay on track. It also helps to have someone to be accountable of your progress.
- It’s important to remember that adopting a healthier lifestyle is not just about diet and exercise. As the saying goes, ‘healthy mind, healthy body’.
- Have an honest look at how you’re feeling and make sure that your lifestyle changes are not putting additional strain on your mental wellbeing.
- If needed, make sure to seek professional help and don’t be afraid to reach out for support from family and friends.
Plan Ahead
Look After Your Mental Health
Starting now and following the right tracks, you will be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle in no time. The key is to be consistent and persistent; don’t let any cheats days turn into cheat weeks!
2. Eating Well – From Time-Saving Snacks to Nutrient-Packed Dinners
The importance of eating a balanced diet cannot be understated—for both short-term and long-term health. To incorporate a nutritious diet in the midst of a busy lifestyle, stock up on time-saving snacks that will hold you over until your next meal—try some protein-packed options like string cheese, trail mix, or yogurt. When scheduling meals, plan well ahead and be sure to leave ample time for food preparation. To cut down on time spent in the kitchen, make healthy freezer meals that can last up to a few months.
For dinners, try incorporating plenty of nutrient-packed produce. Incorporate meals that highlight different colors and textures—roasted vegetables, stir-fries, and salads are a few options that could help you hit your nutritional goals in no time! Get creative in the kitchen and explore healthy cooking techniques, such as steaming, boiling, and grilling, that still keep vegetables’ delicious flavor and important nutrients intact.
Including heart-healthy proteins from lean sources, such as fish, chicken, turkey, and legumes, in your meals is another way to ensure you’re getting the most nutritional benefits. Balance that out with healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, and nuts to give your salads, smoothies, or dinner dishes the flavor they deserve!
3. Moving More — Seamless Ways to Incorporate Exercise into Your Busy Life
Too busy for regular exercise? No one is ever too busy for taking care of their physical and mental health. All you need to do in incorporate a few tricks into your daily routine to make sure you are getting your daily dose of exercise while keeping up with your work. Here’s how:
- Move while you work: From standing desks to mini stair climbers, there are many ingenious products that offer easy ways to move more while you work. Try using a standing desk to ease into less hours of sitting each day, or invest in a yoga ball instead of the office chair.
- Break up big tasks: Break up long tasks like writing or presentations into smaller movements. You can integrate a few activities such as squats, jumping jacks, or lunges every 10 minutes or so to be sure you’re getting your daily quota.
- Set alarms: Schedule alarms on your device to remind yourself to get up and move every 1-2 hours. Just a few minutes of physical activity can make a big difference. Plus, it helps you create breaks that can refresh your mind and increase productivity.
- Switch up your transport: This may be difficult if you’re already living in a city, but you can always explore non-traditional methods of transport such as biking, running, or skating that give you both transport and exercise.
These are just a few of the many ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine in creative, seamless ways. Try any of these to have a healthier and more relaxed life!
4. Unplugging From the Noise – Setting Boundaries for Healthy Deliberate Rest
In order to deliberately rest and create a healthy environment in our lives, we must set boundaries in our lives by unplugging from the noise.
There are times when a natural rhythm calls us to silence. To feel safe, take a break, and get recharged. To navigate and take control of this atmosphere of overwhelm, we must simplify our lives and surrender to the moment and detach from everything that does not honor, value, and bring peace. Below are some steps to help you step back and create more space for yourself:
- Make a conscious commitment: Know your boundaries and acknowledge when it’s time to take a break. Commit to yourself to turning off or minimize the noise in order for you to enjoy true rest and peace.
- Turn off notifications: You don’t need to be constantly interrupted by notifications. We can choose to proactively turn them off when needed. Only check your notifications when there’s true urgency.
- De-clutter your physical space: Clutter can end up weighing on us emotionally. Clearing away physical clutter can help us clear away mental clutter. Getting rid of items we don’t need can provide us with a feeling of joy and clarity.
Unplugging from the noise and setting healthy boundaries can bring us much closer to deliberately resting. Such intentional rest is a deep healing that can provide a reset and lead us to the stillness we need to reconnect with our true selves and nurture our spirits.
5. The Power of Positive Reflection – Remaining Grateful for All Life Has to Offer
As times get tough for us, we have to remain grateful for all that we have. Reflection on what we are thankful for can help us to remain positive despite any setbacks. Here are some things to remember in order to cultivate a healthier mindset:
- Be mindful of your blessings. You are alive, and that is a beautiful thing in and of itself.
- Let gratitude be the foundation for how you live your life.
- Acknowledge the small things that make your life fulfilling. Everything matters.
- Be kind to yourself. Life isn’t a race, it’s a journey.
How Reflection Helps Us To Reach A Positive Mindset
Positive reflection can help reduce stress and improve overall mental health by shifting focus to what is going well in our lives. It helps us to take action to live our lives to the fullest. Start by shouting your positive affirmations out loud each morning, and you’ll instantly notice your mindset shifting.
Being mindful of our daily activities can also help us to stay focused on the good. When you recognize something positive you’ve accomplished, no matter how seemingly insignificant, bask in the feeling of accomplishment and harness that energy.
Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t need to be complicated either. With these 50 easy tips, you can ensure that you are taking the right steps to staying healthy and leading a longer, happier life. Now it’s time to start taking action and making positive changes!
