A habit is something we do every day that we don’t even think about – for example, chewing our food or walking down the stairs. For the most part, habits help us. However, certain habits can be the culprits contributing to your poor health, low energy levels and bad moods.
So, whether we realise it or not, our habits have the power to “make or break us.” Healthy habits positively impact your physical and mental well-being and they may just be the ultimate secret to feeling happier and more fulfilled.
Here are five easy habits you can try starting today:
1. Prioritize Your Sleep
Try to go to bed at the same time, every day. This way, your body clock gets used to the time you unwind. Eating at least two hours before bedtime, taking a warm shower, drinking chamomile tea and taking a thirty-minute break from your cell phone, television or gadgets, can also help you relax easier into your night-time routine.
3. Get Enough Sun
When are bodies are exposed to sun, the brain releases a hormone called serotonin. This helps us feel relaxed. Sunlight also helps our bodies make Vitamin D, which is important for our bone health and immune system. Most experts recommend at least 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight at least two to three times per week. The best time would be before 10am or after 4pm, when the sun’s rays are not so direct.
5. Make Time to Move
Most fitness apps require that you get at least 10,000 steps into your daily routine. This might sound like a huge amount but it can be as easy as a combination of: making time for an evening walk, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and taking a longer trek from the car park to your destination. Other things you can do are: dancing, yoga or a team sport. When you move, your body releases chemicals called endorphins, which signal to the brain that “all is well” and this helps improve your mood.
2. Digital Detox
On a daily basis, most of us are bombarded by technology and social media updates. Taking a “digital detox” – where you turn off your devices for a period of time, can help you not only “stay in the moment” but also get a much-needed mental break. A good time to do this is during your meal times or at certain times during the weekend.
4. Choose Healthier Snacks
Hectic days and hunger pangs sometimes cause us to eat the nearest snack we can find. This could often be candy, chips, cakes, fried foods and sugary drinks. Having a stash of healthier options, can help us make better choices – which can reduce weight gain or the lethargic feeling we get, after a poor snack choice! Some healthier snack choices are: fruit, vegetable sticks, air-popped popcorn, nuts, yogurt, olives, dark chocolate, hard boiled eggs and oatmeal.
