One of the things that keep people from embarking on a new healthy lifestyle is the idea that they have to make a complete and dramatic change to the way they live their lives. In fact, implementing small changes over a period of time makes it much more likely that you’ll permanently incorporate healthy habits into your everyday life. In other words, start small for big results.
Pick One Thing
You don’t have to go from being a couch potato to running a marathon overnight. Pick one new healthy habit to implement each week. According to Shape, clean eating has numerous benefits. Start by going through your fridge and pantry, and get rid of processed foods, high-fat treats, and sugary snacks. Replace them with fresh fruits and veggies, lean protein, and filtered water. The following week, make a commitment to taking a walk around the block every night after dinner. Continue adding small incremental changes to your health plan until they’re all successfully integrated into your everyday life.
Get Your Kids Involved
Parents who model healthy behaviors for their children are more likely to see their kids develop good habits than parents who say one thing and do another. Demonstrate how physical activity can be fun with bicycling, dancing, or a sport like martial arts. Amerikick Martial Arts in Brooklyn has some great programs for kids and adults alike.
You can also cook with your kids and explore new recipes and food items to get them into the habit of making good choices when it comes to food and eating. According to Mind Journal, the more these habits become part of your family’s lifestyle, the more likely they will turn into lifelong practices.
Get Creative
Be creative with getting active. You don’t need to have a gym membership or a room full of expensive workout equipment to get into a healthy regime. Your home can be its own workout station! Do presses and bicep dips on walls and countertops, add a chin-up bar to a sturdy doorway, or learn how to do chair yoga. Using these creative measures creates an environment where you won’t have any excuses for not following your new healthy routine. Remember: Exercise doesn’t need to be boring to be effective!
Make Your Mind Matter
A holistic approach to living well includes paying attention to your mental and emotional health, as well as your physical well-being. Carve out a meditation space in your home where you can relax, reflect, and regroup. Sitting in repose, practicing breathing techniques, or even listening to your favorite music can help you reduce stress and tension, sleep better, and decrease the potential for depression and anxiety.
Clean Inside And Out
Part of healthy living means being in a healthy environment. Clean your house from top to bottom and use environmentally-friendly cleaning products so you’re not adding toxins to the air. Consider an air purifier and add live plants to help clean and oxygenate the air. Decluttering and living in a sustainable fashion can make you feel better overall — reducing tension, helping the environment, and promoting environmentally-sound care for yourself and your family.
Integrating a healthy new way of living can feel a bit overwhelming if you try to do everything at once. Taking it step-by-step makes it more likely you’ll stick to new habits. Once you get started, you may notice that the better you feel and the more physical stamina you have, the more likely you are to stay with the program.
If you live in the Brooklyn area or you’re interested in virtual martial arts training, check out Amerikick Martial Arts or call (718) 768-8200.
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