After the absolute longest and most challenging year ever, 2021 is finally here. Hurray!!!! Even though Resolutions are not my thing- continually trying to adopt healthy habits to ensure mental health and physical health is always top of mind.
Sticking to new, healthier habits doesn’t mean that you need to completely turn your life upside down; instead, if we focus on choosing healthy habits that feel good and fit easily into our lives, it’s so much easier to see them through.
Here are 10, Dailey-approved habits that can lead to healthier living for everybody, and they are easy to adhere to. Whether you pick a couple from the list below or take on the whole list is up to you, but one thing is for sure: your body will thank you for the healthy changes you make.
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
If you’re like most, you’re probably not drinking enough water. Drinking plenty of water helps your body perform its natural detoxification functions and keeps you looking and feeling your best. Upping your water intake can support energy, digestion, and skin health. I always start my day with a large glass of warm water with lemon, turmeric and cayenne. It’s a great detoxifier and starts my day with a boost of hydration before my coffee. So how can you make it easy to drink more?
Prepare it the night before– I make sure there’s water in the teapot, squeeze ½ a lemon, a dropper of turmeric tincture and two shakes of cayenne pepper in a glass so that it’s really easy to do that first thing in the morning. But even putting a large glass next to your bed to start your next day off is a great step.
Set a reminder – Put your phone to use and set an alert every hour to drink up. A simple reminder could be all you need!
Keep a water bottle handy – Carrying a full water bottle with you makes it simple to stay hydrated throughout the day. And the bigger it is the better!
Jazz it up – If you’re struggling to drink water due to the lack of flavor, add a squeeze of lemon or lime or experiment with fruit-infused water. I love to add Nuun tablets occasionally to encourage me to drink the entire glass.
Eat your water – Believe it or not, some foods like watermelon, cucumber, and celery are over 90% water.
2. Eat something green every day
We hate to sound like your mother, but… eat your vegetables! Make it a goal to put at least one green thing in your body every day. Add a handful of spinach to your smoothie, have a salad before dinner, or swap zucchini noodles for pasta. Once eating your greens becomes a habit, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to regularly add more vegetables to your meals.
3. Move every day
There are some days that you might not have time to do a full workout. But we all have 15 minutes, and if you have 15 minutes, you have enough time for a quick workout. Think of all the things you can do in 15 minutes; take a brisk walk, hop on your mat for a quick yoga session, enjoy a quick Dailey Online workout or just do a plank (the powerhouse of all exercises!). A little bit of exercise is better than none at all, and even a short walk or 2 minutes focusing on your alignment and core is enough to boost your endorphins and get your heart rate up. Don’t be surprised if your quick workouts slowly inspire you to carve out even more time to move.
4. Meditate
The world we live in is loud and busy; it’s difficult to not let the chaos affect your mental health. Sometimes creating the time to step away and quiet our minds is just what the doctor ordered. Meditation has been around for thousands of years, its recent surge in popularity has piqued the interest of many, and with good reason. Research has shown that meditation can have some physiological and psychological benefits.
You don’t need a lot of time in your day to reap the benefits of meditation. The trick to making meditation work in your life is starting small. All you truly need is a quiet, comfortable place to sit and 5 minutes. Your meditation practice can be as simple as sitting with your eyes closed and focusing on your breathing, or you can opt for a guided meditation with us on Dailey Online or use Insight timer for access to a variety of incredible teachers!
Taking just 5 minutes each day to meditate can reduce stress and anxiety and bring about mental clarity.
5. Eat less processed foods
When you fuel your body with the nutrients it needs and begin to eliminate processed junk from your diet, you’ll likely notice a difference in the way you feel. It can be challenging to cut processed foods entirely out of your diet, so aim for progress over perfection here. Eat oatmeal instead of cereal for breakfast, opt for an apple and nut butter or carrot sticks and hummus for snack versus an over-processed granola bar.
6. Get outdoors
Sunlight and fresh air have such a positive effect on the way we feel mentally and physically. Make it a habit to get a minimum of 5 minutes of fresh air every day. We’re guessing once you get outdoors, you’ll want to stay a little longer.
7. Laugh every day
What is life if we can’t enjoy ourselves? Laughter is so good for us and truly one of my favorite things to do – it boosts our mood and can reduce stress. If you’ve had a tough day, make it a point to call your funniest friend for a chat, tease your children ? or check out some funny videos online. Even just making yourself put a smile on your face can immediately change your mood.
8. Adopt a life-long learner mentality #always be a student
Have you ever watched a young child as they learn a new skill? Their confidence surges, and they light up the room with their excitement. The confidence in learning is something we can all benefit from. Set aside time weekly or even monthly to focus on your growth, whether it’s in your profession or just in a personal interest. Not only will you feel great, but you’ll also set a good example to those around you.
9. Turn off your devices an hour before bed
Screen time before bed keeps your mind busy and engaged, which is the last thing your brain needs before drifting off to dreamland. On top of that, the blue light emitted from screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, which means you might have a hard time falling and staying asleep. Rest is essential to being your best self, turning off devices at least an hour before bed allows your body to get the rest it needs. Get in bed and read a (real) book instead!
10. Practice Presence
With the busyness of the world, we often try to do too much at once, which doesn’t give us much time to appreciate the beauty that is present in each day. Whatever you are doing: cooking, eating, exercising, reading, or spending time with loved ones, be present, and fully there (your meditation practice will definitely help you with this!). Leaving the distractions and smart devices behind while you focus on a task can reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and improve overall mental health.
Adding these little steps to your day can create incremental changes which can create habits that have lifelong positive lasting effects!