As we are looking for a way to achieve a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle, then these 10 tips to a healthy lifestyle will show you that, if incorporated consistently into your routine, could significantly enhance your life quality.
Why is it Important to Have a Balanced Lifestyle
If you have read the About-me page then you might get a flavour of the plate spinning, life juggling challenges I was living, particularly pre Covid pandemic. We all lead busy lives, juggling careers, relationships, and personal aspirations, and as such, it’s easy to lose sight of the pursuit of balance and fulfilment. However, with that in mind, I want you to fast forward and project yourself to 3 months in the future.
Picture this: You wake up one morning, feeling energized and excited about the day ahead. As you reflect on your day, you realize that the 10 habits you have cultivated over the last 90 days have not only transformed your daily routine but have become the pillars of how you structure your days, weeks and potentially future. Your life is content and purposeful. So how did you get here? What was put in place to achieve this? Let me share with you 10 tips for a healthy living that I found others, particularly successful others, were using and applying daily.
1. Mindful Mornings:
You need to Begin your day with intention. A study by the American Psychological Association found that individuals who engage in mindfulness practices in the morning report lower stress levels throughout the day, fostering a positive mindset conducive to productivity and happiness. Now, I am not saying you need to start chanting mantras etc (unless that is your thing) no, what I did daily was just run through a few positive things in my mind. Usually this was just what I AM going to achieve today, etc. nothing fancy, just in a positive light. ‘Glass half full’ mentality.
2. Purpose and Goal Setting
I am sure that you have heard all the usual statements. ‘A ship without a rudder is going nowhere’ ‘An airline pilot does not just take off, without having a flight plan’ ‘without a map how do you get to your destination’ etc. Having a sense of purpose is linked to increased life satisfaction. Studies in the Journal of Positive Psychology indicate that setting meaningful goals and working towards them provides a sense of direction and fulfilment in life. One of the best things you can do, before you go to bed, is to write down the 10 most important things you need to do tomorrow. Mix the list up, eg: 5 work items, 3 personal, 2 family or whatever. This helped me with point 1 above. But here is the tough call… You need to do this for 28 days consecutively. Studies show that any habit repeated over a 26-to-32-day timeframe become ingrained. Incidentally, include your weekends in this. Once I started doing this with simple things like, clear and sweep the yard, re-wax and re-proof a waxed jacket, meet up with… simple things, but believe me when I say that the sense of accomplishment when you cross these things off feels great.
3. Regular Exercise Routine:
A research article published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity indicates that consistent exercise not only improves physical health but also contributes significantly to mental well-being, reducing the risk of depression and anxiety. Whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or weight training, find an activity that brings you joy as you will not continue with something if you don’t like it. If you can combine various things you enjoy at the same time then so much the better. I love the outdoors; I love hiking in the woods and across the hills near me. I love my old period Victorian home with its open fireplaces and wood burning stove. So, I combine my daily walking with gathering wood (in small amounts) for the woodpile as I go. Simple pleasures but keeps me ultimately walking.
4. Balanced Nutrition
According to a study in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, maintaining a balanced diet rich in nutrients positively impacts overall well-being. Nutrient-dense foods fuel your body, providing sustained energy and supporting both physical and mental health. Our diet is so key in not only how we feel daily (bloated, tired, no energy, see our article on Supplements to Help Boost Metabolism) but also in the long term bad dietary habits can build up. Small amounts, for example of sugar rich snacks each day, can build up so that in the long term the health and medical problems can be vast. The Film Director Morgan Spurlock, in 2003 set out to show what impact eating fast food could have on his body if a fast-food meal was eaten 3 times a day over a 30-day period. I will leave you to draw your own conclusions on his documentary Supersize Me more info here.
5. Quality Sleep:
Inadequate sleep is linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular problems and cognitive decline. Prioritize sleep hygiene to ensure a restful night. A National Sleep Foundation report highlights the importance of establishing a consistent sleep schedule for optimal health. Further, our modern lives, with the daily use of technology means that we need to be extra careful in our use of the tech and sleep. For example, are you going to bed but spending hours watching online videos, or reading and answering social media? Do you have the bright blue neon light of a bedroom tv on standby mode? Perhaps a digital alarm clock, its LED screen boring its bright light into your eyes, or even something like you having an old mattress?. One, some or all these things can all contribute to you having poor quality sleep patterns. I dare not mention the possibility of a snoring partner…!
6. Meaningful Connections
Research from Harvard University suggests that maintaining strong social connections can significantly improve one’s overall happiness and well-being. Cultivate meaningful relationships with friends and family to create a support system that enriches your life. We, as humans are social animals. We need social interaction and stimulus that being with others can bring. How many people suffered mental health issues from feeling isolated, alone, and not being able to share other people’s company during the pandemic lockdown.? Make the effort, pick up the phone, talk to a friend or family member, even if it’s just to say ‘Hi…’
7. Lifelong Learning
Continuously challenging your mind contributes to cognitive health. A study in the Journal of Aging and Health shows that engaging in intellectually stimulating activities, such as reading or learning a new skill, can help prevent cognitive decline as you age. This is so important, particularly as we get older. I am sure you could all relate to people in certain active professions that have now retired. How many ex-Police, Fire officers etc retire and within 3 years have sadly passed. Often people decline in health and well being because they have not learned to substitute a once active, busy career life with things that continue to stimulate them. Even doing a daily newspaper crossword or math puzzle can keep your brain stimulated and engaged. In other words, don’t vegetate.
8. Work-Life Balance
Striking a balance between professional and personal life is crucial for sustained happiness. A report by the World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance in preventing burnout and promoting mental health. For more on this see my article on: Balancing work life stress. Achieving great work life balance in the modern world.
9. Gratitude Practice
Cultivating gratitude has been associated with increased life satisfaction. Don’t believe me. Think of the last time you bought a gift for someone, maybe a gift for a Birthday or Christmas. I bet at times you were more excited by the reaction (you hope for) the recipient of the gift displays than the recipient of the gift. Then do a 180 degree turn here. Make sure that you express gratitude for what you receive, oh and have. Be it Thankful for a fit, healthy family, or job, or what you have achieved thus far. Research from the Journal of Happiness Studies suggests that regularly expressing gratitude can lead to a more positive outlook on life, fostering a sense of fulfilment.
10. Stress Management
Chronic stress negatively impacts both physical and mental health. The American Institute of Stress recommends incorporating stress management techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, to mitigate the harmful effects of stress and all that it brings. This subject is far beyond the scope of an article such as this but if you are (or know of someone who is) suffering with stress you may need further help. Don’t be afraid in reaching out for help (yes, that means guys as well). Today the world is far more understanding of stress and mental health issues.
To sum up
In navigating the complexities of life, these 10 tips to a healthy lifestyle may form a roadmap to a balanced and fulfilling life for you. Imagine the transformative power of maybe picking 3 of these habits and implementing them.
For example: mindful morning routines combined with regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, meaningful connections, lifelong learning, work-life balance, gratitude practice, stress management, and purposeful goal-setting. How would your life change if you embraced these habits? The path to a purposeful life awaits.
Are you ready to embark on this journey? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.