Living a healthy lifestyle does not have to be hard. It really does not. All it takes is the right mindset and one step at a time.
There is no better time to change your life than now. Instilling good daily healthy habits into your life can add up to monumental change.Change doesn’t happen overnight, it starts with small daily habits that are done everyday that add up.
Drop by drop is the water pot filled. -Buddha
I think as humans there are several needs that need to be met to feel whole, to feel fulfilled, to feel joy. And those needs can be divided into physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
I have created a list of 31 habits that fall into each of these categories so that each need is being met.
And while 31 habits may seem overwhelming, I challenge you to start small and start with one habit a month and go from there. The point of instilling these habits is for growth and change and to live a healthier lifestyle, it is not to be overwhelming.
This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Read disclosure here for more info.
Habits for Physical Well-Being
#1. Go to Bed Early
I know it’s been said over and over but it needs to be said again. Getting good quality sleep is truly the foundation of health.
Going to bed late reduces your body’s ability to regenerate itself during the sleep cycle.
I highly recommend Why We sleep by Matthew Walker to discover why sleep is so important. It is fascinating, mind blowing and will change the way you think about sleep.
#2. Drink More Water
If you are feeling sluggish day to day try to up your intake of water and see how you feel.
Check out the best water bottle to carry around here
#3. Cut out Sugar
Easier said than done I know. I love my coffee a tad bit sweetened, but ever since I have cut out sugar I started feeling much better. I have had less brain fog, weight loss, and better sleep.
#4. Drink a tall glass of warm lemon water in the morning
Drinking warm lemon water has been proven to kickstart your metabolism, boost your immune system and digestive system, and stimulate your overall well-being.
#5. Freeze bananas, blueberries and other fruit to readily have available for healthy smoothies.
#6. Eat More Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Chronic inflammation in the body can lead to disease such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer if not addressed. Start eating more anti-inflammatory foods daily to reduce inflammation. AND THIS SMOOTHIE is so creamy and indulgent you will want to drink it everyday.
#7. Start dry brushing
Lymphatic brushing has numerous benefits. It stimulates lymphatic drainage and helps remove excess toxins that are in the lymph. These toxins can affect your health if it is not removed.
Get your dry brush here
#8. Eat More Foods Rich in Trytophan
You are what you eat! eat more foods rich in tryptophan which is a precursor to serotonin aka the HAPPY hormone. Foods includes nuts, seeds, eggs and dark chocolate. Eat more foods that help produce dopamine like these dopamine rich foods and this serotonin and dopamine boosting BANANA SPLIT recipe.
Also you need to try this healthy banana split recipe full of mood boosting ingredients.
My favorite dark chocolate at any time of the day, sometimes for breakfast or put into my overnight oats
#9. Walk at least 10k Steps a day
Walking is shown to reduce weight and stress at the same time. Aiming to walk at least 10k steps a day is one simple habit to implement to enhance your physical health.
#10. Start picking up the Weights
One of my fitness mistakes was not ever picking up the weights. Don’t be afraid to pick up those dumbbells at the gym. It won’t make you look like a man or make you look bulky, in fact it will aid in weight loss, reduce your risk of injury, back pain and osteoporosis and really enhance your entire physique.
Check out this article to learn more about strength training and the many benefits
#11. Meal Prep for the Week
Preparing meals for the week saves you so much time, energy and money during the week. It helps you stay on track with your fitness goals and helps you lose those few extra pounds.
Check these out!
#12. Stretch and Incorporate Yoga/Pilates
Keeping our bodies flexible and limber can prevent injury and pain in the future. As we get older we become flexible and because of that we are prone to injury.
Try this 30 day Yoga Challenge with Adrienne
#13. Eat Nourishing Foods
Every meal should serve your body with plenty of nutrients and minerals. Try to stay away from empty calories and foods that will leave you sluggish and de motivated. Be intentional with what you put into your body and treat it with the utmost care.
Habits for Mental & Emotional Well-being
#14. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is the attitude.
Studies have shown that showing and expressing gratitude everyday can lead to happiness and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. What you focus on grows, so if you focus on gratitude, that will multiply. Start by writing in a gratitude journal.
Check out this amazing gratitude journal here:
#15. Organize your Space
A cluttered space is a cluttered mind. Remove any and all items that make the space more cluttered and messy.
#16. Read More, Scroll Less
You know that feeling when you have just scrolled on instagram for one hour? It’s not a great feeling to say the least. Spending too much time on social media can negatively impact your mental health. Instead spend some time reading books!
Check some books I absolutely could not put down :
#17. Get Outside Every Single Day
There are so many benefits to being outdoors even if it’s just for ten minutes. Soak in your surrounding environment and take a deep breath of fresh air. It does wonders for your headspace.
#18. Let it Out, Its better out than In
When you’re feeling uncertain about a certain situation or feeling, talk and speak it out loud with someone. Holding something in will do more harm than good in the long run.
#19. Don’t Plant your bad Days
I once read this somewhere and it’s stuck with me ever since. Planting your bad days is equivalent to planting a rotten seed. The plant will not be fruitful.
So acknowledge you had a bad day, reflect on it, figure out what could have been done better but don’t dwell on it.
#20. Try not to take things so personally
When someone insults you or degrades you or treats you in a less than humane way don’t take it personally. The problem is with them, not you. Try not to absorb any insults coming your way and just brush it off. It is not a reflection of you.
#21. Smile More, Laugh Often
Just smiling can improve your mood instantly and turn your mood around. Sometimes the day moves so fast that you forget to smile. Or you are so stressed that you forget to smile. But try smiling when you are passing someone or just while you’re making your coffee in the morning.
#22. Instead of complaining find a solution
Seek to find the good in everything, cause most times there always is a silver lining. As humans we are inclined to think negatively and complain but really train your mind to seek a solution instead of seeking to complain.
#23. Let go of things you can’t control and focus on what you can control
So many things in this life are out of our control and we try our best to want to have control over everything but we don’t and we never will.
We can and we should focus on things we can control like our lifestyle, sleep, who we can interact with, what we watch, what we eat etc. There are so many things we can control that have a tremendous impact in our day to day lives.
“The more you let go, the higher you rise.” Yasmin Mogahed
Habits for Spiritual Well-Being
#24. Find Time for your faith
Set times for prayer throughout the day.
#25. Stay positive in a negative world
Focus on the positive in this world and it will grow. What you focus on grows.
#26. Believe that life is happening for you not to you
Everything you face in this life is happening for a reason and that alone is reassuring and can get you through hard times.
#27. Volunteer
Reach out to your local community and join a volunteer organization. Helping others give you a sense of purpose and gratitude. I have recently started volunteering at a local farm. To say that it has been the best decision I have made this year is an understatement. There are so many volunteering opportunities that can you a renowned sense of adventure and freedom.
#28. Spend time in nature
Being in nature helps you disconnect and forget about your day to day troubles
#29. Meditate
Meditating comes in so many forms. Try starting your day off with mindfulness and setting intentions.
#30. Keep a Journal
Journaling has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and sadness. Writing down your thoughts and emotions is a simple yet powerful habit to start.
Check out this Tree of life Journal Here
#31. Just Start Today, for a better tomorrow!
Let me know what you think in the comments below!
