A new year means a fresh new start and a great time for a health reset!
Setting a few health goals for the year ahead can help you live a happier life and healthier lifestyle. But kick-starting new habits can feel like a tough job, let alone maintaining those habits across the year! More often than not, any health-related resolutions we tend to make are usually restrictive and unsustainable. And when we set the bar so high, we inevitably blow it, blame ourselves, and return to the status quo.
Too many people set their sights too high and are fixated on the goal rather than the destination. But you really don’t need to make drastic changes or restrictive resolutions to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Here are some quick and easy habits that you adopt right now to help you lead a healthier lifestyle in 2023.
Take a minute to be more mindful and present
Mindfulness is a simple tool that enables us to check in with ourselves, observe our needs, and leave the stresses behind whilst being fully present. Taking a moment out to be mindful can help us recognise each moment, allowing us to fully enjoy the good stuff! Mindful exercises, such as mindful meditation, are simple tools to help calm the mind and body. Best of all, meditation can be carried out any time of the day – even when carrying out something as simple as breathing, cooking, eating or exercising.
Prioritize your sleep quality
Quality is always better than quantity, wouldn’t you agree? And I think it’s especially true when it comes to sleep! It’s of course really important to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night, but getting good quality sleep (where you sleep straight through the night without waking up multiple times) is the ultimate recipe to a good night’s rest.
Good quality sleep makes a world of difference, especially because it helps you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to smash your new year goals! You can kick-start the habit by sticking to a regular sleep schedule. Being consistent by going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day – even on weekends – can help improve the quality and quantity of your sleep. Aim to set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get between 7-8 hours of sleep. Also, try to avoid late afternoon naps, as they can throw off sleep at night and interfere with your normal sleep cycle.
You could even add a supplement to your routine for a quality night’s sleep. The formula is designed to help you fall asleep easier thanks to a blissful blend of all-natural sleep aids including Magnesium, Chamomile, L-theanine, 5-HTP and Lemon Balm to help you relax and drift off to a deeper restorative sleep.
Squeeze some movement into your life
Finding time to move our bodies is a real struggle for many people around the world, especially with work. But carving out some time to move your body and staying active can make a real difference to your health. In fact, there is plenty of evidence that shows getting at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week can help cut the risk of heart disease and stroke. Engaging in regular exercise is also a great way to help you maintain a healthy body weight, boost your happy hormones, and can even help improve your mental health.
Yoga, jogging, swimming, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? The world of exercise can be really fun; just be sure to choose a form of exercise you enjoy to increase the likelihood of you keeping it up!
Bridge any nutrient shortfalls
The start of the year is a great time to review your current nutritional intake and check for any nutrient shortfalls. If you find it challenging to get certain nutrients through food alone, you may wish to consider taking a supplement. However, always check with your healthcare professional first if you have any concerns.
Dietary supplements can help provide vital nutrients (the same nutrients found in food) to help support health, increase energy levels, boost mood and provide mental clarity.
Some days you might miss out on getting enough of your recommended portions of fruits and vegetables. Although you should try hard to eat a balanced diet every day, it’s a good idea to take a daily multivitamin to ensure you’re getting in all of your essential nutrients. Multivitamins are a useful tool to help bridge the nutrition gap, helping us maintain a proper balance of nutrients every day.
Choose plant-based foods over highly processed foods
Diets heavy in ultra-processed foods can enhance the risk of diet-related health problems like obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, and may even fast-track your cells to age faster. While processed foods may seem like the easiest choice, they often lack nutrients and increase your risk of chronic diseases.
Simply eating more plants and natural foods can help you get healthier with minimal effort. Plant-based foods tend to have more fibre and are packed in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals (naturally occurring chemicals that work in synergy to promote wellness); basically all the good stuff! So it may not come as a surprise to hear that plant-based diets are associated with benefits such as lower blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and reduced body weight. These favourable health outcomes can also translate to a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and obesity.
