50 Healthy Habits You Can Begin Today
If you're like most moms, you're always looking for ways to improve your health and well-being. But between work, family responsibilities, and other commitments, finding the time to focus on yourself can be challenging. I put together a list of 50 healthy habits you can start today. Whether you want to eat better, exercise, or relax more often, this list has something for you. So take a look and choose one or two habits that resonate with you. Then get started making positive changes in your life!
Eat breakfast daily.
Breakfast is the fuel to get you and your metabolism going for the day. Opt for fresh juices, fruits, and whole grains to give your body the kickstart for an energized and productive day.
Eat healthy foods.
Eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant-based protein, and healthy fats is essential. Sticking to a primarily plant-based diet reduces your risk of chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Drink plenty of water.
Drinking water daily is essential because it helps your body function properly.
Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day.
Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine is vital for maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your risk of chronic diseases.
Get enough sleep each night.
Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night is vital to give you the energy you need to start your day.
Journal daily.
Daily journaling allows you to express your thoughts, improving your communication skills. Learning to journal takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, your physical and mental health and well-being can significantly improve.
Limit alcohol intake.
Not only does alcohol weaken your immune system, but it negatively affects your whole body and can cause multiple chronic diseases.
Eat healthy snacks throughout the day.
Contrary to popular belief, snacking is not bad for you. Choosing healthy snacks and an appropriate eating time could increase your metabolism and keep you from operating in a calorie deficit.
Avoid processed foods.
Too many processed foods lead to serious health issues like obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It could also look like fibroids, hormonal issues, and extreme menstrual pain for women.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Increasing fruit and vegetables in your diet reduces your risk of developing chronic illnesses, boosts your immune system, and has many other benefits.
Cut back on or eliminate sugar.
Reducing sugar in your diet can reduce your risk of depression, help you have clear skin, reduce inflammation, and dissolve belly fat.
Avoid fried foods.
Fried foods are high in saturated fat and trans fat; they promote plaque buildup in arteries, putting you at risk for coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.
Limit or eliminate red meat consumption.
Eating red meat increases your risk for cancer and causes inflammation, diabetes, kidney failure, and many other health problems.
Incorporate healthy fats into your diet.
Healthy fats help absorb vitamins, make you feel full so you don't overeat, speed up your metabolism, and help regulate your blood sugar.
Get regular health screenings.
Health screenings detect problems early when chances for successful treatment are greatest. Regular health screenings could prevent many diagnoses , as your doctor recommends.
Manage stress levels.
Managing stress levels can lower your risk for heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and depression.
Take breaks throughout the day.
Taking breaks throughout the day can increase productivity by helping you focus on the task.
Stretch regularly.
Stretching daily increases your range of motion, improves your posture, and eases your mind.
Practice deep breathing exercises.
Deep breathing sounds easy but takes practice. Once you get the hang of it, deep breathing heals everything from head to toe.
Meditate or do yoga.
Meditation and yoga improve flexibility and balance or calm the mind and body.
Hire a personal trainer.
A personal trainer can give you the advice, support, motivation, and tools to reach your fitness goals.
Connect with nature.
Connecting with nature can help you be happier, promote calmness, joy, and creativity, and facilitate concentration.
Spend time with loved ones.
Spending time with loved ones can make you feel safe and secure, build self-esteem, and reduce stress.
Volunteer for a cause you hold dear to your heart.
Volunteering releases endorphins and boosts happiness.
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
An attitude of gratitude helps you feel happier, more positive, and more compassionate with yourself.
Practice random acts of kindness.
Practicing acts of kindness can increase oxytocin, a hormone that makes you feel connected to other people.
Forgive others – and yourself.
Forgiveness towards yourself and others can lead to healthier relationships with yourself and others, improved mental health, and decreased anxiety, stress, and hostility.
Avoid negative self-talk.
Negative self-talk leads to a lack of motivation, depression, and helplessness.
Embrace your imperfections.
Self-acceptance allows you to be free. Letting go of the need to conform to the unrealistic standards you set for yourself, to be free to lead a meaningful life.
Build healthy relationships.
Healthy relationships increase your level of happiness and your sense of worth and help you feel loved and accepted.
Stand up for yourself.
Standing up for yourself gives a voice to your wants, needs, and desires, freeing up your mind and time.
Set boundaries with others.
Setting boundaries shows others your limitations and how you like to be treated.
Say “no” when needed.
Saying “no” helps you decide where and where you want to spend your time and energy.
Seek professional help if needed.
Seeking professional help allows you to find answers to problems on your own.
Make time for yourself.
Making time for yourself reduces stress, improves health, and helps you have a better overall quality of life.
Do something you enjoy every day.
Plain and simple, doing something you enjoy daily will make you happy.
Take a break from social media.
Taking a social media break can boost your mood and reduce stress, anxiety, depression, or feelings of loneliness.
Unplug from technology periodically.
Unplugging from all technology periodically can help you increase focus and recharge mentally.
Read more books.
Besides learning something new, reading improves focus, memory, and empathy.
Spend time outside every day.
Spending time outside daily boosts your mood, promotes better rest, and increases vitamin D intake.
Go for walks or runs regularly.
Running and walking help clear your mind of unwanted thoughts, calm you, and boost your mood.
Ride your bike instead of driving.
Riding your bike strengthens your cardiovascular strength, lowers the resting pulse, reduces blood fat levels, and reduces blood pressure.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Taking the stairs improves muscular and cardiovascular strength and can help with weight management.
Park further away from your destination.
Parking further away is an easy way to increase your daily step count.
Invest in a standing desk.
A standing desk gets you moving more throughout the day, reduces back pain, boosts metabolism, and increases the probability of a pain-free workday by 80%.
Use a fitness tracker.
A fitness tracker can help your stick to your health and wellness goals by seeing your progress and areas of improvement.
Join a gym or workout group.
Joining a gym or workout group can increase your motivation to stick to your health and wellness goals because you will be around like-minded people and make new accountability friends.
Pick up a new hobby.
Hobbies can have many benefits, such as relieving stress, promoting happiness, being a social outlet, and providing a new challenge to overcome.
Participate in a sport.
Sports require you to move your body, help you organize your time, provide opportunities to make new friendships, and may even relieve stress.
Try a new healthy recipe each week.
Variation in your meals is a fun way to increase your nutrient intake, discover new flavors, and get your children to try something new.
There they are, 50 healthy habits you can start today. Some will be easy to implement, but others may take more effort, but all are worth trying. Why not pick one or two? Your body will thank you for it!
