Since the beginning of the year, I've made it my goal to create a healthier lifestyle for myself. I want to live a long time, and starting healthy habits early in life only sets you up for successful future mental and physical health. Here's a few of the habits I've picked up on over the past few months that have contributed to me living a happier, overall better life.
Drink more water.
This may seem like a simple thing to do, but many still neglect to do so. I find that when I consume an ample amount of water in a day, I even feel more energized.
Get more sleep.
This goes without saying. Physical function, as well as mental function, improve with getting the recommended amount of sleep. Being a college kid, I know how difficult it can be to do so but do your best. Your body will thank you.
Choose healthier food options.
I understand that of course, sometimes healthy food can be exceedingly expensive/hard to find, but when it is an option, choose it. When given the choice between a bag of chips or an apple, choose the latter.
Exercise more.
This one's a no-brainer. As important as it is to exercise your mind, it's equally important to exercise your body. Your body is a temple, treat it as so.
Spend less time on Netflix.
I love binge-watching my favorite shows as much as the next person, but it's crucial that you don't let it consume your life. Everything's great in moderation, and this includes Netflix.
Spend more time outside.
The earth is a beautiful place, and we are so blessed to inhabit it. Get outdoors and enjoy it. Explore!
Get enough "me time".
Whatever makes your soul happy, do that. Personally, I like to spend my alone time coloring, or napping. It's entirely up to you!
Maintain the relationships in your life.
So often we neglect the people in our lives, maybe not intentionally, but incidentally. Call your grandma, write your best friend a note. Just be sure to remind those you love of how much they mean to you.
Put your phone down.
This one's probably the hardest, but I must insist, resist the urge to binge on social media. I find that the more time I spend on my various social media sites like Twitter or Instagram, the more I find myself comparing my life to that of others, which leads to nothing but anxiety and unhappiness. Again, everything is best in moderation.
Overall, do your best. That's all you can ask of yourself.
