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Get healthier with these 8 simple and effective habits

Ready to get healthier? Start your journey to a healthier you with these simple and effective habits:

News 12 Staff

Feb 24, 2021, 3:03 PM

Updated 1,350 days ago

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Get healthier with these 8 simple and effective habits
Ready to get healthier? 
Start your journey to a healthier you with these simple and effective habits: 

1. SET GOALS

Goals are a great way to track and celebrate your accomplishments. Plus, goals are whatever you make of them - they can be focused on healthier eating, introducing more movement into your life, cultivating relationships, and so much more. Just make sure that they’re SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-based. 

2. EAT BREAKFAST

Eating breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism in the morning, and it’s a great way to boost your energy levels and develop more focus, thus making for a more productive day. To make your breakfast as healthy as possible, try to skip processed, sugary foods and stick with proteins, dairy, grains, and fruit.

3. PLAN MEALS

When you’re in a bind, reaching for the takeout menu is an easy option and doing so once every so often is OK! But planning your meals out can help limit how frequently you opt for unhealthier meals. Coming up with a few good, nutritious recipes that you can make ahead of time and simply heat up to eat will be a lifesaver when you need something healthy fast!

4. PRACTICE MODERATION

All too often, people set out with the plan to develop healthier eating habits and fall into harmful diet fads and trends that restrict certain foods. Instead, practice moderation - enjoy practical amounts of your favorite foods from time to time while still incorporating healthy proteins, fruits and vegetables, and grains into your diet to stay balanced.

5. DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Among many other benefits, staying hydrated can help aid digestion, regulate your body temperature, cushions your joints, and even helps clear your skin!

6. GET ENOUGH SLEEP

We focus on our daytime habits to help form a healthier lifestyle, but your sleep is a major part of your health as well. Getting at least seven hours of sleep helps create a more productive day, supports healthy growth and development, and boosts your immune system. To form better sleep habits, consistently go to bed and wake up at the same time, create a dark and cool environment to sleep in, and avoid all screens before bedtime. 

7. TRAIN MUSCLES

When we think about getting and staying healthy, many often think they should be participating in high-intensity activities like running and other forms of cardio. However, training your muscles with bodyweight exercises or weights makes for stronger bones and helps manage weight more than most other exercises. 

8. OTHER HEALTHY PEOPLE

One of the easiest ways to develop healthier habits is to surround yourself with others who have them. Find a workout buddy, someone you can swap recipes with, or a friend who you love to chat with about what you’re each doing to stay healthy!