Health and happiness go hand in hand. If you don’t have your health, there’s a much higher chance that you’ll suffer from depression.
Health and Happiness in 6 Easy Steps
Health allows you to pursue exciting paths that you might otherwise be too tired or physically unable to go for. A few simple lifestyle practices can get you in the way to long lasting health and happiness. Add one new habit every three days and you’ll find that before long you’ll have a healthy routine and all the befits that go with it.
1. Eat breakfast every day.
It's the most important meal of the day and can set the tone of the day. The fuel you start your day with can make the difference between feeling draggy or feeling fantastic. Don't skip it.
2. Drink lots of water.
In these days of coffee, tea, sodas, seltzers, colas and coolers it's easy to think we're getting all the water we need, but nothing beats good ol' plain water. Eight glasses a day helps keep your body hydrated and running like a well tuned engine.
3. Get a good night's sleep.
Poor sleep patterns can quickly disrupt every aspect of your life. Research shows that 6 to 8 hours of restful sleep is what most of us need to be happy and productive. If you're having problems sleeping, contact a doctor or a sleep study center to get the help you need.
4. Eat more fruit and vegetables.
Vegetables and fruit are a great low calorie way to fill up and fruit may help curb your cravings for processed sugars. They’re also filled with vitamins and minerals your body needs.
5. Start walking.
Park further away from your destination than usual and carve out 10 to 20 minutes a day for a quick walk. Do this a few times a week and the results will amaze you.
6. Turn off the internet
Read a book, get outside and play with the kids or your pets, have a conversation with friends. Look for things to do other than staring at a screen or hitting refresh on social media sites. Real interactions with the outside world will do wonderful things for your mental health.
None of these things requires you to spend a lot of money. None of them take much time or energy. But each one can, over time, dramatically improve your physical and mental health. Pick one new habit every few days to get happy and healthy!
The image featured at the top of this post is © Mikhail Dudarev.