By Alexis Holt
Published May 24, 2022
What are the key habits of healthy people? A question pondered by many.
“With health comes great discipline.”
Have you ever wanted to be the person who crosses off items from their to-do? Eats healthy? Works out three times or more per week? And utilizes organization techniques in their home and work life?
Well, the good news is you can be that person and so much more! With a bit of stride and effort, you can quite truly achieve anything that you set your mind to.
I have created this helpful list of things you can do starting TODAY to improve the healthy habits in your daily routine. Just like I always say, it does not have to be complicated, it just takes a bit of persistence.
So here is the first thing you can start doing and preparing the night before to do so.
1. Wake Up Early In The Morning
This can be as early as 5:00 AM, or as late as 9:00 AM, it depends on the schedule you have. From my experience as a businesswoman, wife, health professional, and homemaker, I have found that waking up earlier is always better.
Typically a goal of mine is to wake up before 6:00 AM daily, which may be harder at certain times than others. However, with repetition and a great nighttime routine, you will grow accustomed to the early wake time.
Something that may help you in this process is laying out your clothes, and anything that you normally do in the morning, the night before.
This can also include washing out your teacup and having it sit on the counter so that you can make your tea the next morning. These may seem like little things, but they will definitely make a difference in the flow of your morning when waking up at the crack of dawn.
2. Make A Plan For Your Day
In addition, one of the key habits of healthy people you want to implement into your daily routine is schedule-making. This hack is something I have used for many years to keep me on track with completing my tasks for the day. You can start by purchasing a planner or template of your choice for the current calendar year.
I have my own templates that I have created on Canva, and they have been nothing short of a lifesaver! Once you have a planner, you want to get organized by writing out all the things you want to accomplish that week. This will give you an overview of what your week will look like.
Have a list of the top three items you want to check off your list for the day. Then, you will not believe what’s next: actually, check them off! The satisfaction and feeling of togetherness you will feel is the best thing ever. This will be your motivation to keep going! Studies show that people who write down their goals and to-do lists are 3x more likely to achieve them.
3. Get Movement Every Single Day
This next habit is definitely a game-changer. You do not have to be a very active person to get movement into your daily routine.
Even just walking for 20-minutes per day can do your body very well in terms of overall health. Exercise is good for your heart health, digestive health, and lubrication of the limbs.
I have found that the more movement I get during the day, the more productive I am until evening time.
Starting your day off with a walk, a HIT workout or even a Pilates class will aid in your journey to becoming the healthiest you can be.
4. Eat A Balanced, Plant-based Diet
Another one of the key habits of healthy people that you can implement today is eating a balanced, plant-based diet. There are a plethora of benefits, some of which I have talked about in my previous post on living a plant-based lifestyle. It will undoubtedly cause you to be and feel healthier in general.
This can include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
The good news is that there are a variety of meals you can create from this list. I have created some yummy meals and snacks and will be sharing them with you all in the future.
If you are interested in going plant-based, find out some of the key lessons that have shaped my journey.
5. Make Fasting A Routine
In addition, this healthy habit is truly life-changing and that is to do fasting. Fasting has been one of the most humbling journeys that I have embarked on. You can do a 12-hour fast, 3-day fast, or even a 7-day fast. It is completely up to you! Either way, you will reap the benefits of fasting, specifically when done on a regular basis.
When I was just beginning my fasting journey, I did a 3-day water fast. My life was forever changed and that was the catapult to my entire journey. Those few days taught me that you can do anything, large or small, as long as your “why” is big enough.
In those moments when I wanted to break my fast, I had to remind myself that there was a larger goal in mind. That goal was to reset my digestive system, give my body a break and start on a fresh clean foot with my new way of eating.
During this time, I also gave up dairy, processed meat/meals, sugary drinks, and a few different kinds of meat. These were my biggest motivators when deciding to continue on with the fast even when I wanted to give up. I knew that in order to kick those cravings I had to do something drastic, and that was fasting. Now, I fast about one to two times per week just to give my digestive system a break and maintain a healthy gut.
A research study on the effects of fasting shows that you can even kick an illness, if caught at the beginning, simply by fasting for 72 hours. So, if you are skeptical about fasting I recommend starting with an intermittent fast (16:8) and working your way up to 24 hours. This means you will fast for 16 hours, and eat the remaining 8 hours. This will allow you to get used to fasting, and eventually go anywhere from 24-128 hours or more.
*Disclaimer: if you have pre-existing conditions, and/or you are on any medications please consult with your doctor before beginning any fasting regime.
6. Meditate, Pray, or Journal
Moreover, the habit of meditating, praying, and/or journaling will definitely ensure you have great mental and emotional health. These are some of the key habits of healthy people. Incorporating these practices will be the anchors for your healthy lifestyle, especially when facing moments of stress and adversity.
Meditation can be done at any point in the day, and anywhere. It’s actually great! Just choose a location, and time to sit (or stand) then ground yourself in a moment of reflection.
In addition, prayer is an amazing way to voice the concerns, fears, or joys you have in your life to God as a way of releasing yourself from the burden.
I find myself praying often throughout the day, and it always helps to lift my mood. Depending on the religious background you share, these can be a great practice to incorporate into your everyday routine.
Lastly, journaling is a great habit to have as a healthy person. It can be done through video, handwritten notes, typed letters, or voice memos. Whichever way you see fit to release the emotions and thoughts you have, do it. Journaling has been an excellent source of therapy for me over the years (before and during having a therapist), and I would never let it go. It is a way of processing your thoughts and aiding in the decision-making process for tough situations like changing your entire lifestyle.
Your emotional, mental, and spiritual health are just as important as your physical health so make sure you cherish it accordingly.
7. Get Sunlight For Vitamin D
Fresh air and sunlight are the most healing practices you can incorporate into your daily routine.
Did you know that sunlight can increase your body’s absorption of vitamin D, which can increase mood and promote healthy digestion? Yes. One of the many reasons that you should make every effort to get sunlight for at least 1-2 hours daily.
Throughout the week, I try my best to be outdoors at least 2 hours throughout the day and even more if time permits. I find that when my mood is low, getting outdoors instantly lifts my mood and causes my brain to lease serotonin.
This hormone is effective at reducing depression, regulating anxiety, healing wounds, and maintaining bone health. These are all very important health benefits that will help improve the overall state of your health.
8. Take Some Time To Do Self-care
It is impossible to pour well from an empty cup. When you do not take the time you need to refuel your mental, emotional and spiritual health, you will never be your healthiest self. This goes back to the notion of journaling, meditation, and prayer as a form of keeping you internally healthy.
You can also take a day to rest. Including taking a day off of work, using a weekend day to rejuvenate, or simply choosing to lie down and read a book. Whatever you may want it to look like! When you take the time for self-care, you will be able to recharge efficiently. This will allow you to give your all to your home life, work, business, and hobbies without burnout.
Anyone who desires to develop healthy habits for success will make self-care a priority throughout the month. I have had to realize this over the years since becoming an adult. Making the time to breathe and recharge will no doubt make you more productive in your daily routine.
9. Spend Time In Healthy Community
Last, but not least, spending time in a healthy community is a habit for total wellness. Being around people who can help you grow, become more self-aware, and empower positivity will aid in health.
If you are constantly surrounding yourself with people who are negative, life draining, and stagnant this will begin to weigh on you.
You need to be mindful of negativity in your life and reduce it. Studies show that people who have a healthy community of people around them tend to be more successful and stable-minded.
One thing that I have been grateful for in different seasons of life is having people to keep me accountable and vice versa.
When times are great, and when they are not, you will need others to lean on. The same goes for your circle as well. If they need you, you will be able to be there because you have refueled and filled your life with healthy habits.
Will you be trying to implement any of these habits? Do you already do some of these things? If so, how have they benefited your personal health journey?
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