3 Ways to Promote Healthier Lifestyles

When life gets busy, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. Fast food is quick and doesn’t require you to wash dishes. Lounging on the couch while watching shows and eating snacks can easily fill your free time. Staying up too late and scrolling on your phone keeps you entertained and up-to-date on the latest trends.

But that doesn’t mean it comes without its drawbacks. You may feel less motivated, more fatigued, and deal with more health problems. You could put on weight that affects your confidence and self-esteem. You might come to the realization that easier doesn’t mean better. If that resonates, look no further than these tips to up your healthy lifestyle habits.

1. Build on Your Current Routine

The easiest way to promote and live a healthier lifestyle is by capitalizing on what you already do. Now, you may be thinking that your healthy habits are few and far between. But you probably do more health-focused activities than you give yourself credit for.

Take a Saturday filled to the brim with errands, for example. You’re probably walking a bit browsing the aisles of your favorite store. You likely have some sort of hydrating beverage with you on the go. You may head to the park to watch your kids play. These aren’t necessarily inherently healthy, but they do offer a great starting point for healthy habits.

All you have to do is make a few tweaks and your typical Saturday can become something that’s intentionally health-focused. Wear a comfortable outfit and pair of shoes, challenging yourself to walk at least three miles on your errands. Swap your caffeinated beverage for water or something more filling like a protein-packed smoothie. Take advantage of the playground equipment at the park by actively playing with your kids. Maybe even do a few pull ups on the monkey bars.

On their own, these changes don’t seem like much. However, when combined and repeated every Saturday for a year, you start to build healthy habits. From there, you’re operating under the assumption of health as a priority. That can’t help but bleed into other areas of life.

2. Create a Health-Focused Schedule

It’s no secret that finding time to do everything is a common challenge. You’re often left to choose between work, family, hobbies, and alone time, and that’s not even all of it. As such, it’s common for people to have the motivation to be healthier but lack the time. That’s why scheduling your healthy habits is so important.

How you go about doing that is up to you. If you have a color-coded calendar with everyone in the family’s schedules on it, use that. Or opt for a digital version that can be updated whenever you need to make a change. Just ensure that you’re intentionally finding the time to make your healthy habits possible.

Then, it’s just about keeping up with it and using a habit tracker. Add what’s on the menu each night for dinner and when you plan to work out. Document your water intake and log your steps when you track them. Plan your rest days and when you’ll be heading to the gym.

The best part? This schedule doesn’t have to be restrictive. It can simply be as much or as little information as is needed to keep you on track. If it works for a bit and then doesn’t, make adjustments. As long as you’re making an effort, your healthy lifestyle will follow suit more often than not.

3. Experiment in the Kitchen

When you think of healthy cooking, do bland chicken and vegetables come to mind? If so, your recipe repertoire needs a serious upgrade. And that’s OK! Trying out new combinations and discovering your favorite healthy dishes is a fun part of a healthy lifestyle.

Start by thinking through what your typical week of meals looks like. Then, identify what you like and dislike about each meal. Maybe one is too bland or you’ve eaten it too much. Another meal may be great for how easy it is to make but leave some flavor to be desired.

Once you’re armed with your feelings about what you’re eating, you’re ready for a meal makeover. Talk to loved ones about their favorite dishes or head online to search for new recipes with tried and true ingredients. Feeling particularly daring? Head to the kitchen and simply start putting things together to make a meal without a guide.

Cooking and eating can and should be a fun part of your life. So, find ways to put a healthy spin on your favorite classics and try new meals as often as you like. The result will be a healthier, more balanced approach to eating at home. And that will promote healthy living from the inside out.

Happier, Healthier You

Will being healthy always be easy? No, but it is worth it. Once you get in a groove, you’ll see and feel a noticeable difference in your body. You’ll have energy you never thought you could. You’ll explore new challenges and grow your interests.

And all it requires is for you to find a routine you enjoy. Ultimately, making healthier choices is a lifestyle change that can have a drastic impact on your health and happiness. You just have to get started and stick with it.