Several things impact our health and quality of living, present and future. You can reduce your risk for preventable health problems—such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity—by making healthy choices. You’ve all heard it before: eat a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, manage your weight, get seven to nine hours of sleep, take your vitamins, and exercise at least 150 minutes a week. We know that is all easier said than done.

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Whether you are trying to make a positive change to your morning routine or renewing your commitment to daily movement, we are here to help you jump-start your wellness goals. But you can’t expect to change all your current routines at once, so be realistic and start slow. Begin by fixing one habit at a time. Don’t know where to start? Here’s some help.

‍Helpful Tips for Healthy Habits

Lower your stress levels.

Take more time to relax. A lack of unhealthy stress management techniques can negatively impact your well-being. Add journaling to your nightly routine while enjoying your favorite cup of tea or while taking a bubble bath.

Get better sleep.

You deserve quality sleep for many reasons. Your sleep schedule and bedtime routine will affect your mental awareness, performance, emotional well-being, and energy levels. Start by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. 

Stay connected to your why.

Write about them in a journal. Talk about your goals with others. Visualize the successful change of your behaviors leading to achieving your goals.

Track your progress and treat yourself!

Many people find it helpful to keep a record of their progress. Try a habit-change tracking app, spreadsheets, or a good old notebook will do. Keep track of your behavior and mindset shifts.

Bonus tip: Weight-management research has shown better outcomes when subjects monitor and reward themselves for successful habit changes rather than for achieving a number on a scale.

Make attainable goals.

Changing habits is difficult. You don’t need to throw away all your processed snacks at once—it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Start with baby steps. Find a new way to drive to work that doesn’t go past a Starbucks or put your smartphone in a drawer when you get home.

Everyone is different, and everyone requires different needs according to their schedule, so make choices that work for you! Your mind and body will thank you.