When things get hectic, our healthy habits are often the first to be neglected. The key to prioritizing your health is the ability to get back on track as soon as possible—whether that’s tomorrow morning or perhaps right this minute!
As with everything you set out to do, we recommend starting with small, achievable steps.
Quick healthy habits will be so much easier to implement—and more importantly, you’ll have more success in maintaining them—and the ability to build on them in the future.
All you have to do is make some simple changes to your daily routine. There’s nothing drastic here, so there’s no reason not to jump right in!
The best part is that you don’t even have to start all of these habits at once. Start with one or two and incorporate the others when you’ve found some success to build on.
To get started, here are our favorite quick habits for a healthier you!
1. Do Some Meal Prep The Night Before
One of the top excuses for not eating healthier is lack of time. You get home after a long day of work or school and the last thing you want to do is cook. Now, imagine if your meal could be completely ready in 20 minutes or less. That sounds reasonable, right?
Make a habit of prepping your meals the night before. Chop any veggies, start marinating your meat, and have your recipe handy. It’s easier to divide cooking into two separate tasks: prep work the night before and cooking the next day.
You can even go a step further by prepping as much of the next day as possible, such as programming the coffee maker and setting aside items to pack for lunch.
2. Start With A Healthy Breakfast
A great way to start your day is with a healthy meal. It sets the tone for the entire day and gives you valuable energy. It’s also one of the easiest habits for a healthier you.
Oatmeal, a smoothie, a yogurt parfait or a hard-boiled egg with a bowl of fruit are excellent options. All of these are incredibly easy to prep, take only a few minutes to eat, and get you on your way to feeling healthier.
Cooking Light and Real Simple both have wonderful quick breakfast ideas to help you start your day off right.
3. Schedule Your Workouts
How often do you say you want to workout, but you just don’t feel like it right now? We recommend scheduling your workouts at the beginning of the week. Set a time each day and stick to it.
Consider this block of time as just as important as a major business meeting or even a doctor’s appointment. Don’t skip out just because you can.
Some easy ways to stick to your schedule include:
- Find an accountability partner
- Take a walk around lunch or dinner
- Sign up online for a class
- Try an app that pays you to stay on track
- Start or join a challenge on irunurun
4. Take Breaks To Stretch and Move
Stretching is the easiest habit for a healthier you! All you need is a few minutes here and there throughout your day. Start with a few minutes in the morning to wake up. Take stretch breaks throughout your day. Also, stand and move around often. You can even do some work or take your calls while standing up.
Stretching and moving help increase blood flow, reduce muscle tension, improve joint health, build stronger muscles and much more. Plus, simply taking a short walk and moving around boosts your creativity. Health magazine provides a few ideas for stretches to add to your day.
5. Track Your Hydration
Drinking enough water every day is vital to feeling and looking your best, yet most of us simply don’t get enough. That’s why you should start your day with a full water bottle. Then, refill it throughout the day to get your recommended ounces.
Use a water bottle with ounces labeled to help you stay on track. While eight glasses is the standard, ideally, you should drink half your body weight in ounces. So, if you weigh 150 lbs, you should try to drink 75 oz per day. Nutritionists also recommend other ways to calculate how much to drink
6. Wind Down Before Bed
A good night’s rest is key to your health, but it’s not always easy. That’s why winding down is one of the best habits for a healthier you. Take some time to relax. Write about your day or jot down what you’re grateful for in your Day Designer. Read, listen to soothing music, and/or meditate. Just focusing on your breathing helps reduce stress and send you off to sleep faster.
7. Meditate When Overwhelmed
Finally, take a few minutes to meditate whenever you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious. You can do this at any time throughout your day. It’s easy to add it to your routine and you’ll feel so much better.
Maintaining habits for a healthier you means you’ll need to track your progress. Our FREE Habit Tracker printable will you do just that!
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