We can all use an extra dose of advice on how to tweak our lifestyles to lean more to the healthy side! Wouldn’t it be bliss if we could turn our healthy choices into habits that we barely need to think twice about, and importantly, never consider a chore?
We can read up on what top personal trainers suggest and take inspiration from what our fitness idols do on a daily basis, but we need to make sure our lifestyle choices are sustainable. No extreme measures here; we want consistent healthy habits that can keep us on track to our goals.
From healthy eating habits to adjusting mindset, we’ve got some simple - yet effective - tips to help you pick up the same habits healthy people do every day. Maximise your health and happiness - time to get cracking on developing some habits!
5 Habits healthy people do every day
1: Plan your exercise
One of the most vital factors of a healthy lifestyle is to ensure that you’re moving and getting enough exercise every day. Not only is it key to a healthy mind and body, it also helps improve your mood and helps your brain to focus!
Sure, you could royally decree that you’ll hit the gym every morning or get stretchy in your local yoga studio, but to turn exercise into a habit, you need to make it as easy as you can to commit. Plan your exercise routine for the week and make sure that you’re following through with your great plans.
How?
- Keep an eye on your favourite classes and activities - be sure to pick and mix so they fit into your schedule. If you know you’re not going to have a busy day in the office, see if you can slip in that Body Conditioning class at your lunch!
- Plan your exercise FIRST - before Monday hits you in the face, be sure to plan out exactly what you’re keen to do. By doing this, exercise cognitively becomes the most important thing in your week. It should make it easier to stick to plans... but if you’re still struggling, we’ve got some extra hacks to help you break through the excuses.
- It’s also super important to do something you enjoy! Focus on the fun factor, keep moving, stay active and notice how awesome you feel after working out!. Think of the short term benefits of exercise to help make the healthy habit develop.
2: Be grateful!
Too often in life, we find it easy to moan and groan about the little things. Or even worse, things we can’t change. What energy is being wasted on this! Time to tweak that mindset and welcome the positive vibes into your psyche.
Don’t worry, we’re not going to suggest you meditate every morning, but the art of mindfulness comes into play. Make mindfulness a healthy habit to weave into your days - notice what you appreciate and be grateful.
Being grateful doesn’t just feel good, it’s been proven to be good for your health too! A study from the University of California San Diego’s School of Medicine found that people who were more grateful actually had better heart health - specifically less inflammation and healthier heart rhythms.
How?
- In today’s world it can be easy to forget to be grateful. Try simply spending a few minutes every evening practicing mindfulness and reflecting on everything you are grateful for - your heart will thank you.
- When you catch yourself moaning about the same old thing, pause, take a few breaths and try to release the negativity. Let it go, let it goooo! Healthy, stress-free, happy - they’re all connected.
3. Be sure to eat well (of course!)
Ah eating healthy. Of course healthy people do this every day (well, at least 80% of the time), but this can be the hardest habit to fall into. Many of us struggle to make good food choices, especially when so much temptation lurks and everyday life can get in the way.
But there’s a reason why those healthy people are smashing it! They forward plan, and make healthy eating habits a priority. Gotta be feeling good on the inside to make changes on the outside!
How?
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- Some of the healthiest people we know plan and prep their food at home (usually on a Sunday!) and make sure they use whole, non-processed ingredients wherever possible.
- Cooking at home can make you more food aware and far more in control of food quality and what you're putting in your body - so check out our top food prep hacks here.
- Always beware of the snack cravings - have healthy nibbles at hand to curb your sweet tooth and avoid gorging during an energy slump!
4. Drink enough water
Our bodies are made up of around 60% water, so staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy. Keep hydrated and you’ll notice so many benefits immediately! Digestion, skin, sparkling eyes, energy, boosted immune system - the list goes on!
Not to mention claims that being thirsty can be as bad for our health as being drunk - seems like a no-brainer that hydration is paramount. But how do we make sure we’re drinking enough water to turn it into an everyday habit?
How?
- Be sure to have a large reusable water bottle with you at all times. Keep it on your desk, have it in your bag, always have it to hand! The amount of water depends on build and body type, but females should aim to drink around two litres. Males should drink around three litres.
- If you’re struggling to monitor the amount you get through during the day, mark each hour of the day onto your water bottle. Make sure you drink enough for every hour, aiming for your daily goal.
- Try infusing your water with fruits or vegetables (Mmmm fresh cucumber water) to add flavour if you find water too bland. They’ll add some vitamin goodness too, so it’s win win!
5. Make sure you make time for yourself!
Healthy habits like exercise and healthy eating can transform you, but don’t forget to be kind to yourself! Practicing discipline and making sure you develop habits is one thing, but remembering self-care is quite another.
It’s too easy to get wrapped up in what we should be doing, but a bit of self-care has shown to be key in avoiding health problems. A bit of ‘me time’ can aid our mental and physical health through better self-esteem, less stress, and improved overall well-being. Factor this into your weeks and you’ll feel a whole less stress.
How?
- Spend a few minutes indulging in a little of that golden ‘me time’. Whether that be taking a hot bath, reading a book, going for a walk - do anything that makes you happy! Whatever it takes to make sure you're feeling good, balanced and calm. It’s all about keeping that life Yin and Yang in sync!
- Sometimes, those pesky healthy habits can just not go to plan. Don’t beat yourself up over any plans that are ruined or any dietary slip-ups - we’re all human!!
- Give yourself days off - when your energy levels are low or you’re feeling drained, don’t push yourself. Take some time to recuperate to avoid feeling burned out in your usual workouts. Rest up, have a browse through Netflix - tomorrow’s a new day.
Healthy people have healthy habits. It sounds simple, but the hardest part is having discipline to make sure your healthy changes become your healthy habits too! Planning and forward-thinking are key when it comes to a healthy eating plan and exercise, but be sure to make your changes sustainable. Start with small changes, develop and adjust until you’re soon bounding down the path to a happy, healthy life!
