5 Easy Hacks for a Healthier Life
Zhane Coleman
| 4 min read
Changing your daily routine is easier said than done. It can be difficult to adjust a routine once you’re comfortable with it. But sometimes our routines aren’t the healthiest because of our hectic schedules and convenience.
However, even with a busy schedule it’s still possible to live a healthy lifestyle. Here are five easy hacks to incorporate into your daily life to start living healthier now.
Change a habit, not the scale
Focus on implementing healthy behavior and changing your habits, not the scale. Here are some ideas to get started:
- Set realistic and healthy goals.
- Try healthier foods (see below for some healthy recipes to try)
- Eat a diet rich in vegetables.
- No foods are 100% off limits. Focus on eating the right portions to start.
- Put a meal plan together so you don’t veer off course when hunger strikes.
Try a healthier recipe
An easy and delicious way to improve your overall health is to make sure you’re incorporating the right foods into your dishes and getting the all the nutrients and benefits from your food that you can. A Healthier Michigan is ready to help you incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your everyday meals with these healthy and tasty recipes:
Add movement into your day
Exercise plays an important role in leading a healthy lifestyle. According to the Mayo Clinic regular physical activity has many benefits: weight control, it combats health conditions and disease, improves one’s mood, boosts energy, and promotes better sleep. Here are some hacks to help you incorporate physical activity into your day.
- Walk more: Walking is an easy way you can incorporate physical activity into your daily life without the pressures of time. Some simple ways to add more steps to your day are to opt for the stairs, park far away, walk when you’re on the phone, and set a timer to get up and move around for a few minutes every hour.
- Schedule workouts into your week and create a routine: Set aside days and times that you want to exercise to avoid the “there’s no time” excuse and hold yourself accountable. By setting aside time in your day for physical activity you can create a routine and soon exercising will become habitual.
- Switch up your workouts and find ways to make it fun: Don’t do the same workouts every time you exercise. Make sure to mix it up so that you’re exercising different parts of your body and so you don’t get bored. It’s also beneficial to find ways to make your workout enjoyable and fun by taking a class or following a YouTube video.
- Get a workout buddy: Finding a friend to work out with can make exercising seem more enticing and enjoyable. You’ll also have someone to keep you accountable.
Drink more water
Hydration plays an integral part in your health. Making sure that you are consuming enough water every day is an easy and effective way to lead a healthier life. According to the Mayo Clinic the average adult needs to take in about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women. Tips and tricks to stay hydrated:
- Make water the first drink of the day.
- Eat your water with a produce-heavy diet.
- Keep track of your hydration with an app or a smart water bottle.
- Pay attention to your urine. If you notice that your urine is a darker yellow than usual, chances are you’re dehydrated.
Slow down with guided meditation
Meditation is all about becoming in-tune with your thoughts and emotions. Meditation is one way that you can practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. Psychology Today describes this state as observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad. Science has shown that practicing mindfulness has many health benefits:
- Decreases negative thoughts
- Reduces stress
- Boosts the working memory
- Increases focus
- Better regulate emotions
If you’re looking for an introduction into mindfulness, check out this guided meditation to get you started.
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