This is great advice, I would a dd a few more "physical" tips for a healthier life, there are a few simple ways to boost your health that only take 5 minutes a day, you can find them here: http://www.5-minutes.net/supercharge-your-health/
For many women, sticking to a healthy routine over time is tough: We cycle in and out of diets, exercise routines, and moods. We look at short-term goals or results as the finish line, and we get discouraged if we don’t make it there.
But being healthy isn’t a destination, or an end goal to achieve someday—it’s a way of life. And the best way to fully embrace it is to make good habits enjoyable and manageable.
The good news is, that’s easier than you might think. Here are four simple ways you can start living well, permanently and effortlessly.
1. Be Inspired
It’s a common belief that having a healthy lifestyle requires willpower—the self-control to not eat that second bowl of pasta, say, or the determination to get up and go for a run every morning.
But the truth is, nothing long-term or meaningful can be sustained by sheer willpower alone. It’s much easier to be consistent when your health goals have a deeper purpose—when you’re truly inspired to live well, rather than just trying to achieve a short-term goal.
Ask yourself what your inspiration for having optimal health is, both now and in the future. Dig beneath fleeting circumstances like wanting to look great on your wedding day or for your high school reunion, and think about specific (and significant) ways that being healthy will improve your overall well-being.
2. Find Enjoyment
People often view goals like sticking to a good diet, maintaining an exercise routine, and taking time to quiet their mind as difficult, unpleasant, or a waste of time. But all these activities are direct paths to a healthy life—and the trick to staying on those paths is to find patterns that work for you, not trying to force yourself into ones you hate.
So, instead of obsessing about all the foods you shouldn’t eat, get excited about healthy eating. Take a natural cooking class, pick up a new cookbook, or gather some friends for a healthy dinner party. If spending an hour on the treadmill isn’t your thing, replace it with an hour of dancing, hiking, or rollerblading outdoors with friends.
Do the same for your mental health, too: If you don’t have the time or patience to meditate to clear your mind, do something you find relaxing and rejuvenating—like getting a massage or taking a walk outdoors.
3. Drop Perfection
How many times have you heard the saying, “nobody’s perfect,” or “if you fall off your horse, get right back on?” Sure, they’re clichés, but they’re also important messages, especially when it comes to your health.
If you have a bad day or an off week, that’s OK—don’t throw in the towel and revert back to old habits. And don’t beat yourself up for the occasional indulgence—once in a while, having a couple more of your grandmother’s homemade cookies than you planned is fine!
That being said, if it’s becoming a more than an occasional incident, like splurging every day on a pack of cookies from the vending machine, it’s time to become more aware. Take some time to slow down and think about what’s preventing you from making consistently healthy choices. Help yourself out by reminding yourself why you’re inspired to live well.
4. Make it a Habit
The real secret to living well is dedicating enough attention to develop long-lasting healthy habits. And the best way to do this is to make one change at a time, and practice it long enough for it to become an automatic behavior. (Read: don’t try to adopt six new behaviors at once.)
Research suggests that it takes about two months to create a habit. (Bonus: missing a day here or there doesn’t ultimately reduce the chances of success.) So decide on your first step—whether that’s going on a walk every day or making sure to eat a healthy breakfast. Then schedule it into your day, make a conscious effort to be consistent, and don’t beat yourself up if you slip up occasionally.
Being healthy isn’t about depriving yourself, being perfect, or sticking to a diet or exercise plan. It’s about living well, feeling your best, and—most importantly—enjoying the ride.
