Prioritizing our well-being by committing to meaningful habits is key to a fulfilling, balanced lifestyle. If you're looking to elevate your daily routine to better support your physical, mental, and emotional health, there's no time like the present to get started.
According to experts, minor changes to daily habits can yield major results. Read on for the most actionable list of small lifestyle shifts with big wellness impacts to help you live your best life yet.
Move more. Adding just one 30-minute walk per day can help to improve mental health, manage weight, boost energy, reduce stress, build muscle, and more. Short on time? Try aiming for three 10-minute walks, instead.
Skip the processed foods. Fill up on digestion-promoting fiber by satisfying a sweet tooth with in-season produce like summer peaches, or whip up these crispy carrot fries instead of reaching for high-sodium, deep fried potato chips. Bonus: carrots and peaches are both rich in vitamins A & C.
Carry a reusable water bottle. Refill as many times as needed and track your hydration in a free health app to help you get the recommended amount of water daily (11.5 cups for women, 15.5 cups for men). If you're not a fan of water on its own, try making a tasty fruit infusion.
Sleep more. Practice good sleep hygiene, like putting down your phone an hour before bed and going to sleep and getting up at the same time every day. Aim for 7-9 hours per night and be sure to step up your sleep-supporting nutrition. Start by upping your intake of rest-promoting omega-3s.
Eat for immunity. Antioxidant-rich nutrients, found in foods like cherries, strawberries, pineapples, and tomatoes, and gut-friendly probiotics, found in foods like yogurt and kimchi, can help reduce your risk of developing a cold or flu. Fresh fruit salad, anyone?
Try a social media detox. Unplugging from social media for even just one weekend can mean serious benefits for your mood, sleep, and IRL relationships. If an entire weekend is too much of a leap, try dipping your toe into cutting back on social media by experimenting with setting a limit for the time you spend on apps.
Step up your skin care. Healthy skin supports a healthy mind and body. To show your complexion some love, start by naturally strengthening your skin barrier with gentle probiotic skin care.
Be kinder to yourself. Mindful self compassion-- treating yourself as you would a friend-- can have far reaching benefits, from lower stress and increased productivity to a calmer nervous system and better overall health. Try giving yourself a little grace the next time you're feeling overwhelmed with positive self-talk.
Don't skip meals. Prioritizing your nutrition by carving out time in your day for regular meals can be one of the simplest ways to ensure your body gets the optimal levels of the nutrients it needs. Plus, eating regularly will help you stave off very real feelings of cortisol-spiking hanger and sudden energy crashes.
Build muscle. Add strength training into your fitness routine for stronger bones, a sharper mind, and enhanced quality of life. Be sure to give your body ample recovery time between workouts, and support joints with plenty of amino acids.
Get outside. Connecting with nature is one of the most effective ways to practice self care while staying active and supporting our mental and physical health. Find a tree-lined trail or park near you, and take a hike.
Plan your meals. Making a weekly meal plan will allow you to focus not only on achieving a balanced diet, but can help support your financial health by preventing overspending and food waste. It can even free up valuable time to spend with loved ones, which can lead to a longer, happier life.
Get solid foundational nutrition. To function properly and keep you feeling your best, every system in the human body requires adequate levels of foundational nutrition. Be sure to build your menu around critical nutrients like fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. And to make up for any nutritional gaps in your diet, remove the guesswork with a convenient daily multivitamin, designed for comprehensive wellness support.
And, last but not least:
Start your day with gratitude. Keeping a daily gratitude journal has been shown to greatly impact overall health and wellness, from potentially reducing inflammation and helping prevent burnout to improving sleep, energy levels, and happiness. Try starting with a simple list of five things you are grateful for each morning for the first week, six the second week, and so on. Too busy in the morning? Any time of day will do.
What does wellness mean to you?
Whatever your goals, and however busy your schedule, little shifts like these can be a powerful way to transform your health and wellness habits and create lasting-- even life-changing-- benefits. Where will you begin?