Many of us procrastinate when it comes to starting new habits. Many reasons exist for this – you may not have the time, or it might be a busy time, or there is a celebration or holiday coming up. It could also seem too stressful or difficult, or your partner or family won’t support it.
We’d like you to consider this idea: instead of a constant cycle of restrictive or punishing diets or detoxing following a period of excessive gluttony or overindulgence, what if your health habits could be maintained every day of the year? What if maintaining healthy habits was effortless?
These 10 healthy habits are simple, straightforward and inexpensive. They don’t follow any diet fad. These 10 health habits are simple and easy to follow. You can begin implementing them as soon as you finish reading this article.
Today is the day.
Drink water.
Our health is dependent on water. Water keeps us hydrated and aids digestion, eliminates waste, keeps skin and joints soft, and transports nutrients, hormones, and chemical signals throughout the body. Confused as to the best water to drink? Here are all the options you need to consider.
Start the day with a glass of water and a teaspoon of lemon juice. This will help kickstart your digestion, promote detoxification, and alkalize your body. Since some people struggle to drink enough water during the day, starting the day with a glass of water will hydrate you and encourage you to drink even more!
For the best results, use freshly squeezed lemon juice. (Please do not use juice in a bottle shaped like a lemon.) You can juice several lemons and store the juice in the refrigerator if you don’t want to squeeze and cut lemons each morning. The juice will last about a week and can be used in other recipes, such as salad dressings and other condiments.
Fill up several water bottles, or set an alarm on your phone to remind you. There are many ways to make your water more exciting, such as adding fruit or spices.
Move your body each day.
Our bodies were not designed to spend all day in front of a computer. Sorry to break the bad news, but thumbing on your smartphone does not count as exercise.
Exercise is good for our health. While working up a great sweat is beneficial (remember that our skin is the largest organ of elimination), gentle exercises every day help to improve circulation, oxygenate our tissues, and improve our mood. You can get moving by walking, cycling or rebounding. Also, you can dance, swim, do yoga, or any other exercise that you like.
At least one green food per day
Green foods, such as dark leafy vegetables, cruciferous veggies, seaweeds and green herbs, like parsley, dill, mint and dill, are packed with nutrients that promote our health.
Green-pigmented foods contain antioxidants, healthy fats and fibre, anticancer compounds, amino acid, antiinflammatory phytochemicals and minerals that build blood. They are like a multivitamin. You’ll find a variety of green foods that you can use in your daily meals.
Check out this article for some ideas on how to use them.
Pack your lunch.
Pack yourself lunches and snacks if you work or attend school outside of your home. This will help to maintain your blood sugar level and your health goals. You’ll also save a lot of money! Healthy lunches don’t need to be complicated. Choose easy recipes like Mason jar salads and soups, fruit and fresh vegetables, or dips or spreads.
Reduce your consumption of refined sugar
Sugary foods can be a real scourge on our health. They are linked to diabetes, heart disease, cancer and hormonal imbalances. It is difficult to break this bad habit! It can change your life.
These tips can help you overcome sugar cravings. Allow yourself some time to cut back on sugar if you need to.
Try one of these natural sugar substitutes and use less.
Eat more vegetables.
You’ll want more vegetables whether you’re a vegan, Paleo, or omnivore. Fresh vegetables are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, which can help support optimal health.
It’s easier to say than do, particularly if you let your broccoli and Brussels Sprouts languish on the crisper. How can you include more vegetables in your diet, without having to cook? These 14 tips will help you learn to enjoy vegetables more and eat them in greater quantities.
Prepare meals in advance or cook them in batches for convenience.
It’s not cooking that’s the secret to a healthy diet, it’s prepping your meals and cooking in bulk. When you have your ingredients ready, it is easier to make a meal in one pot, toss something into the Instant Pot or slow cooker, or to assemble a dinner without a recipe. You can defrost your recipes and then reheat them if you have batch cooked.
Healthy habits can be developed in the kitchen.
Protein sources of high quality are a great way to fuel your body.
Some of us do not get enough protein. It helps to build immunity, blood, bones, teeth and hair. Protein also gives us energy. If you are struggling to get enough protein in your diet, try these 21 ways to increase it!
You should choose your protein sources very carefully, especially if you consume animal products. We recommend buying organic animal proteins, preferably from local farmers you trust. Choose organic, non GMO soy and raw, organic seeds and nuts to avoid pesticides if you decide on plant-based proteins.
These tricks will help you make beans, nuts, and seeds more digestible. Soak them, then cook them.
Use leftover food to your advantage.
If you want to cook from scratch every day, it can be overwhelming. You have to prepare three different meals plus two snacks. That’s over 30 recipes a week! Learn to give leftovers and ingredients a new lease of life to save time and money. Plus, turning leftovers into new dishes helps reduce food waste.
Find out how to use leftovers in a variety of ways.
Practice gratitude.
Gratitude improves sleep, reduces stress and enhances relationships. Here are some great tips on how to practice gratitude. Think about what you’re grateful for – food, friends, family, partners, parents and children. You can either write down your gratitude in a list that you can refer to as a reminder or use post-it notes around the home. Write someone a letter of gratitude to express your gratitude for them in your life.