Today’s collaborative post is about something near and dear to my heart, my health!
We all want to feel great, but sometimes, putting healthy habits into action is harder than we hope for, and it becomes like second nature to put it on the back burner. What if I told you that there are easy and actionable things you can do for your health? Here are 6 healthy habits to instill in yourself. This will help you feel great and flourish!
Create your community – Community is incredibly important. There is so much research behind the fact that doing life alone is no bueno for your health and wellness: both mentally and physically. Community and connection are SO important when it comes to healthy habits. Your community should be comprised of the people who uplift you, who keep you steady, and who bring you down to reality when you need it. They are the people who will pick you up when you fall and who surround you when you need them the most. Community is EVERYTHING.
Food > supplements – It is easy to spend our entire life savings on supplements. Trust me – I’ve seen folks do it! However, I think that one healthy habit that we could be taking away with us is that we don’t need to be spending so much money on supplements. Can they be good? Of course! And, I always recommend taking ones that help you feel great, but at the same time, nutrient-dense food should always come first. And the great thing about it? You’re nourishing your body will bio-available vitamins when you eat healthy foods, such as bone broth, pasture-raised meats, vegetables, and more. For example, if you are trying to raise your iron levels, try beef liver. Food should always come before supplements, and a lot of the time, you might not even need any (or most) supplements at all, when you are eating properly. Each person is different, so I would always recommend testing instead of guessing with a doctor!
Drink 1 extra glass of water each day – I’ve never really understood how 8 glasses of water is standard for everyone. In my eyes, the more water, the better. Water flushes out your organs, can improve your skin, and provides so many other benefits to your overall health. No matter how much you drink every day, it’s always a good rule of thumb to add at least 1 extra glass of water each day. Now, if you are drinking over a gallon already, this is probably hard. But anything under, go for it!
Start off your day with a healthy breakfast – Food is fuel and if you are treating your food as supplements, then you more than likely are already having a healthy breakfast to start off with, but this is so important! Eating breakfast ‘breaks the fast’ you’ve put your body through during sleep, allowing your glucose supply to replenish and your energy to boost. It will also give your metabolism the jump start it needs to burn calories throughout the day. Plus, you’ll be likely to consume less fat throughout the day. Research shows that breakfast eaters have a better memory and focus and are less likely to become overweight. The American Heart Association, as well as plenty of other health organizations, supports the importance of breakfast in relation to health. It seems like a no-brainer that everyone would make a point of eating breakfast, but sadly that’s not the case.
Find joy in the little things – For most (if not all) people, life is made up of an accumulation of small, precious moments. Well, sometimes not so precious, too! There are, of course, huge moments that can make a dramatic shift and change in life, but for the most part, everyday life still goes on and the moments that pass seem pretty inconsequential. But remember: it is in the little things that you find the most joy and happiness. Sometimes it is hard, but when you remind yourself of this and allow yourself to be joyful, it’s easier to actually find that joy. While that may sound too good to be true, it definitely works. Think about the way a hot shower feels after a hard day. Savor the smell and taste of a favorite meal, and enjoy the presence of your family. These are just a few examples of small moments that you might typically take for granted, but when you think about it, they are great contributors to happiness and joy.
Move every single day – Last but not least, move every single day. Movement is KEY to great health. Without it, it becomes harder and harder to do anything. Someone once told me that we only stop being able to do things when we choose to stop doing them. If you deadlift until you are 75, you more than likely will do it with ease compared to if you take a break from 20 years old – 75 years old and then try to pick it up again. There are so many ways that you can move every single day. Walking, running, hiking, riding a bike, gardening, or joining a workout class like the ones that CrossFit Solid Orange offer. Out of the CrossFit gyms in Nashville, this one has a focus on community, which is so great. They offer classes at all times of the day for busy individuals and they welcome everyone in, no matter where you are in your exercise journey.
This post was a collaborative effort – please check out my disclosure policy page for more details.