Healthy Habits For 2018
Happy New Year Everyone! I am excited to start this new year with many new ideas. I am currently hunkered down in my home during this blizzard we are having in NJ. I thought I'd make a list of healthy habits for the new year 2018!
Some say it takes 21 days to break and create new habits, I'd say it takes around 3 months depending on what habit you're trying to change. Either way, I think creating new habits in January is the perfect way to start off the new year!
These healthy habits aren't in any particular order.
- Drink plenty of (lemon) water - there are so many good things that happen to your body when consuming lemon water. Hydration, digestion improvement, helps boost your immune system, improves your skin, alkalizes your body, helps cleanse your body, reduces mucus and much more. (I am prone to kidney stones, so lemon water is a go to for me.)
- Sleep more - adults should have between 7-9 hours of sleep. This doesn't always happen for everyone, but it should be made a habit to try and have at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Drinking decaf tea before bed with a good book (no electronics 1-2 hours before bed time) will help with letting the body and mind know it's time for sleep. I use the app on the iPhone called bedtime. This monitors my sleep habits and tells me when to sleep to achieve the amount of hours I need.
- Read more books + less social media - I don't know many people who read books anymore, I for one love reading. A trip to Barnes and Nobles is always a good time. I like to read actual books and not from a computer/phone screen. It takes the experience away. Reading is a great way to learn new words/meanings, keep the brain stimulated and also helps keep the mind creative. I find reading to be very peaceful and social media to be the complete opposite, all I ever see on social media is negativity which I want no part of.
- Avoid negativity - it's not just on social media, it is all around us. I try and stay away from it, but sometimes it is impossible. I keep those close to me who are positive individuals who have a good head on their shoulders. I won't associate myself with those who are negative nancys and never have anything good to say. When I do have to deal with negative people, I just smile and think maybe they are going through a rough patch .. but if they are always like that, I just thank god I am not them.
- Find relaxation - this might be for some meditation and for others gardening or baking. Clearing your mind from stress is important. By doing something you love will help release the stress. Using a journal is also a great way to get rid of any thoughts that are bothering you. A healthy mind creates a healthier you.
- Be more grateful - this is a habit I find is something everyone should be doing. I write down what I am grateful for everyday and this keeps me aware of my life and how blessed I am. Weoften forget that our lives aren't as bad as we sometimes believe them to be. There will always be someone who lives a better life than you and you will always live a better life than someone else. Not everyone has a roof over their heads, food on the table and heat to keep them warm at night.
- Pray more - give it to God and go to sleep. This habit will not apply to everyone as we all have our beliefs and that is perfectly okay. For me, I like to make sure I pray for others and myself before I sleep and even throughout the day if need be.
- No more junk food - I have mentioned this in another post, but eating healthy can really make a difference to your life. I try and maintain a healthy diet with protein, fruits/veggies and good fats. (I am not a vegetarian or vegan, but I do not consume red meat.) I eat turkey and chicken, but not a large quantity of it. Most of my meals are more vegetarian. I get all of my iron from leafy greens and my energy levels have never been better. Chips, cookies and whatever else contains no nutritional value is not good for you, but there is nothing wrong with having these things every once in a while. Home cooked meals are also always better than eating out.
- Exercise - you probably knew I'd say this. Don't worry though I don't mean go for a 5 mile run or lift weights. Exercising can be simple and easy. I enjoy doing yoga in the comfort of my own home (I've belonged to yoga studios, but it gets expensive.) I recommend having a yoga chart to go off of and challenge yourself with different moves. If you don't like yoga, you can still exercise using different methods and switching up the areas of your body to work out throughout the week.this chart is from avodau
- Keep the skin clean - our skin is the largest organ of our body, weighing approximately 3.5 pounds and yes it gets dirty. Keeping our skin clean from dirt and germs is a good way to stay healthy and also help keep acne away. Using a cleanser, exfoliate and toner are just a few things to help our skin. Also always use an SPF !
- Plan ahead - whether you are going to work, school or a party always plan ahead. Nothing is worse than running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to get to where you need to be on time. Picking out an outfit the night before will save you time and telling yourself you have to leave earlier than you have to is also a great trick. If you need to write things down or place a reminder in your phone, do so this way you won't forget anything you need to take with you. Keep a schedule for any upcoming events in future and you could go as far as writing a bills to pay list -- which i have myself.
- Travel more - even if it's in your own state. Seeing and experiencing new places is a great way to keep the mind young. It also is a great conversation starter.
Do you have any healthy habits for the new year?
14 Comments
So many good habits to adopt! Especially getting more sleep and avoiding negativity. Reading more books is definitely on my list of 2018 goals!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am glad you enjoyed the post !
Deletexx Laura
Hey Laura! This is a great post. I have literally the exact same goals as you this year! Trying to increase productivity and overall wellness. Happy new year and good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Bethany! That's awesome! I began these goals in 2017 and I am carrying them over to continue in 2018 :) ! Happy New Year!
Deletexx Laura
I love this! And I agree- when people are negative, I try to tell myself they are just struggling with something in their life. Xo
ReplyDeleteExactly! It really does make things easier that way. I end up forgetting about it later on so there is no point in taking it personal because more than often it isn't directed towards you.
Deletexx Laura
The area where I am in most need of improvement is sleep. I tend to push myself too far and don't even let myself take naps. I really need to improve in this area.
ReplyDeleteSleep is the number #1 habit i struggle with. There are times I do not let myself rest, but I have to remind myself of how I feel in the long run when I don't sleep enough to keep myself in check lol.
Deletexx Laura
Reading more, drinking more water, and exercising consistently are all goals of mine for 2018!
ReplyDelete<3 Brooklyn | latidoblog.weebly.com
Yes! :) I have doubled up on my reading!
Deletexx Laura
These are all so fantastic! I need to get some lemon tomorrow! I loved the tip to get more sleep, as this is something I really need to work on. Thanks for so many great ideas.
ReplyDeleteYes! Lemon water has changed so many things for me including bloating! I never cared about getting enough sleep and now it's something I am strict about, makes such a difference in your day.
Deletexx Laura
I love everything that you posted. I have adopted a few of these ideas myself. I am making sure to have lemon water as I wake up every morning. I do need to work on getting more sleep.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I am glad to hear that! I love my lemon water in the morning,starts my day off right!
Deletexx Laura