As we move further into the new year, you may feel like your refreshed plans and goals have fizzled out leaving you feeling unmotivated and stuck in a rut. Sticking with a solid new routine can be hard and daunting. Here are a few conquerable healthy habits you can adopt to hold yourself accountable. Ready to start?
- Get better sleep. (Okay, okay we get it. Easier said than done.)
- Sleep is a basic need for your body – you could compromise your health and happiness if your sleep schedule is suffering.
- A better sleep schedule can help reduce stress, improve memory, productivity, mood and more!
HOW: Committing to improving your sleep schedule can seem like a hard task when you work full time or have kids/pets. To help yourself stay on track, create a bedtime routine. We’ve listed some ideas to help get you started.
– Start a bedtime ritual and stick to it! Create a comfy bedroom atmosphere – quiet and dark, or whatever relaxes you. Turn on calming music or curl up with your favorite book. Try to sleep and wake up at a consistent time.
- Drink plenty of water.
- It helps to increase energy. We all know how drained you can feel when you’re dehydrated. The more water you drink, the more alert you’ll feel.
- Drinking water can help promote weight loss by keeping your belly full.
- Save money!! Drinking water at home, at work, or out at a restaurant is a small yet big step. Cutting out sugar-filled drinks from your diet will make it easier to increase your water intake.
- Research shows that in addition to your daily water intake, you should drink at least one cup of water for each caffeinated or alcoholic beverage consumed.
HOW: This can be a tough challenge for a lot of people to commit to. Set small goals that are obtainable and easy to stick with.
– Every night before heading to bed, fill your favorite water bottle or pitcher with water and store it in your refrigerator overnight. Be creative and throw in your favorite fruit for flavor infused water.
- Start wearing sunscreen.
- Whether you’re inside or outside, be sure to apply sunscreen daily.
- The magic SPF number is 30.
HOW: Applying sunscreen daily seems like a minor task, but many of us fall short. Here are a few tips to help incorporate sunscreen application into your daily routine:
– Purchase a sheer liquid sunscreen product which may be applied before makeup.
– Apply sunscreen early. Make it a part of your day!
– If not worn under makeup, re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours.
- Incorporate daily light stretching.
- Stretching can help to increase flexibility and circulation, relieve stress, and improve posture.
- As your joints lose flexibility over time, daily stretching helps to ensure that the benefits last and are not short-lived.
- Stretching only needs to take five or ten minutes, can help to reduce tension, and improve posture and balance.
- The best part is that equipment isn’t required!
HOW: Stretching is one of the most relaxing and easiest things that you can do for your body. Focus on moving – it is a normal part of your daily life even if we aren’t doing enough of it.
– To make it a habit, start out by stretching 2-3 times a week.
– Research different stretches that work for you.
– Play calming music.
Challenge yourself to complete one new activity a week. Set yourself daily reminders if needed. Adding any ideas to your daily routine can create a habit which has the reward built in – happiness and accountability.
