15 Healthy Habits You Can Begin Today
- Move every hour. If you have to, set up an alarm on your phone that will remind you to stand up and move around.
- Use the stairs. Going down to buy lunch? Take the stairs. Need to photocopy a document 2 floors down? Take the stairs.
- Stretch. Yoga is great for blood circulation. But if you can’t get yourself to do a few yoga poses in your office, then at least do some arm, leg and back stretches as often as you can.
- Walk more often. Any time you get the chance, walk.
- Drink water. Bring a water bottle to your desk. If possible, get one that will tell you how much water you’ve consumed, which will help keep track of your intake.
- Read product labels. Make it a habit of reading the product labels, so you know exactly what ingredients are in the foods you eat. It’s also always a good idea to choose whole foods over processed alternatives.
- Add a veggie in all your meals. Even if you hate vegetables in general, a carrot or a few slices of tomatoes is easily incorporated to a lunch or dinner.
- Swap sweet desserts for fruits. Try to eat fruits of various colors, so you get as many nutrients as possible. Eating fruits also make you feel fuller for much longer because they’re rich in fiber. With desserts like cakes and brownies, you end up getting hungry again very easily as a result of the sugar drop that follows.
- Cook at home. While cooking your own meals can feel very time-consuming when you’re a busy person, there’s a ton of simple meals that require only a few ingredients and a short prep time. Here are a few recipes to get your started.
- Limit your alcohol. Reducing your alcohol intake to a generally moderate amount will not only help you lose some weight, it also has a lot of other associated health benefits. This can be done gradually so that you barely notice the difference. For example, if you’re used to drinking 2 cans of beer every day, try to reduce it to just one a day. Then once you’re getting comfortable with it, you can reduce it further to just 3-5 cans per week.
- Log your calorie consumption. Being aware of how much you’re eating can be very effective in discouraging you from consuming too many calories, and in keeping track of the exact nutrients that you’re taking in.
- Get out more. Go to a park, the beach or perhaps a nature reserve. This will help ease your mind and reduce your stress while oxygenating your entire body.
- Get enough sleep. You need 7 hours of sleep daily for your mind and body to recover and rest. Don’t bring your mobile phone and tablet to the bedroom, as the light emitted from these devices has proven to disrupt a healthy sleeping pattern.
- Floss daily. Did you know that poor oral health also makes you prone to life-threatening diseases? Make sure your teeth and gums are clean and healthy and keep your regular dental appointments too.
- Finally, start a hobby. Being passionate about something other than work will motivate you to get up each day, and bring a new sense of focus to a corner of your life. It will keep your mind from worries and fill your life with joy, – something certainly excellent for your health!
