#1 Mindset: First and foremost, you have to change your mentality about what it means to live healthy. It doesn’t mean eat 4 calories a day, be the size of a bean pole, and exercise like you’re training for a marathon. It means, quite simply, living happier and healthier.
#2 Planning: Make a list of what living healthier means for you. Is it losing weight, getting fit, being more active, more community oriented?
#3 Diet/Meal Plans: Healthy eating is vital. Make a food budget and, if at all possible, go for organic, GMO-free foods. Remove processed foods and toxins from the diet. Aim for fresh leafy vegetables and vibrantly colored fruits. The phrase, “you are what you eat,” will go a long way when you take it literally. Eat with your fingers as much as possible to be more connected to the food.
#4 Exercise Routine: Make a regimen, write it down, and stick to it. Whether it’s walking, bicycling, or joining a gym, do it at least 30 minutes a day. Most of us live sedentary lifestyles, so the more you can do the better, but aim for just a half hour.
#5 Meditation: Deep breathing and positive thinking exercises will help greatly in removing mental toxic waste. Yoga is a great way to fit both exercise and meditation into one package. The idea is to connect to yourself, understand your body and your mind. Use DVD’s, guided meditations, or read up on how to meditate. It will calm the mind, nerves, and give you a feeling of peaceful balance.
#6 Enjoyment: Happiness plays a large role in healthy living. If you’re miserable, you likely don’t care about your food intake or exercise routine. Smile and laugh as much as you can. Do something nice for yourself at least once a week. Buy a good pair of shoes, a new game, or read a good novel. Additionally, take 10 minutes aside daily to sit peacefully, by yourself, without distractions and just be still. Smile while you do this.
#7 Volunteer: Giving back to your community through volunteer work is a great way to bring a smile to your face. It gives you a sense of worth, hope, and happiness, not to mention what you’re doing for others.
#8 Creativity: Find a creative outlet for yourself. Oftentimes, we lead unhealthy lifestyles because we have the proverbial demons and skeletons in our minds and closets. Exorcise them through writing, drawing, painting, craft work, etc.
#9 Teach: Teach someone, children specifically, how to live happily. A happy life leads to a healthy life. Teach someone about confidence, connection to nature, and overall well-being. Teach yourself through journaling your own experience of living healthy.
#10 Faith: Don’t just think religion here. Any faith or spirituality or belief is greatly helpful for guidance. Even science and atheism is a faith, in their own way. Whatever it is, make sure it keeps you focused and motivated.
Leave a Reply