A new year brings new promise. It brings hope and, inevitably, a desire to better ourselves. In many ways, each New Year is a fresh start and a chance to break old patterns and change unhealthy habits. Harness that motivation and start making long-lasting, powerful changes that will improve your mental and physical health. Here are keys to cultivating a healthier lifestyle for 2019 and beyond.
1. Ditch resolutions
The trouble with resolutions is that we often don’t follow through and succeed with them. Why? Because a resolution is more like a temporary pledge, you never really set up your lifestyle in a way that supports the change. Lasting success comes when you create habits that support the changes you want to see in your life.
2. Identify the areas you need to
strengthen for long-term health
We all know we need to eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water in order to be healthy. Many of us think we’re doing a decent job of being healthy. However, most of us are not. Researchers looked at four keys to healthfulness, including:
•Not smoking.
•Maintaining a healthy weight (a BMI of 18-25), or successfully losing weight.
•Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
•Exercising 30 minutes or more, five times a week.
3. Know what works for you
4. Disrupt and change unhealthy habits
The things we do on a regular basis, from brushing our teeth to the snacks we reach for, often become our habits. The first step toward changing any behavior is to evaluate our current habits. You need to look for ways to disrupt the patterns of unhealthy habits and establish new patterns, while continuing with your healthy habits.
5. Make small, powerful changes
6. Build a life that blends work and fun
Many successful entrepreneurs claim that work–life balance is a myth. The concept of finding balance often forces us to make concessions. Instead, embrace the fact that work and life are often blurred. More and more, companies understand that we need to address life matters while at work and that we need flexibility in our work schedules.
7. Eat a healthy diet
8. Get enough quality sleep
Getting enough quality sleep aids in both mental and physical health. Sleep is key to brain function. It affects how well you learn, work, think, react and get along with others. Having an ongoing sleep deficiency raises your risk for chronic health problems.
9. Manage stress
You can reduce and manage your stress by taking control of the things you can control. This way, when unexpected stressful events occur, you will be relaxed enough to focus on them and solve those problems without becoming overwhelmed. You can also engage in relaxing therapies such as meditation and breathing deeply to help you manage feelings of stress.
10. Slow down and reflect on the moment
Pause throughout your day and appreciate the beauty of the world around you, the sound of laughter, how the sun feels on your face, how your legs feel as you walk.
Make time to enjoy each part of your day, and then step back and enjoy the process you are a part of.
entrepreneur
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