3 Tiny Habits of Health That You Can Start Today
Habit building is the core of living a lifestyle. A habit implies that the behavior you want has become second nature. This means it takes significantly less energy and planning to stay on track with those aspects of your life.
For example, when you automatically wake up and put on workout clothes to start your day it makes it significantly easier for the next step to be doing 30 minutes of cardio.
There is a reason that building habits is such a big buzzword these days when it comes to our health. Because while motivation and setting goals might get us started, we really want those health promoting habits to be so deeply ingrained that they simply become a way of life.
Health Means Wealth focuses on how to build healthy habits that stick. We even have an entire step by step guide dedicated specifically to taking control of your health through healthy habits (get your copy here!)
3 Tiny Habits of Health
Today, we’re keeping it simple. Because any good goal must first start with one single step in the right direction. So let’s review some easy, low energy, low cost ways to start putting in the work for better health. Feel free to choose one that resonates with you and build from there.
No step is too small as long as it in a forward direction! Plus, if you feel you are falling backward. Use it as a learning experience and start moving forward again when you’re ready. There’s no need for guilt or pity, just learning and growing! Here are 10 habits that you can start right now:
1. Wake Up 5 Minutes Earlier
The possibilites are endless here for what you can do with 5 extra minutes each morning. When you set your alart to get up 5 minutes earlier, make sure you have an intention for those 5 minutes. It might include:
- Reading a favorite book
- Writing in a journal (a gratitude journal is highly recommended)
- Meditation or another mindfulness practice
- Sitting in calm before getting out of bed with a glass of water or tea
- Reviewing your calender
- Reading, writing, or saying out loud affirmations
- Stretching or yoga
- OR whatever helps you feel relaxed and ready to take on the day with intenion!
Just can’t find an extra minute in the morning? You can incorprate these anytime into your day!
Related read: 10 Habits of Health That are Easy to Add to Your Routine
2. Improve Your Sleep
Many of are unintentionally neglecting our sleep quality. Obviously, getting 7-9 hours is ideal. But if you are feeling short on time there are some simple ways to improve your overall sleep quality to make maximize the time that you do get.
- Go to bed at the same time each night
- Avoid screen time 30 minutes before bed
- Do something relaxing 5-10 minutes before you crawl into bed
- Keep all non-sleeping activities, except intimiate ones, outside of the bedroom
- Avoid eating 2 hours before bed.
- Ditch the caffeine, carbs and sugar in the evenings
3. Make One Simple Food Swap
Don’t get caught up in the “all or nothing” mentality for healthy eating. Every little change you make can make a big difference in the long term, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the short term.
There is a dangerous rabbit hole we can get into where if we slip up with our diet, suddenly we say “screw it.” It’s totally okay to indulge when it comes from a place of intention and you take the time to enjoy it (aka mindful eating).
Here are some simple ways to start making healthier choices that can make you feel empowered rather than guilty.
- Simply start looking at your food labels– start building awareness around what you’re consuming
- Try one meatless meal a week
- Add one veggie dish to your dinners- not sure what to add? Salads go with everything!
- Drink one extra glass of water a day
- Swap out one of your go-to snacks for a piece of fresh fruit, vegetable or whole food option
- Trade vegetable oils for grass fed butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil for cooking
There you have it. Starting down the road of better health doesn’t have to be complicated! In fact, the easier it is to get started the more likely you are to stay on track. Taking baby steps is a much better approach than trying to make too much change at once.
There are so many other simple ways to boost your health that will build on each other, like getting out in the sunshine, connecting with loved ones, moving regularly… and so much more.
What are some of your favorite ways to feel your best each day? What one simple strategy you could add to your daily routine?
