Small Habit Changes, Big Life Improvements Part 3
Embarking on a healthier lifestyle is what many of us strive for. Be that at the beginning of the week, month or year.
This idea can often seem daunting and unachievable. However, small changes are all that are needed in order to create a healthy lifestyle.
Implementing these simple and easy changes into your daily life will enable you to reach your goals. Whether that is to lose weight, gain energy, sleep better, or savour time with family and friends.
Small changes will ultimately lead to a happier, healthier you.
Environmental
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- Go exploring – whether this is urban or rural, investing new surroundings will unearth some hidden gems you were unaware you had around you.
- Try a different route to your destination. We can often go into autopilot if we make our way to the same place each day. Try an alternate route to wake your brain up.
- If it is an option, choose to travel on foot or by bicycle instead of public transport or car.
- Our world can become very small without even realising. From your house, to your car, to your desk and back again. Instead, take the stairs, go for a wander at lunchtime and stretch your legs every half an hour.
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Media and external influences
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- Look after your mental health – ignore body image influences within the media, it is well documented that even the models don’t look like that in real life!
- If you enjoy gaming, opt for physical video games such as the Wii instead of more sedentary ones.
- Ignore online detox and faddy diets along with any form diet pills or weight loss supplements.
- Embrace healthy apps such as step trackers or exercise plans.
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Physiology
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- Don’t get entirely hung up on your weight or BMI. It is obviously a decent place to start and will give you an indicator of your overall health, but don’t ignore your fitness level and muscle mass and strength.
- Eat foods high in protein and fibre to help you feel fuller for longer. This will help you to feel satisfied and able to spend all of your energy on something you enjoy doing.
- Try and start going to bed half an hour earlier – research has shown that getting enough sleep is important for weight management. Have you ever had a bad night’s sleep and wanted to eat everything in sight the next day?
- Build up your fitness and stamina simply by moving more and at a faster pace than usual.
- Maintain your lean muscle mass by lifting weights at least twice per week – these can be done at home or at the gym. Increasing muscle mass and decreasing your fat percentage will increase the amount of calories your body will burn each day.
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