8 Tips for Healthier Living

I am by no means a health & living expert. However, over the past year I have made a conscious effort to live my life with more purpose. By doing so, I have chosen to make more health conscious decisions and live a more care-free lifestyle. Here are a few tips that I discovered work for me and I hope they can work for you as well.

1. Work out

It's easy for working out to feel like a chore. Trying to fit it into your already busy schedule is a big headache. Finding workouts that suit your interests can really help you beat that mindset. For me, lifting weights and going on long runs isn't ideal and in no way sounds fun or motivating. Instead, I love to focus on core workouts, yoga, water sports, and long walks. There's so many forms of exercise to choose from so don't be afraid to try a few out until you find some you like. The littlest activity can make the biggest difference in the long run and can help you feel better.

2. Healthier diet choices

If you're like me, eating tons of junk food can make me feel sick, often leaving me feeling groggy and nauseous. This past year, I've focused on keeping a stricter diet that's more nutritious and holds less processed foods. I've cut things like candy and soda out and instead have tried a variety of healthy foods until I found some I like (hummus, fruits, spinach salads, trail mixes, etc.). Of course, I'm not perfect. I still enjoy snacks like ice cream and take out, but I have those things in moderation. It's good to take care of yourself but also remember you only live once so enjoy your favorite treats.

3. Meditate

I've mentioned meditation in my other blogs before and this is only because I think it is so beneficial. In a world ran by technology, it gives you the chance to unplug and just 'be'. You're giving yourself the time to relax and focus your mind on important things (working through problems, recognizing flaws, working on affirmations, etc). Taking even 5 minutes to meditate everyday can help create that peaceful mindset that a lot of us are lacking.

4. Avoid skipping self-care

You may think skipping washing your face or brushing your teeth one night isn't a big deal, but it's an easy habit to get into. It's important to keep up on taking care of yourself (showering, face masks, healthy eating, exercising, etc.). A healthy you = a happy you.

5. Yoga/Daily Stretching

Yoga is a great way to stretch everyday and keep up with exercise. Stretching is so important not just to your physical health but to your mental health as well. It stretches out sore/tight muscles and gets blood flowing in your body which makes your brain happy too. For more info on the benefits of stretching, take a look at the provided link: https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/blog/archive/healthy-habits/why-stretching-extremely-important

6. Make your bed everyday

This is another tip that I have mentioned in other blogs because it really does help. It tricks your brain into checking one small act off of your to-do list which motivates you to accomplish more. You're less likely to climb back into bed and it makes your room look cleaner which makes your brain happy and calm.

7. Listen to music/podcasts!

Listening to your favorite music everyday is a great way to put yourself in a good mood. Everyday when I wake up, I turn on my favorite music to ensure a good start to my day :) For those who find music distracting, try out podcasts. There are so many topics to choose from and they give your mind something to focus on to help keep you on track.

8. Clean up

I've also mentioned this in other blogs. Keeping a clean environment helps your brain focus on important tasks rather than stress over any mess in your environment. Staying clean leaves you relaxed, focused, and happy.

Overall, there's so many things you can do to live healthier, it all just depends on what works best for you. Don't be afraid to start small and work your way up. Change starts with one step. Also, it's okay if you miss a day with these. We all have bad days but the important thing is that you try. I hope these tips can help lead you in the direction of a happy lifestyle!