Now more than ever, people everywhere are inspired to take better care of themselves, and justifiably so. Due to the pandemic and the many restrictions we’ve been dealing with, we’ve all been under more stress than we normally are. Some have suffered tremendous losses precisely because of this health crisis and know first-hand what it means to experience a setback in terms of wellbeing.
Although we’re far from being out of the woods, it’s definitely high time we changed our lives for the better, as much as the circumstances allow. Fortunately, some of the most profound changes we can introduce in our lives don’t require a gym membership or emptying your savings account. On the contrary, the most effective and life-altering habits are those built upon consistency in choosing healthy steps over those that are unhealthy, and they depend on smaller, yet fundamental changes in our mindset.
Here, we’ve compiled a few of the simplest, yet most effective healthy habits you can add to your routine to take better care of yourself, stay healthy, and feel better in your own skin.
SNACK HEALTHY, DITCH SUGARY FOODS
First and foremost, it’s too easy to reach for sugary snacks when we need an energy boost at work or at home. It takes diligence and consistency to ditch this particular habit and replace it with a healthier approach to snacking. Get rid of all the unhealthy treats from your home and plan your snacks in advance.
That way, you can either purchase pre-made healthy snacks with no sugar, or you can make your own healthy salad bowls, veggie snacks, and other delicious, yet healthy treats.
KEEP YOUR PROTEIN INTAKE IN CHECK
Both in terms of muscle-building and losing weight, protein intake is vital for achieving your fitness goals. It also gives you ample energy to keep up with your workouts. However, for many people, it can be challenging to stay in line with their daily protein needs from food, which is why introducing the best whey protein into your diet can be extremely helpful.
Protein powder can come in a multitude of flavors, you can make delicious shakes as your post-workout meal, and thus help stay on track with your protein needs. Plus, you can easily find protein powders that don’t have any added sugar, which will greatly help with your fitness and health goals!
VARY YOUR HOME TRAINING
Now that you’ve tailored your menu, you’ll have plenty of energy and stamina to train and not fall into the trap of becoming a couch potato. It’s simple enough to keep your home workouts fun and motivating by investing in a few key pieces of equipment you can use during your training sessions.
For example, a yoga mat is a great investment when you rely on those follow-along videos on YouTube for stretching and asanas, while a kettlebell can boost the resistance for your strength training exercises. Also, resistance bands are great both for stretching and for strength, so you can mix and match your workouts to stay interested, and burn a few extra calories.
TAKE WALK-AND-TALK MEETINGS AND DATES
Most of us don’t spend enough time surrounded by greenery, as we’re mostly indoors and stuck behind a computer. What you can do to keep yourself active, which will also help boost your immune system and help you stay healthy, is to invite your friends and loved ones to spend more time in a shared activity.
You can simply take a walk in the park with a cup of coffee or tea, organize a picnic by a lake, or spend your weekends hiking and spending more time in nature. Being active outside of your weekly workouts can be helpful for your mindset, and it’s exceptionally healthy for your longevity and your overall health.
MAKE TIME FOR DIGITAL DETOXING
As much as it might be hard to believe for some, the time we spend on social networks and news outlets aren’t always nurturing for our minds and spirits. Yes, it’s good to be informed and have your fair share of social interactions, especially now due to the pandemic when most of us still rely on digital communication to stay connected to the many people we love. Still, a digital detox is a good way to rebuild your mindset and be more impervious to stress.
Managing that time is vital because spending too many hours online every day can only contribute to adding more stress to your life. The overwhelming burden of bad news and negative notifications paired with sheer anticipation can be too much. So, schedule your online time and schedule your video calls with family and friends. Spend the rest of your time offline or outside of social networks, so that you can be productive and preserve your emotional and mental energy.
Your lifestyle is not based on one or two choices, but it’s a sum of all the things you do for yourself every day. With these little changes, you can help yourself build the basis for healthy living, and then continue evolving your healthy lifestyle one day at a time!
