New Year, New You: How to Live a Healthier Lifestyle This 2019
The new year is the perfect time to evaluate your health and fitness goals. It’s also a great time to start finding new habits that will bring you to a better and happier life. Here are some good habits that you should start developing this year.
Take Sleeping Seriously
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. You’ve probably already noticed that when you get solid hours of sleep, you are more energized, focused, and productive. Sleeping helps your body and cognitive functions to recuperate. On the other hand, sleep deprivation has been linked to a number of serious health conditions like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
If you previously took your sleeping habits for granted, this year is the perfect time to start changing that. Make your room more conducive to sleeping by removing any objects that might keep you from winding down, such as smart devices, laptops, the TV, and even books. Also, set a fixed time to sleep and stick to it. As bedtime approaches, start doing relaxation-inducing activities like meditation and listening to calming music.
Go on a Detox
Detoxes are becoming quite popular these days, and there is a good reason for that. Every day you expose your body to various toxins that are present in everyday products and pollution in the environment. A detox helps you to eliminate the buildup of these harmful substances in your body.
Make no mistake though. This process is not about depriving yourself of certain foods, drinks, or activities. It is about restoring your body to a state of balance, and along the way, you can expect to improve on your self-discipline.
Make time this year to go on a detox. There are many different types you can choose, from a seven-day detox that involves abstinence from certain foods to intensive thirty-day programs that would require you to work with a specialist. Read about the different types, and find one that best suits your health needs and lifestyle.
Drink Enough Water
The benefits of drinking water are already well-known, but many people still struggle to stay hydrated. In fact, a survey conducted by the New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center on 3,003 Americans found that 75 percent of them were chronically dehydrated. Dehydration can manifest in unpleasant symptoms ranging from headaches and fatigue to more severe ones like seizures.
If you are one of the many people who can’t seem to hit the necessary eight glasses of water every day, you can follow certain hacks like mixing fresh fruits into your water so you don’t find the taste boring. You can also invest in a sleek water bottle that you can carry along with you. Some of these bottles are designed to keep water cold for as much as three hours so you can instantly freshen up anytime and anywhere.
Develop Better Eating Habits
You’ve probably already read about the many health risks when you eat plenty of processed food. Processed food and drinks are high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats that can increase the risk of cancer, diabetes, and other serious health problems. There is no better time than now to start watching what you eat, and this includes getting rid of unhealthy food and drinks in your diet.
To help you develop healthier eating habits, start reading labels when you go grocery shopping. A rule of thumb is if you can’t pronounce the ingredient, it’s probably not good for you. Also, make a shopping list so you don’t wander into enticing aisles and end up buying indulgent snacks. Lastly, a weekly meal plan goes a long way in helping you stick to a nutritious diet and avoid unnecessary snacking.
Connect with Friends
Having a solid network of friends can benefit you in more ways than one. Friendships can enrich your life and make it more meaningful. Furthermore, studies have shown that having friends can help you fight stress, boost your self-esteem, and even strengthen your immune system.
This year, start nurturing your existing relationships, and expand your social circle to include new friends. Make time in your busy schedule to catch up with your loved ones. A dinner where you give them your undivided attention is a simple yet rewarding way to show them how much you really care for them.
If you want to meet new people, try engaging in new hobbies. Sign up for weekly Zumba classes, join a book club, or participate in team sports at your gym. This year is a great year to start strengthening your connections.
