Do you want to live a healthier life, but feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start?
You know you need to take care of yourself properly, but have tried before and have given up because it’s too much to deal with.
The secret to success is taking baby steps. Making small changes that you incorporate into your daily routine to help you achieve your health and happiness goals.
Here are 15 simple ways to help you live a healthier life:
15 Simple Ways To Live A Healthier Life
Drink more water. Water is essential for our body to function properly. Lemon water tastes great and is very beneficial to your body.
Exercise. This doesn’t have to mean zumba classes or attending the gym (unless you like doing that). Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Walk to your friend’s house instead of driving. Dance or play tag with your children. Play soccer as a family. Add movement into your day whenever you can.
Become aware of your sugar intake. Try to consume less sugar in your day. Maybe have one sugar instead of three in your morning coffee or drink water instead of juice. Read labels and be more aware of hidden sugars such as high fructose corn syrup. Choose fresh fruit for dessert during the week and have a treat on the weekend. Make your own snacks such as these easy healthy granola bars or these delicious vanilla and cranberry protein balls.
Laugh more. Laughter reduces stress, increases infection-fighting antibodies and triggers the release of endorphins, which improve your mood and make you feel good.
Get enough sleep. Easier said than done I know! Try to have healthy sleep habits to make sure you feel well rested and energized in the morning.
Prepare your own meals. When you prepare your own meals, you control the ingredients that go into them. Choose to use fresh ingredients instead of canned, choose spices and herbs to flavour foods with instead of salt. Restaurant meals are typically high in calories. Eating at home will ensure you consume fewer calories and more appropriate portion sizes.
Eat brightly coloured foods. Fruits and vegetables with bright colors are rich in antioxidants. Try to eat a rainbow every day!
Reduce stress. Find ways to relax as stress has an impact on your health. These ten tips to relieving stress may help.
Focus on gratitude. Acknowledging your blessings and having a positive attitude can help boost your overall health.
Use natural cleaning products. Reducing toxins in your home can have long-term benefits for your health.
Practice self-care. Life can be very busy with lots of demands on your time, but it is important to take care of you, so you can live a healthy, happy life.
Breathe. Practice deep breathing for about 10 minutes a day as this has benefits for the whole body, including releasing tension, relaxing your mind and elevating your mood.
Always eat breakfast. Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast will provide your body with good nourishment and great health benefits, such as energy, weight management and improving cognitive function.
Unplug from technology. Make sure to turn off your electronics about thirty minutes to one hour before bedtime. The blue light can disrupt your circadian rhythms and make it difficult to sleep.
Give to others. Find ways to give to others. Cook a meal for a new mom, hold the door for someone at the store, volunteer at a local retirement community or shovel a neighbour’s driveway after it snows. You will be happier as a result of making a difference in someone else’s life.
Yes! Gratitude and limiting sugar have both made a big difference for me! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love this list! These truly are simple adjustments we can make to be healthier. I do really well with drinking water…and really not so well at limiting sugar 😉 Replacing some of my sweet items with those rainbow-colored items (carrots/bell peppers/broccoli) would be a good switch I could be mindful about making.
Take it one day at a time Tracey! I like to add items into my calendar to remind me to eat a healthy snack or to take a walk at my local park.
That is a great list! I love how a new year is all about starting off on the right path.
Love that you included gratitude! You’re so right about that.
The hardest one for me is what I’m working on right now: reducing sugar intake. Gotta keep at it!
Reducing sugar is hard! I have been trying to work on that for a while. Try to take it one meal at a time Richella. Have a wonderful week!
These are some great reminders! I’m always trying to remind myself to drink more water!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sarah Bell
Trendy & Tidy
Great list! I think sometimes we forget many of these!
Amen to unplugging from technology!! Great tips 🙂
I definitely don’t drink enough water and I drink coffee waaaay too much. Great tips and thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!
I love this list! Really simple things, but so important so remember! So thank you for reminding me 🙂 I especially love that you mentioned gratitude, laughing more and reducing our sugar intake – I’m currently working on that because even though am healthy (as in: I don’t eat animal products, I eat a lot of vegetables, whole grains and fruits, I don’t drink alcohol, I drink a lot of water etc.), there’s still quite a bit of vegan chocolate and other sugar sources in my life that I’d like to reduce. Sugar really is a drug, and even the smallest amount on a daily basis will have it’s affect on the body unfortunately…
All the best,
Maisy
Debbie I always love your posts. This one speaks to me in nearly every aspect. I am having such a hard time staying asleep, so it kind of throws off the days. But I have not yet incorporated exercise daily just about once a week and that is not enough. I know that will help. I may have to print the list as a reminder this month. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words Debbie. I also don’t sleep consistently through the night. I do find that the days that I exercise and choose healthier food options, I sleep better. Enjoy the rest of your week!
This is such a great list! I love that you have included gratitude as it is such a powerful tool for self care. Pinned and sharing! Thank you for joining us at Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party. I hope you will join our next party starting Sunday at noon EST.
Nothing else I can say. I love what you post here. Keep posting good news.
Hi Debbie! Cute post…reminds me of how I really need to unplug…such a bad habit and I feel so much better when I limit my screen time. Thanks for the happy thoughts!
Thanks for stopping by Holly! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.