How To Be Healthier In 2022, One Small Behavior Change At A Time

Some people can easily make drastic lifestyle changes overnight, but the reality for most of us is that healthy habits take a bit, or a lot, longer to form due to our busy schedules. But the truth is that profound, lasting change takes time to nurture and is better when implemented in small but consistent steps. 

Take the Stairs

The elevator may be tempting, but if you otherwise lead a sedentary lifestyle due to having an office job where you spend most of your time at the computer, anything you can do to incorporate exercise into your daily routine will make you feel stronger. And yes, even if it means you’re carrying some heavy groceries. 

Cook at Home More Often

Restaurants need to make food that they can make quickly and have bursts of flavor. This usually means that they need to use many extra ingredients for their food to pack a punch, and additional ingredients generally mean more calories. Cooking at home will not only save you some money, but it’ll also make it so that you’re more likely to have a healthier diet overall.

Add More Fruits and Veggies to Your Diet

This one may be tough if you don’t already have a penchant for adding color to your meals but think of it this way: fruits and veggies lower your risk of heart disease and cancer but also make you full with a lot less food, called volume eating, which is a harmless way to eat healthier if you’re trying to get in shape. 

Go to Bed Earlier

You should always try and get a solid 7-8 hours of sleep a night, as it can provide you mental clarity during the day and reduce your risk of physical ailments such as obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease. If you get sleepy during the day, a short nap can contribute to your nightly sleep, but make sure not to go overboard. Stick to around 30 minutes or less so that you’re still sleepy at bedtime. 

Add Exercise to Your Day 

I know we already discussed taking the stairs, but it’s really better for your health to add a bit more exercise than that to your routine. If you’re not an avid exerciser, try adding exercise to your day in 10-minute increments. Even if it’s just a daily walk to clear your mind, you’ll be doing wonders for your cardiovascular health. 

Replace Sugary Drinks With Water

Soda, juice, and energy drinks are a must for some of us who need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day. But the truth is, these fizzy drinks can be packed with extra sugar that will only make you feel sluggish within a few hours of drinking them.

If you need the carbonation, try drinking flavored bubbly water instead of soda to trick your body into thinking you had a pop. And if you can help it, drinking as much good old regular flat water is great for you too. 

Say No to Things That Don’t Serve You

People-pleasing is an epidemic that affects friendly people everywhere and causes them to bite off more good deeds than they can chew. Sometimes agreeing to help others or hang out when you don’t have the mental or physical bandwidth can add unnecessary stress to your life. Practice saying no to situations or people that are taking up too much of your energy. 

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Detox From Social Media

Nowadays, people spend equivalent to an entire workday on their phones and endlessly complain that they don’t have time to do any of the things they’d like. Set aside a specific time block for social media, or go on regular social media detoxes in order to free up your mind and energy stores to do all the things you’ve told yourself you were going to accomplish this year. 

Sit up Straight

When we’re zoned out at work, it can be hours before we notice we’ve been sitting in an awkward slouching position the entire time. There’s a reason our parents told us to sit up straight when we were kids, and that was to save us from the discomfort of being hunched over all the time. Practicing good posture helps prevent backaches, muscle pain, and fatigue. In general, standing up straight can also make you feel more confident as you go about your day. 

Read more here about how behaviors carry a considerable influence over our lives.

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Barbra Maranda

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