Living in the 21st century is amazing! Advanced technology, better living conditions, and a million opportunities on every corner. Yet, we are surrounded by various distractions and unhealthy temptations, making the modern age a two-edged sword. The fast way of living, bad habits, and procrastination influence our mental and physical health.
It all starts with a couple of minor reoccurring issues, and before you know it, you have the elephant in the room. However, it’s never too late to jumpstart a healthy change in your life, no matter how small it might be. To do so, you will have to arm yourself with determination, persistence, and positive thinking.
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It all Starts with a Single Step
Someone wise once said, “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are!” And this quote couldn’t be more accurate. Therefore, you need to think about your unhealthy habits and the things you want to change in your life. Why is change necessary? What do you want to achieve? And most importantly, how badly do you want to succeed in your goal? The answers will depend on the seriousness of your current situation.
Let’s say you’re not an early bird, and you want to change that. Set up the alarm at 6 am and go for a run! The fresh morning air and quiet surroundings will benefit you greatly. Waking up early will be hard at first, but regulating your sleep cycle and starting the day with physical activity will help keep you in shape while giving you the necessary energy for the rest of the day.
Small changes will get you there faster
Some problems influence our way of life while others influence our health. Either way, making up your mind is the first step if you want to see change happen. Still, to make it easier on yourself, focus on changing one thing at a time. It’s never late to start with New Year’s resolutions, so take a pen and paper and start writing. Circle your priorities that need to be addressed first. Starting with significant changes might be more challenging than you think, so it’s better to start with small ones. By eliminating them, you will get the boost required to climb up those stairs of success. Also, you will build resilience that will help you overcome bigger challenges.
Jumpstart healthy change in your life with the right schedule
One of the most common inconveniences when it comes to starting any activity as a working person is a busy schedule. Sometimes we work too hard and too long, without being able to squeeze in even the most important things, like spending time with our loved ones. Not to mention neglecting physical activities and healthy eating. Combined with the common modern-day enemy known as stress, both things are potential health risk triggers that you need to address.
No matter how busy your schedule is, it would be best if you could find time to work on your weight and improve your overall health. Losing weight with a busy schedule is challenging but not impossible. Therefore, open up your calendar and find some free time for a healthy routine that will benefit your lifestyle. There can’t be any excuses. No matter how hard you work, you can spare a half-hour of your day for it. Whether it comes to exercise, preparing a healthy meal to take to work, or taking a walk, these small things will improve your wellbeing in the long run.
Replace bad habits with good ones
Getting rid of habits is hard. No matter how badly you want to stop, your brain is used to the idea and keeps circling you back to it. From biting your nails to eating at 2 am to overthinking, they come in various forms, some more serious than others. Therefore, next time you think about doing something you know is terrible for you, replace it with something good. Have a glass of water! Eat some green vegetables! Call a friend!
Fill your spare time with good activities
Replacing bad habits with good ones sounds easy on paper, but we all know it’s not. Having that in mind, jumpstart a healthy change in your life by turning waste of time into quality time. You can always start by:
- spending time outdoors instead of procrastinating on the couch,
- taking power naps instead of having too much caffeine,
- going to bed early and waking up earlier to fix your sleeping cycle,
- preparing healthy meals with fresh ingredients instead of eating processed food,
- Rather than driving, I decided to walk to the nearest store,
- taking a few minutes to separate garbage for recycling,
- reading books instead of spending time on social media.
Any of these simple things will influence your mood and wellbeing. However, adding physical activity is essential for mind and body balance. Engaging in activities like meditation and yoga will benefit you a lot. You can start by downloading some apps and fixing a time on your schedule. The best hours for exercise are probably early in the morning or before bedtime. It’s up to you. In no time, you’ll notice and feel the difference..
Find ways to vent
Having a long-term challenge in our life can be frustrating. We are eager to see the results of our sacrifice, and we often lose motivation after a while. But when that time comes, you need to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the outcome of your hard work will show in time. Therefore, you mustn’t be hard on yourself. Find ways to vent and reward yourself for each step you take, no matter how small the compensation is. The most important thing when wanting to jumpstart healthy change in your life is to stay committed. If you gradually work toward your goal and remain persistent, the results will reward you in more ways than you might think.
