The start of a new year is a great time to pick up new healthy habits. We tend to think of each new year as a fresh start and an opportunity to make our lives better. It’s estimated that 188.9 million Americans make some sort of new year’s resolution every January, but that doesn’t mean that you need to make a massive life change in order to make improvements in your health.
There are several small habits you can start to create a healthier lifestyle. Curious as to what some of these choices might be? Let’s look at four small changes to begin in the new year.
Prep your food.
Planning meals and prepping food is a great way to save time and money while developing better eating habits. Experts agree that meal prep is good for you in more ways than one.
Start by planning and preparing for just a few days or meals a week. By having your meals planned out in advance, there’s less chance of you eating out on your lunch breaks, saving you lots of money in the long run. Plus, you’ll become more accustomed to smaller and healthier meals that are still satisfying and filling. Looking for some easy, tasty, and quick meals to try for yourself? Check out this list for inspiration.
Take your vitamins.
Since we’re on the topic of prepping your food in advance, it’s a great time to start thinking about vitamins and minerals. Maybe you’re getting all your essential nutrients from your food and lifestyle, but more often we need help to bridge that gap.
Vitamin supplements like these are exactly the types of added nutrients you need to get your body running in tip-top shape. It’s a new year, and a little boost to the system could be the difference between a healthy lifestyle and an unhealthy one. Who knows? You may also find yourself with more energy and motivation after trying a vitamin B6 and ginseng infused product like this.
Get out and get active.
Because of one reason or another, it feels like many of us have been spending less time outside, and more time at home. Outdoor activities provide benefits both mentally and physically that you can’t get anywhere else. The great outdoors gives you fresh air, vitamin D from the sun, and it’s even been proven to lower your blood pressure.
Make a habit of spending more time outside this year to benefit your mind and your body. Plan just one outdoor activity a week and build from there. Before you know it, you will practically be living like an outdoorsman. Here are a few easy and fun outdoor activities to get you started:
- Go for a bike ride.
- Take a short walk around the neighborhood.
- Play a game of ultimate frisbee in the park.
- Visit your local farmer’s market. Use this website as a resource to find one near you!
Drink more water.
This one seems obvious, but the truth is you can always be more hydrated. You’ve probably heard that the average adult should be drinking 8 glasses of water per day. In reality, some individuals need way more, depending on multiple factors such as their activity level.
It’s recommended that men drink 15.5 cups and women drink 11.5 cups of fluid a day to remain healthy and hydrated. Is your water bottle nearby? Stop and take a sip right now.
Start today!
The new year is a great time to start developing these healthy lifestyle habits, but you can begin them at any time of year. What’s stopping you from living your best life? It’s up to you to get out there and get healthy!
Looking to kickstart your year of better health with a new workout routine? Check out this blog for some pointers.
