We would all like to feel happier and healthier, both metals and physically and that healthy habits are important. The question is, which healthy habits should we be implementing? Here are some simple and essential habits that we all need in our lives to make our lives better.
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Table Of Contents
Drink More Water
Now this one is not going to come as a shocker, we all know that we need to hydrate more, yet so many of us just don’t manage it. The problem is that failing to drink enough can leave us feeling less energised, give you headaches and even leave us overeating when confusing hunger and thirst.
So how do we making hydrating a habit? By having the right liquid in the right container.
Temperature Check
Start by asking yourself how you actually like your water. Do you prefer it room temperature? Super cold? Somewhere in between? Asking yourself this basic question and drinking your water at a temperature you prefer will actually help you to drink more.
The Right Container
In order to properly hydrate, you need to have access to water at all times in a container that suits the situation. Now you can just go basic and have a glass of water with you, but realistically this is not portable when on the go, leaves you open to spillages (especially if you are a parent of tiny humans) and won’t keep your drink at your preferred temperature. Here are some drinks containers that I’d recommend instead.
Insulated Cup With Metal Straw
This is the cup I use at my desk & in the car. It’s ideal because it keep my drink cold and minimises spillages.
Chilly Bottle
Chilly bottles are ideal for out and about as they not only keep liquids cold, but they are leak proof so can be slung in a bag. I also use these at the side of the bed for water at night.
Clear Bottle
These Systema bottles are perfect for leaving in the fridge to keep drinks cold. It also helps to prompt you to drink more as they are clear.
Find Your Flavour
Some people (me included) are far more likely to actually hydrate with a little flavour to enhance the water. While I wouldn’t advocate choosing something full of sugar or empty calories to do this, there are lots of options that will add a fun flavour and even additional benefits to you fluids.
You can go for a basic no added sugar squash that you can find in any supermarket, or even a shot of water enhancer. These are highly concentrated and fit in your bag for when you are on the go.
Personally I’m a fan of Burst sachets from exante and genuinely use them every day. Add them to 500ml of water for added flavour, plus multivitamins and a dash of caffeine to wake you up (although they offer caffeine free versions too).
If you’re finding it hard to keep on track of how much water you are glugging, try using a water tracker for a few days to see how you are getting on.
Move Your Body
Again, this is not brand new information as we all know that exercising is a healthy habit, yet for many of us, fitting it into our lives just doesn’t happen.
Walk It Off
What you need to realise is that “formal exercise” where you are head to toe in gym kit and sweating it out is not the only way to incorporate exercise into your life. The simplest, easiest and most manageable way to fit in exercise is to just take more steps each day. Walking more by leaving the car or parking further away, can really increase your step count. Taking the stairs rather than a lift and walking rather than sitting while catching up with a friend as simple ways to incorporate this habit.
What Gets Measures Gets Done
If you want to increase your step count, start by finding out what your step count is. You can choose a basic and inexpensive fitness tracker like these that my children have (they love competing with each other to see who moved more each day). For a more comprehensive fitness solution that is ideal for not just walking but in depth fitness tracking, I love my Apple Watch.
Choose Wisely
If you are going to take up more formal exercise, choose exercise you love rather than than something that’s a chore. If you hate running (like me) then going for a run will always feel like an uphill struggle, no matter how flat the route. I cannot tell you how many times I have “taken up running” just to chuck it in a few weeks later because I just can’t stand it.
Choose a sport or activity that you actually enjoy. Whether it’s team sports, dance classes or climbing, if you enjoy it, you’ll find the motivation to stick to it.
Establish A Morning Routine
Carve out a routine to start your day the right way. Get into the habit of starting your day on your terms and your whole day will be more positive. Check out my morning routine videos and resources below.
Sleep
Make getting enough sleep a habit. There are lots of components to this including looking at your evening routine, your bedroom sleeping environment and your sleep quality. Check out my sleep resources below to improve your sleep.
Surround Yourself With People That Inspire You
You are the average of the 5 people with which you spend the most time. Who are these people? They could be online or in real life. Do they encourage and inspire you? If you don’t have people that uplift you, seek them out. Get in touch with that friend that makes you smile that you haven’t seen in ages. There are plenty of people that you can follow online to sprinkle positivity into your day.
Distance Yourself From Those Who Drain You
This may seem obvious, but you might need to hear it.
You are allowed to distance yourself from people who negatively impact your day, your mood and your mental health. If these people are online and having them in your feed triggers you or drags you down, unfollow or mute them. If these people are in your “real life” it can be more tricky, but do to feel that you are stuck with them. Whether these people are in your work, your social circle or your family, once you have identified these energy suckers, you are allowed to limit your contact with them.
Create Before You Consume
As soon as you open your phone and check your email, social media and texts, you are immediately allowing someone else to impact your agenda and mood. Before engaging with the rest of the world, make a habit of doing something positive. This could be journalling, exercise, working on a goal or just sending a few quiet minutes with your own thoughts.
Saying No
If you are a people pleaser, this may be a habit you struggle with, but start saying “no” to things that you don’t want to do. As Marie Forleo says, in her inspiring book Everything Is Figureoutable, “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no”.
Fuel Your Body With Nourishing Food
In order to make a habit of eating in a way that fuels your body, you first need to make a habit of having these foods available to you. The best way to do this is to meal plan, then grocery shop accordingly to have healthy foods to hand when hunger hits.
Get Health Problems Checked Without Delay
Would you allow your child to have a health problem that went on and on without seeing a doctor? No, you wouldn’t. So when you have a heath concern, stop procrastinating and make a habit of contacting your doctor without delay.
Practice Gratitude
Make a habit of listing out things that you are grateful for every day to lift your mood. This can be done via journalling, using an app, taking photos or just taking time to list things in your mind.
Forgiveness
Forgiving those who have wronged us can be powerful and freeing. I’m not suggesting that you allow toxic people back into your life so that they can continue to treat you badly with no remorse, but mentally forgiving them and letting go of anger isn’t about them, it’s about you. Make forgiveness a habit and you will feel lighter and more free. If you have forgivemness work to get through because you have dealt with trauma, it may be something worth talking it through with a therapist.
Journaling
Journalling is an amazing habit to get into to organise your thoughts, process emotions and help you to achieve your goals. Check out my resources below for more about journalling.
Declutter Regularly
It can be hard to have a clam mind in a chaotic space, so make a habit of regularly decluttering, A decluttered home is easier to keep clean and tidy and can be less stressful to live in.
Surround Yourself With Things That Bring You Joy
Remember that we just have this one life, so make c choosing joy a habit! It can be so easy for the days and weeks to whiz by in a blur of business, so make a decision to choose joy. Say yes to that thing that you’d like to do but were going to duck out of. Carve out time for yourself. Wear your nice perfume. Cuddle your babies and be in the moment with them. Indulge in some you time and just do whatever makes you happy, because you deserve that.
Lose The Guilt
Most of us have a rather unhealthy habit of eating ourselves us, especially as parents. We need to realise (and I’m talking to myself as much as I’m talking to you here) that guilt achieves nothing. While I am all for leaning lessons from past mistakes, make a habit of letting go of guilt.
Ask For Help When You Need It
This one might be the most important healthy habit of all. When you need help, speak up and ask for it. Whether you need more help at home, at work, or with your physical or mental health, being brave enough to ask for the help you need and deserve is essential to feeling healthier and happier.
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