Establishing healthy habits can feel overwhelming, especially if you don't know where to start or think you don't have enough time in the day. The constant rush and busy schedules of our lives can make it seem nearly impossible to achieve our health goals (or even want to commit to them). The important piece of introducing health habits during busy times is to keep it straightforward by starting slowly and including things you will want to achieve.
My opinion is simple: Do the things you enjoy that make you feel good often.
Healthy habits don't have to be complicated. You don't need to change your personality to fit in health. Instead, the more you enjoy your routine, the easier it will become to implement.
When you don't have the time and are burnt out, your health might be on the back burner, and that's okay. Health isn't about the perfect diet and exercise routine; it's about the everyday choices that make us feel good.
So, let's start simple. Here are my four steps to creating a basic health routine:
1. Dedicate yourself to one dietary goal
Choose one thing that you can commit to in your diet. The point isn't to create overarching diet goals that will stress you out even more. Instead, craft this goal in a way that makes you feel good. Below are some examples:
Eat breakfast
Eat a whole food at every meal
Drink warm lemon water with ginger in the AM
Have a daily homemade electrolyte drink
2. Dedicate yourself to one lifestyle goal
Choose one thing that you can commit to in your everyday life. When times feel rushed, having a supportive lifestyle habit can keep you in the right place. This could simply be finding one productive thing to do in the morning before going on your phone or...
Get direct sunlight in the morning
Make the bed every day
Tidy your space every night
Sit down and eat without distraction
Limit your screen time in the morning
3. Dedicate yourself to doing something physical daily
Finding time to exercise is challenging when you're busy. It can also be the last thing you want to do when you're exhausted and overwhelmed from your day. However, it is important to remember that moving your body supports your entire body and mind. The list of types of movement is endless; find your favorite way to move.
Night or morning stretching
Walk around the block
Dance
Set a step goal
4. Set aside time for something that brings you joy every day
What brings you joy? Activities that make us happy have a profound impact on our mood and stress levels. Make a joyful activity for yourself a priority. Take 5-10 minutes to commit to yourself completely. If nothing comes to mind right away, use the examples below to choose.
Make a feel-good playlist and listen to it
Journal - write down three things you're grateful for
Meditate
Read a book
Compile your list from above and commit to these habits in the following weeks.
Simplicity is key!
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