The Amazing Benefits of Developing Healthy Habits
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(Photo : Photo by Barbara Olsen from Pexels)
What you do every day can have a huge impact on your health and wellbeing. Healthy habits will contribute to your overall health. Conversely, bad health habits will undermine it
Following this logic, adopting healthy habits and dropping unhealthy ones will progressively improve the quality of your life. Not only will your health improve, but everything else will get better, too. When you feel terrific, you'll be motivated to change dysfunctional aspects of your life that previously overwhelmed you.
How to Quit Bad Health Habits
Quitting bad habits is the first step to better health. Here is a four-step process to break free. As an example, let's focus on smoking or drinking.
1. Make a firm decision to break the habit.
Commit to change by making a public declaration or writing a contract for yourself.
2. Change your focus away from the payoff of indulging in the habit.
The key to success in dropping a bad habit is not to focus on what you're giving up, but on the benefits you'll gain.
It's easier to quit smoking if you focus on the benefits of deeper, fuller breathing. You'll also stop coughing because your body won't have to clear out the chemicals in your airways as they enter your lungs.
It's easier to quit drinking if you focus on the benefits of clear thinking and enhanced vitality that accompany sobriety. You'll also no longer have to face the consequences of anything destructive that you did while inebriated.
3. Break the habit.
The next step is to figure out how to change your relationship with the bad habit.
If you've decided to give up smoking, you can use off-the-counter nicotine products, such as nicotine lozenges, gum, or patches to give you a leg up.
If you've decided to give up alcohol, there's also medication to stop drinking.
4. Get support.
Join a support group or seek professional help. Remember that no matter where you are in your journey - you are not alone. Associating with like-minded people or someone interested in your well-being will make it easier for you to quit habits ruining your health.
How to Build Good Habits
Adopting good habits is the second step to better health. As an example, let's talk about diet and exercise.
Besides assisting with weight management and increasing your energy, eating more nourishing foods and exercising regularly will have a positive impact on your lifestyle. For instance, a good diet and exercise program will protect heart health and decrease the risk of heart disease or stroke. It also helps prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Here are some suggestions on how to develop good eating habits:
● Read some of the top books on nutrition recommended by dietitians so that you get a clear idea about the difference between high-nutrient, low-calorie foods and low-nutrient, high-calorie foods.
● Make time for healthy food preparation and cooking
● Avoid convenience foods because they often contain high amounts of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats
● Plan your grocery shopping trips in advance.
● Include fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and pulses in your diet.
Here are some suggestions on how to develop good exercise habits:
● Choose exercise that you'll enjoy. Perhaps Qigong, Tai Chi, or yoga. Other options include bodybuilding, calisthenics, stretching, or aerobics.
● Watch videos on how to do the exercises correctly or join a class with an instructor to learn about good form.
● Create an exercise schedule.
● Use a tape measure to measure changes in body proportions, skin calipers to determine lean body mass, and bathroom scales to monitor body weight.
Practice Daily Motivation
Remind yourself daily of your "why." Developing healthy habits is no easy feat - it requires constant focus and self-discipline - both of which stem from your ability to self-motivate and work toward your goals. Journal your progress. Read inspirational books. Get an accountability partner. Self-motivation will help you stay true to your aspirations.
