Our health has a direct impact on our quality of life. We only have one body for the rest of our lives. So, instead of being too stressed, overly busy, and prioritizing everything else before health, use these easy and simple tips for creating healthy habits in 2023.
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Stop overthinking
Don’t obsess over New Year’s resolutions and try to maintain an overall healthy living instead. If you have made new goals to become healthier in 2023, chances are you’ll ditch them after a couple of weeks. But that’s okay. If anything I have learned from my hatha yoga online classes, being constantly critical of your own behavior or daily habits is not the path to better health.
After the long, tiring couple of years with the pandemic, and looming threats like conflicts and climate change, this year we should focus more on letting go of worrisome thoughts and constant ruminations.
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Focus on enjoying the process, achieve the goals along the way
Healthy habits should be included in your daily life not because you ‘should’ follow them, but because you ‘want’ to follow them, because you actually enjoy the ‘me-time’ and you love to allow yourself to heal, feel healthier, more balanced, and happier every time you make a healthy choice. For example, joining an online hatha yoga class has helped me actually enjoy—and also look forward to—my workouts.
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Start your day off the right way
Have you ever wondered why starting your morning in a wild, frantic way—waking up sore, without feeling refreshed, skipping breakfast, being stressed, and hurrying at work—can make your day feel more like chaos?
A healthy morning routine can make all the difference in letting the day work for you, not against you. Take a few moments to make your bed, gently allow yourself to transition into self-care routines, and have a healthy breakfast to kickstart your day. Then, just spend 20 minutes doing some quick stretching poses/morning exercises to feel invigorated and energized for the rest of the day.
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One change at a time
The best way to break the vicious cycle of an unhealthy lifestyle is to change one thing at a time. Getting healthy is a holistic process, e.g., eating healthier, doing exercises, and reducing stress. But it’s best to set small, realistic goals to achieve them every day. Even small changes can transform your mind and body over time.
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Practice gratitude
Write about three good things in your life. Tell someone how much you care about them and that you are thankful for them. Turn it into a daily habit. Showing gratitude helps us find joy in the present moment and the relationships we have. Research shows that practicing gratitude can reduce stress and improve both — physical and mental health.
So, how long does it take for a healthy lifestyle change? Experts say that on average it takes 66 days to form a new habit and let it become a natural part of your life. In the case of my online hatha yoga classes, I got used to the workout routine in a couple of months. Of course, creating and maintaining healthy habits also depends on each individual.
Improving health and wellness does not have to be a struggle. It is about being kind to yourself, investing in yourself, and thus, creating the life you always wanted.