A lot of people have neglected their health in one way or another. Someone might be drinking alcohol every day, proclaiming “you only live once.” Another person might be consuming only instant foods because they don’t have enough time to cook for themselves. The consequences of poor health choices usually come much later in life. And at that point, these people will regret their actions.
Thus, people need to develop healthier habits before it’s too late. These habits don’t have to be grand. Even small habits, if done consistently, can lead to healthier lives. Below is a list of habits to consider if you want to live a healthier life:
Walk Every Day
It’s probably cliche at this point, but the best way to improve your health is still through regular exercise. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, becoming physically active again can be challenging. But it’s not impossible.
As mentioned earlier, you can start small. Eventually, you’ll get used to exercising the more you do it. One of the easiest options is walking. Go out and walk for at least 10 minutes per day. Walking regularly will help you strengthen your bones and muscles in your lower body and improve your balance. Your walking time can also be a way for you to get some fresh air and unwind, which can help you relieve stress.
Drink Lemon Water in the Morning
You can also develop the habit of drinking lemon water in the morning. Lemon water is a low-calorie beverage that can replace your sugary drinks in the morning.
Lemon has several known benefits. For example, it can help with metabolism, improve heart health, and reduce cancer risk. But some people are scared of this fruit because it’s known to affect teeth. For example, since lemon is acidic, it can contribute to tooth erosion if consumed in large quantities. Of course, there are many solutions to dental erosion if it does occur. You can undergo a dental crown procedure or dental bonding to protect your teeth.
But as long as you consume lemon water moderately and observe proper dental hygiene, you won’t have to worry much about your dental health.
Place Healthy Snacks Somewhere Visible
You can eat snacks when you feel like it. Sometimes, chewing on something can help you stay focused. But you should eat something healthy. Instead of eating candy bars and other sugary snacks, consume healthier options instead such as fruits and mixed nuts.
Put these healthy snacks out in the open, such as your dining table or coffee table in the living room. You can also keep a stash in your work area or bedroom. When the healthier snack options are easily visible and within your reach, you’re more likely to eat them. And based on that logic, you should also consider keeping your unhealthy snacks somewhere hidden.
Develop a Reading Habit
In a technology-driven world, fewer people are reading books for leisure. They’re focused on their phones and mindlessly scroll through their social media accounts for hours. If you’re in the same position, you should try developing a reading habit as soon as possible. Get a book that you’re interested in and read a few pages a day during a break or before you go to sleep.
Reading has an indirect effect on physical health. For example, reading is a stress-relieving activity. And you’ll get better sleep if you have lower stress levels. And if you’re not stressed all the time, you lower your risk of heart diseases.
Put Your Phone Away Before Bedtime
Adequate sleep is important at any age. With it, your brain will be able to function more properly. Getting enough sleep will also boost your immune system and strengthen your heart.
One thing that keeps you from getting sleep is your phone. The blue light in your phone screen hinders your body from producing melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle. Also, if you keep mindlessly scrolling, you won’t even notice time passing by and end up staying awake way past your bedtime.
To prevent this problem, you should stop using your phone at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. You should also activate the night shift mode of your phone to make your screen warmer.
Even though these habits are small, adopting one or more into your life can help you lead a healthier life. You need to start taking care of your body even while you’re young. You’ll be thankful to yourself when you grow older, instead of feeling regret.