You deserve a standing ovation for getting a head start on your wellness goals. Most people wait until January 1st to start making healthy lifestyle changes, but you’re way ahead of the game. Still, you can always add a few healthy habits to your everyday routine as you wrap up the year.
Read on for five small health habits to change before the New Year (that’ll really give you something to celebrate).
#1 Step It Up
You don’t have to run a marathon to be healthy, but you should try and increase your daily step count. Most experts recommend taking 10,000 steps per day, which is equivalent to about five miles.
Don’t let this number intimidate you!
It’s actually surprisingly easy to clock 10,000 steps just through low-intensity exercise and daily movement—even simple things like vacuuming, grocery shopping, and getting up between (virtual) meetings to make coffee or refill your water bottle.
#2 Addition, Not Subtraction
For many people, the idea of physical wellness sparks thoughts of limitation and restriction when it comes to food.
Good news: this doesn’t have to be the case—and quite honestly, it shouldn’t be.
Changing your mindset around eating to focus on the healthy food you can have instead of the unhealthy foods you can’t have will make a world of difference. Instead of swearing off chocolate or cake (who wants to live without those?), try adding the following healthy staples into your diet:
- Fruits and vegetables of every color (yup, even purple eggplant)
- Whole grains, including bread, pasta, and rice
- Lean protein, like fish and poultry
- Heart-healthy fats, such as olive oil
#3 Supplement Your Wellness (With Supplements)
Making smart food and exercise choices are great ways to incorporate healthy habits into your lifestyle. However, there’s another incredibly easy step you can take to boost your overall well-being.
Supplements are a great way to ensure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs. Plus, wellness supplements are quick, surefire ways to ward off harmful issues like vitamin deficiencies. Incorporate a multivitamin or all-encompassing capsule into your morning routine, right after your first cup of coffee and before you sit down for work.
But remember, tell your doctor before you start any kind of vitamin regimen.
#4 Make Time for Meditation
Making healthy changes is about being good to your brain, too. Meditation has a plethora of mental health benefits that can help you feel your best. From relieving anxiety to providing you with time to focus on your goals, adding meditation to your routine can be extremely beneficial.
Meditation only requires a few minutes out of your day, and there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started if you’re new to the practice. Try using handy meditation apps (we are in the age of technology, after all), including these fan-favorites:
- Calm
- Headspace
- Simple Habit
- Buddhify
#5 Jump into Journaling
Journaling is another tried and true way to boost your mental health. The best part is, there are absolutely no rules when it comes to journaling.
Write down your hopes, fears, goals, or even just interesting thoughts—ten years from now, you’ll be glad to know that you were really into Anime fanfics or thought Brad Pitt was, to be frank, a little overrated.
Whether you want to dedicate ten minutes each morning to some quality time with your journal, or you want it to be the last thing you do before you go to bed, there’s never a bad time to get your thoughts down on paper.
Small Changes Mean Big Results
If you put the tips above into practice from now until the New Year, you’ll be surprised at how great you feel by the time the big celebration rolls around. Your overall health is determined by your small, day to day habits, so prioritizing these changes is one of the best things you can do.
If you think you need something to keep you accountable, consider a habit tracker app! It’s a great way to remind yourself of what’s important.
Get excited for a happy, healthy New Year!