How to Develop Healthy Life Habits
Living a full and healthy life requires developing life habits that you can abide by naturally and instinctively. Developing healthy life habits requires more than intention such as New Years' resolutions, according to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent. It takes commitment, confidence and having a written plan posted in places where you can review it frequently. Once you have performed your healthy changes repeatedly and consistently, they will become your daily lifestyle.
Instructions
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Develop a consistent and healthy sleeping habit. If you tend to fall asleep at inconsistent times every night and wake up at varying times, your sleeping habits will need to change in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages four hours before bedtime, performing exercises which raise your heart rate and taking naps during the day. Instead, perform relaxing activities before bed such as meditation or breathing exercises to help you develop good sleeping habits, also known as "sleeping hygiene." According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should sleep between 7 to 9 hours daily and teens 8.5 to 9.25 hours daily.
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Plan an exercise routine. Being active for at least 30 minutes a day for a minimum of five days a week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases. If you have a gym membership, consult a complimentary fitness trainer to help familiarize you with the different exercise machines. Devise an exercise routine using weight training and cardio exercise. Exercise alternatives include playing a sport you love and doing chores such as mowing the lawn, washing your car, cleaning the house, etc. Soon, exercising will become a regular part of your lifestyle.
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Develop a healthy diet. Eat different kinds of whole grain, unprocessed foods, low-fat and fat-free products, fruits and vegetables. Be aware of the nutrition labels and ingredients to avoid foods such as saturated fats, cholesterol, excess salt and sugar and trans fats. Replace your carbonated and alcoholic beverages with at least 64 ounces of water each day.
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References
- National Sleep Foundation: Waking America to the Importance of Sleep
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: What is a "Healthy Diet"?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Sleep Hygiene
- American College of Sports Medicine: Physical Activity and Public Health Guideliens
- CNN Health: How to make Those New Year's Resolutions Stick
- Photo Credit exercise lady image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
