Kai KahaleLife can be such a beautiful journey, right? But what’s able to truly make it best would be maintaining good health. While this isn’t necessarily the secret to a happy life, it’s definitely one of the key parts of it. Small changes in your daily routine can make a significant difference in your overall well-being. So, with that said, let’s explore the top ten healthy habits that can lead to a happier life, how you can incorporate them, and where to find more information.
Prioritize Quality Sleep
It’s so important to understand that sleep is the foundation of good health. Plus, quality sleep is what improves everything: your memory, mood, cognitive function, and, of course, your physical health, too. So, that’s why it’s best to try and aim for around 7-9 hours of sleep per night. But what about the quality of sleep itself? Well, to improve sleep quality, establish a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. It might not be ideal, but physically speaking, you’ll feel a lot better.
But how do you create the environment? Well, all you have to do is just keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. It’s best to avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime, as the blue light emitted by phones and computers can interfere with your sleep.
It might be best to consider adopting a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing gentle yoga. For more tips on improving your sleep, check out resources from the National Sleep Foundation.
Stay Hydrated
As you already know, drinking enough water is essential for maintaining energy levels, supporting digestion, and keeping your skin healthy. So it’s best to try and aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, more if you’re active or live in a hot climate. You can’t go wrong with carrying a reusable water bottle with you either.
Have a Consistent Exercise Routine
You need those endorphins, that’s one of the biggest components to having a happier and healthier life! It’s not so much the physical challenge or exercising, rather, it’s the mental challenge you have to overcome.
It’s best to try and incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or cycling, into your daily routine. It’s even going to help if you were to mix it up with strength training exercises a few times a week to keep your muscles and bones strong.
Yes, even small amounts of physical activity can make a difference, so find ways to move more throughout the day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a walk during your lunch break. There’s just plenty of options, so you don’t need to feel limited at all.
Eat a Balanced Diet
This is similar to exercising; it’s more of a mental challenge. While yes junk food is tempting, you should only eat it in moderation. It might help to experiment with meal planning and prepping to make healthy eating easier and more enjoyable. For example, try incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables into your meals to ensure you’re getting a range of nutrients. Overall, avoid processed food and try to eat only whole foods.
Stay Mentally Active
Did you know that keeping your brain active is just as important as physical exercise? So that’s why you need to try and engage in activities that challenge your mind, such as reading, puzzles, or learning a new skill. Overall, lifelong learning keeps your brain sharp and can delay cognitive decline. You might even want to consider taking up a new hobby, like playing a musical instrument, knitting, or gardening.
Limit Screen Time
It seems this one doesn’t get recommended enough! It’s so important to keep in mind that excessive screen time, especially social media, can have awful impacts on mental health. Instead, look into activities you can do without a screen (and yes, that involves staying away from the TV). For example, look into reading a book or playing a board game.
Get Regular Health Check-Ups
You need to have annual appointments with your GP, and you need to have bi-annual appointments with your dentist. You have to stay informed about necessary screenings and this is the best way to focus on preventative health, too.
Practice Mindfulness Meditation
You don’t need a lot of time in your day to do this; it’s just something you need to gradually incorporate into your routine. Ideally, you’ll want to start with just a few minutes a day, focusing on your breath and letting go of distractions. Then, you’ll want to gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice. There are numerous apps and online resources to guide you. Headspace is a popular option to get started with meditation.
Foster Only Positive Relationships
Toxic relationships aren’t good for you; they’re not good for your physical health or your mental health either. Instead, only spend time and interact with those that nurture positivity.
Practice Gratitude
Last but certainly not least, you should try and practice gratitude on a daily basis! In fact, cultivating gratitude can significantly improve your mood and overall outlook on life. Just try and take time each day to reflect on the things that you’re grateful for, and it might even help to use a gratitude journal or an app.
Start the Transformation Today!
Overall, it’s about improving the quality of your life, and this is definitely the best way to go about it; just try and start small and then gradually add more and more, and just remember that all of these are means to boost your happiness!
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