My eyes pop open in the morning and as my feet hit the ground, I know I am ready to take on the world. There’s a lot to do! Are you up for it? It’s a lot easier to take on that world if you are supporting your body with healthy habits. Are your habits supporting a healthy lifestyle? There is no one habit or supplement that will give you health, but your habits can either support it or hurt it.
I see some of you have already incorporated a lot of healthy habits and you are just peeking in on the article as you drink your organic coffee with medicinal mushrooms and ghee. Check to see if you have adopted all of the list. These healthy habits are a reminder but for some of you this is where you get started. These are the steps you start making to incorporate healthy lifestyle choices that will mean noticeable changes.
These aren’t goals that you can give up on after you reach a certain number, and they aren’t a resolution either. Most people give up on their resolutions before the end of January. Habits are something you do regularly and don’t give up on.
These are healthy habits you should have already and if you don’t, then today is the day to get started. Not tomorrow or next week. Today!
1) Getting to Bed Earlier
Getting to bed between 9 and 10 is an important first step in developing better sleep habits. Getting plenty of sleep is important but it needs to be quality sleep. The time you go to sleep should follow a healthy circadian rhythm and allow for optimal hormone production. Getting to bed earlier leads to a better snooze. Your body heals when you’re sleeping and if you aren’t getting good sleep consistently, then it is hard to be healthy.
2) Staying Hydrated
While most of us have easy access to water, we aren’t staying properly hydrated which is important for a number of physiological functions. You have probably heard that 70-80% of your body is made of water. If you aren’t properly hydrated, almost every cellular process in your body decreases. Make it a habit to drink water throughout the day and avoid hydration mistakes. This will keep you hydrated and also make those sugary beverages less tempting.
3) Eating a Variety of Whole, Healthy Foods (and Avoiding Inflammatory Foods)
Don’t get overwhelmed reading the boxes of foods to see what types of ingredients there are and if there are any of your allergies. Keep it simple and avoid the processed foods with a healthy diet of whole foods. Remember to avoid other inflammatory foods like sugar, dairy, and grains. Don’t think about all the foods you can’t have but explore all the possibilities of those you can have. Make sure you are eating high quality protein with more vegetables than fruits. As you add more nutritious foods, start checking out superfoods like goji berries, medicinal mushrooms, maca, and camu camu.
4) Buying Organic When Possible
Organic foods are an investment worth making because they skip the synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Numerous reports show organic foods have higher levels of certain nutrients. Pesticide use has only been increasing and that means more pesticide exposure. Common pesticides have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, birth defects, nervous system toxicity, and antibiotic resistance. They are bad for gut and brain health. Nearly 70% of conventional produce is contaminated with a pesticide residue and some have many more. If you aren’t ready to go full organic than start by skipping the dirty dozen which are identified by the Environmental Working Group as conventionally farmed produce with the highest pesticide residues.
5) Regular Visits for Chiropractic Adjustments
Does this one surprise you? Of course, visiting the chiropractor is a healthy habit! One you should already be doing! This isn’t just for when you are in pain. Getting a chiropractic adjustment can address the big and little traumas our bodies encounter regularly before they start causing noticeable pain. Removing any subluxations allows the body to heal while supporting a healthy nervous system.
6) Moving Daily
We can’t have a list of healthy habits without movement. The body needs movement, but our society is spending more and more time sitting. Exercise is so important to maintaining the function of your body, detoxification, and it helps to reduce stress. It doesn’t have to be overly rigorous. Enjoy a walk with friends or yoga. The heart pumping workouts are a great habit that you might just get addicted to once you start doing them regularly.
7) Planning and Preparing Meals in Advance
Eating healthy every day is a habit that’s easier with planning. Need tips for planning your healthy meals? Don’t wait until you are so hungry that you make a poor diet choice. Make sure your refrigerator and cupboards are stocked with healthy foods. Cut up fruits and vegetables so they are ready for snacks and smoothies. Make Sundays a meal prep day, so you have everything you need during the week. Double the ingredients for healthy recipes so you have enough for a meal for now and a freezer meal for later.
8) Making Time for the Outdoors
We all feel great after time in nature and it’s the best way to get your daily dose of vitamin D. A 2018 report suggested making a habit of spending time in nature could improve your overall health and reduce your risk for a number of illnesses. There are a number of healthy benefits of getting outside and it’s a great habit to have.
9) Focusing on Your Priorities
We are all given a certain amount of time, but it is what we do with it that makes the difference. Knowing when to say no is possible when you know and understand your priorities. This helps to eliminate stress which is the number one contributing destroyer of health. By making a habit of focusing on your priorities you can build a healthy, productive life.
Healthy Habits for a Healthy Lifestyle
The best way to get a healthy lifestyle isn’t by giving something up or depriving yourself. It’s about adding to your life. Have you added these healthy habits? If you haven’t then what are you waiting for? Don’t wait, make these healthy habits today!
Written by Dr. Patrick Flynn
