Are you trying to live a healthier lifestyle but finding it hard to break old habits? Is your commitment to wellness building into positive habits every day? Here are 10 simple ideas to improve your daily wellness habits now:
- Stretch
- Exercise
- Make One Meal a Day Yourself
- Smile
- Drink More Water
- Sleep
- Probiotics
- Me Time
- Take a Rest Day
- Have a Morning Routine
Stretch
Daily stretching helps decrease muscle stiffness and can improve your range of motion. Stretching can also help protect you from injuries by keeping your muscles flexible and aligned correctly.
Most people understand that it’s essential to stretch before you work out but taking short stretch breaks throughout the day also has benefits. If you’re at a desk, relax your shoulders, stretch your neck, and move your arms and hands. Alternate this with stretch beaks for your legs by getting up and walking around for a few minutes. Taking stretch breaks may also help relieve stress.
Exercise
No time for the gym? Exercise comes in many forms. Walking during your lunch break is exercise. When you shop, park your car far away from the door and take the extra steps.
You can do sit-ups or other exercises while you’re watching TV. Work on your squats and lunges when you’re talking on the phone at home. And taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a great way to get some exercise.
Make One Meal a Day Yourself
A key factor in wellness is what you eat. It’s easy to fall into bad habits by grabbing take-out, snacking on candy and chips, or skipping meals.
Plan to make one meal a day yourself. Use the time to focus on new flavors, build your confidence with new recipes, or even grow your relationships by sharing meal prep with a friend or partner. Taking the time to use fresh, healthy ingredients in at least one meal a day will improve your wellness habits.
Smile
Smiling causes your body to release an increased level of cortisol and endorphins. These hormones help reduce inflammation, control blood pressure, reduce pain, and improve your mood. Smiling is also a friendly, social way to connect with people.
Your smile can help improve someone else’s spirit, and their return smile to you helps you too.
Drink More Water
Does drinking a huge glass of water seem like a chore to you? Break your water intake up throughout the day instead. Start with a small glass when you wake up and add another every time you brush your teeth.
Keep a glass near the sink and take a few sips every time you wash your hand during the day. Carry a water bottle with you so you can grab a sip whenever you want. And drinking a glass of water with each meal helps improve this daily wellness habit.
Sleep
Adults need seven to nine hours a sleep a night. Lack of sleep not only makes you feel tired, being sleepy lowers your concentration and can lead to mistakes, accidents, and injury. Develop better sleep habits by going to bed every night at the same time, even on the weekends.
Try relaxing before bed by drinking a calming tea or by meditating. Stretching before can also make you feel more relaxed and ready for sleep.
Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that help protect your body against disease. Scientists believe that supplementing your body’s normal good bacteria with probiotics can help improve your digestion and immune system and may even help you fight disease. Probiotics can be found in certain foods that you can eat as snacks or part of a meal, and in supplements and health drinks. Adding probiotics to your diet can help you feel better so you can be more active and improve other wellness habits.
Me Time
Taking time for yourself is a wellness habit that is good for your body, mind, and spirit. Your schedule should include time for yourself. Me time is as necessary as meetings, appointments, and chores, so write it in your planner! Make your time more valuable by meditating, reading positive books, or doing a hobby you enjoy every day.
Take a Rest Day
Getting caught in a cycle of over-exercising or trying to stick to an overly strict diet can backfire when your body can’t keep up, or you binge on unhealthy foods. Listen to your body when you need a break.
For example, switch out high-impact cardio exercises for yoga or walking when you’re ill. Follow an exercise plan or diet that allows you to make choices depending on your physical and mental health each day.
Have a Morning Routine
You can improve your daily wellness habits by incorporating many of these suggestions into a morning routine. Starting your day with a glass of water, meditation, stretching, and exercise, and eating a healthy breakfast you prepared yourself, gives you energy for the day ahead. Knowing that you’ve already completed many of your daily wellness habits gives you a sense of accomplishment to start your day.