Habits are developed over time and yield a specific outcome. When you want a healthier life, you need habits that will help get you there. Things like good sleep, drinking water instead of soda, staying active, and even getting addiction treatment are all important habits to have when you want a healthier life. Here are the habits you can swap out to start your journey to health.
Swap Soda for Water
Switching from drinking soda to drinking water is one of the easiest ways to improve your health. Water is basically free, and helps your body stay hydrated and flushes away toxins. Soda can cause bloating, digestion problems, and metabolic disease. Water on the other hand is great for your skin as well and can help you maintain a more youthful look.
Switch Out Your Sedentary Life for an Active One
Exercise is important for your health, and there are many different ways to get it. The key is finding an exercise routine that works for you. One way to make sure that you’re fitting in time for exercise is by scheduling it into your day. You can take walks on your break, or do a short dance routine when you get home from work. Try getting up and staying active after the work day is over as well.
Trade Your Addiction for Recovery
Addiction is a disease, and it can cause a person to behave in ways that are harmful to the individual and to others. People who are addicted to substances or activities will often feel compelled to engage in the behavior even when they know it’s not good for them. If you want to live a healthier life, trade your addiction for recovery instead. Detox services will help you get rid of physical addiction. Long-term you can use mental health care, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and group coaching to help you stay sober and develop new habits and mindsets for recovery.
Say Yes to Mental Health Care and No to Hiding Your Problems
Mental health is just as important as physical health. In fact, mental health can directly impact your physical health as well. The good news is that mental health issues can be treated, managed, and cured. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Saying yes to mental health care can ensure that you heal from trauma, learn how to live with mental health conditions, and more.
Eat Lean Steaks Instead of Processed Beef Sausages
Unless you’re vegetarian or vegan, lean beef is a good source of protein. It’s also a good source of iron and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower your risk for heart disease. Lean beef is low in saturated fat compared to processed meats like sausage or hot dogs which contain nitrates and other preservatives that can hurt your health. Instead of eating hot dogs, swap them out for some quality lean steaks instead.
Stop Binge Watching Shows Until a Late Hour and Choose Sleep Instead
Binge-watching shows is becoming a thing. More and more people are losing sleep because they become addicted to their show and need to watch the next episode. Staying up too late to do this can impact your health in negative ways. You need sleep. The amount of sleep you should get is a hotly debated topic, but most experts agree that seven to nine hours per night is ideal. A variety of adverse health effects can arise from insufficient rest time. This includes a higher risk for heart disease and stroke, diminished cognitive function, weight gain, depression symptoms, and even diabetes risk factors such as insulin resistance.
Enjoy Fresh Fruit With Honey Instead of Candy
Eat fresh fruit with honey instead of candy. A healthy snack is one that provides you with energy and nutrients, so it’s important to choose snacks that are filling and tasty. Fruits can be made more interesting by adding a little honey, which can make them sweeter. Raw honey is especially good because it can help alleviate seasonal allergies and boost your immunity. Unlike processed sugar found in most candies that decreases your immune function.
Swap Your Smoking Habit for Breathing Fresh Air
Smoking is an unhealthy habit that can cause many diseases, such as lung cancer and heart disease. Breathing fresh air is good for your health and can help prevent these diseases. To breathe fresh air, try going outside more often or taking a walk in the park. Get addiction treatment if you need it to help you quit cigarettes without transferring your addiction to something else. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in your lungs and can lead to low levels of hypoxia. Long-term hypoxia is known to cause cellular dysfunction and death.
Trade Out Your Nightly Screen Time for Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is the use of red light to treat health conditions. The benefits of this type of treatment include reducing inflammation and improving circulation. Using red light therapy at night can help your body relax, produce more melatonin, and get better sleep. It also boosts your immune system making you less likely to get sick. Red light can even boost the production of collagen, making your skin look and feel healthier. Blue light, however, is the primary kind of light found in your TVs, computer screens, and smartphones. Put these down an hour before bed and try red light therapy for 20 minutes instead.
Conclusion
Getting a healthier lifestyle is possible when you swap out your poor habits for healthier ones. The good news is that you can do them one at a time to start enjoying their benefits. You don’t need to tackle everything at once. Getting help for addiction, your mental health, eating more fresh fruits and lean meats, and getting more rest at night are some of the most important things you need to sustain your health. You might find yourself surprised by how quickly these little changes add up over time. Your healthier lifestyle will be evident in the outcomes you get from these new habits.