Everybody wants to be healthy and happy. And while it’s true that it’s difficult to achieve both instantly, there are several ways that you can lead this kind of life. It all starts with developing healthy habits and replacing the bad ones.
Check out these tips on how you can craft a lifestyle that will lead you to the path of health and happiness.
1. Practice mindfulness
There is so much to see and think about nowadays, especially because we’re bombarded with media that’s programmed to keep us distracted. As a result, our minds get overwhelmed and we feel stressed, preoccupied, and anxious.
Practicing mindfulness means being fully present and aware of where you are and what you’re doing. It means savoring the sights, smells, sounds, smells, and tastes of the present moment. By doing this, you are lessening stress, increasing your productivity, and improve your attention.
At haws, soon, you can partner with psychologists to help or assist you in dealing with stress and other mental health concerns.
2. Get some sunshine
Going outside can spell wonders for your health and mood. Soaking up the sunlight gives your body vitamin D and makes it produce serotonin, dubbed as the “happy hormone”. Spend some time outside to get some sunshine early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Or if going out isn’t possible, open your windows during the daytime to let the sunlight in.
3. Eat a healthy diet
The old saying is definitely true—you are what you eat. If you eat unhealthy junk food, then your health will likely suffer. On the other hand, if you fuel your body with fresh, whole foods, then your body will function at its best. Aside from making you healthier, eating well will also make you feel happier.
Have at least 1 serving of fruit and vegetable every meal. You can toss them as a salad, add them to your sandwiches, serve them as a side dish, or add them to soups and stews. Fruits are best eaten fresh and whole, but you can also make a smoothie or as jams and jellies—just go easy on the sugar.
4. Get moving
The human body was made to move, so sitting down for long periods of time can be detrimental to your health. Make sure to move around and stretch your muscles from time to time. Get up, stretch your muscles, and walk around for at least several minutes every day.
5. Cut your vices
Smoking and drinking are one of the leading causes of preventable death. Having the occasional drink or a puff of smoke is probably alright. But if you want to live a healthy life, it’s time to cut your vices.
In addition to being detrimental to your physical health, smoking and drinking also increase anxiety, stress, and depression. Even though many people feel like these activities help them relax, it actually heightens anxiety and does little to improve the mood.
6. Give back to your community
Helping others can come in many forms, whether it’s donating to a local charity or volunteering at a shelter. You’ll feel good about yourself knowing that you’ve made a difference in other people’s lives.
7. Read a book
When was the last time you read a book? Reading at least a few pages every day will help stimulate your mind. This will keep your brain sharper and more alert. Reading also provides you with new knowledge and vocabulary, which can be useful in your daily life.
8. Get enough sleep
There’s a reason why you feel cranky and irritable whenever you don’t get enough sleep. That’s because sleep plays a big part in learning and memory. Sleep makes it easier for you to focus and store information, while the lack of it makes it harder to recall details.
Sleep is also responsible for processing your emotions. Lack of sleep makes your brain unable to process your emotions the right way, so you’ll tend to become more irritable. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night will help avoid this.
9. Take care of a pet or a plant
Adopting a pet can be therapeutic, and the happiness they provide can improve your health. But most importantly, pets teach you responsibility—having another living thing depending on you for survival. Just be sure that you’re ready for the commitment before adopting one. If you’re not ready for an animal yet, you can opt to take care of a plant.
10. Limit your caffeine intake
Nothing beats a steaming cup of good coffee, but if it’s making it difficult for you to sleep, you might want to limit your caffeine intake. Avoid drinking them in the afternoon or at night. You can also swap regular coffee with a decaffeinated variant or herbal tea.