I love this topic because there is ALWAYS something to try. I had a professor once who told my class not to use concrete words like 'always,' but in this case I'm going to use it...
People call me self-disciplined. If I was, you'd probably already have heard of me. No, I just know what's good for me and what makes me feel better. I also know, if I want a certain outcome, I have to think about what it might take to get it. I take all the small things that all of the studies and research says are good for you and I turn them into daily or weekly habits. If you're new to it or trying to do life differently, even the teeniest of starter habits can be beneficial!
I'm not trying to toot my horn, but I am trying to use myself as an example. Again, I firmly believe that all of those little acts of healthy habit add up to make a huge difference over time and for life!
For example: I recently went to a 30th high school reunion. One of my former classmates asked me what I did to make it look like I hadn't aged as much as some of our other classmates. I started with examples like, 'I drink a lot of water, I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, I get my 10,000 steps in a day, I use lotions, I shower at night so my allergies aren't quite as bad, I use the steps instead of the elevator, I don't keep potato chips in the house, etc, etc.' He looked at me and responded, 'SSSSSSooooooo, you do the little things that the experts talk about doing.' With a smile, I exclaimed, 'exactly.'
Adopting healthy habits can sometimes seem daunting, but with the right approach, they can be surprisingly easy to incorporate into your daily routine. The key lies in understanding that healthy habits often align with natural tendencies, require minimal effort when done correctly, and can lead to significant improvements in overall well-being. Some topics we will discuss, however, not limited to:
1. How to not necessarily change what you're doing, but simply modify them.
2. The options to make certain or all habits easier to adopt.
3. Starting small.
4. The easiest and the free habits.
5. What is enjoyable and what makes you happy.
6. Focus on some immediate benefits and realize others may take a bit longer.
7. Find which technologies might be best for you.
8. Be patient.
9. Time can be an issue, what to do when the day seems too short.
Healthy habits, as they relate to fitness, exercise, nutrition, hygiene, sleep, stress, etc., can be easy to adopt when approached with a practical mindset. With patience and self-compassion, these habits can become a natural and effortless part of your daily life!