10 Simple Habits to Stay Fit and Healthy

There are a lot of benefits of staying physically fit. You’ll have more energy, you’ll look great and you’ll notice improvement in your overall health. It’s not always easy to stay in great shape. However, if you focus on nutrition and exercise, you can make a lot of healthy changes. Staying positive in life is extremely important to stay fit and healthy. Often our busy schedules, overbooked calendars and multiple commitments get in the way of being the best version of ourselves. Here are 10 simple habits to stay slim and healthy.

1. Mindfulness. Awareness through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment is being Mindful. It refers to deliberate acts of regulating attention through the observation of thought, emotions and body states. Some of the benefits which Mindfulness brings are :-

• Reduced stress
• Increased focus
• Improved emotion regulation
• Improved emotional intelligence
• Increased empathy and respect
• Increased resilience
• Improved physical well being
• Improved creativity and collaboration

What do you need to do to be Mindful ?
Here are some of the things which you can do do we more aware and mindful.

• Relax your brain
• Be aware of your actions
• Think of the consequences of your actions
• Focus on breathing
• Find a quite place to be
• Spend time with nature

2. Planning. Some of the benefits of planning and having a fixed routine are :-

• It creates structure in your life and surroundings
• Eliminates the habit of procrastinating things. You do things now and not tomorrow or later
• Saves time and helps build momentum to achieve goals
• Helps achieve your goals in every aspect of life
• Improves self discipline
• Lowers stress and anxiety
• Gives you ample time for yourself
• Increases productivity
• You keep a track of your surroundings and your activities

3. Sound Sleep. Having sufficient and sound sleep can not be over emphasised upon. Some of the reasons why sound sleep is important are :-

• It recharges your body
• Good recovery of muscles and brain
• Improves concentration and productivity
• Maximises your body performance
• Improves immunity
• Reduces stress
• Reduces inflammation
• Improves metabolism
• Prevents obesity

4. Eating Without Distraction. Apart from eating healthy food it is equally important to eat without any distractions. Some of the benefits of eating without distractions are :-

• Better absorption of nutrients and digestion
• You use all senses while having food
• Portion control and mindful eating
• Prevents overeating and food hangovers
• You actually enjoy food apart from filling your stomach
• Reduces ill timed cravings
• Helps you maintain your weight and live a healthy lifestyle

5. Getting up Early. It is said that morning time is the best time of the day. You are fresh, there is less chaos outside and the weather is just perfect to start your day. Some of the benefits of rising early are :-

• You are more productive in the mornings
• You get additional time to finish things
• Its good for mental health
• You end up having increased metabolism
• Increased output
• You are more motivated
• You have time to enjoy your breakfast
• You don’t have to rush for everything

6. Better Drink choices. Staying hydrated is important but intake of wrong fluids can ruin your health. Packaged juices, smoothies, shakes, energy drinks can add huge amount of calories and result in sugar spike leading to weight gain. Some of the healthy drinks which can be included in your diet to enhance your health are :-

• Homemade green juices
• Coconut water
• Green tea
• Herbal tea
• Aloevera juice
• Turmeric tea
• Plant based milk

7. Stay Motivated. Feeling good about yourself is extremely important. Be sure you have people around you who make you feel better no matter what your size or health is. It is very essential to know what makes you overeat and not do it. Never go hungry.

• Set small, measurable goals to achieve that larger goal
• Keep a food and exercise journal
• Crowd out junk food out of your life
• Change your routine. There is no routine which is universally good or bad. Make a routine which suits your needs
• Make physical activity a daily part of your routine

8. Stay Active. This point needs no emphasis. Being a couch potato will lead you nowhere. Staying active is as important as eating right. Include small workouts in your daily routine. Walk instead of taking the elevator. Jog instead of walking. Take your kids or pets out for walks yourself instead of delegating it to someone. Find a place of work for which you don’t have to spend hours on the road everyday.

9. Stay Happy. A happy mind leads to a happy body. Staying happy and not frowning on small things is the key to good health. Some of the health benefits of staying happy are :-

• It boosts immunity
• Reduces stress
• Improves your relations and quality of life
• You make better food choices
• Its good for the heart
• Increased productivity
• Faster recovery
• Increased success rate

10. No Dieting. Smart people don’t need to diet. I firmly believe that anything not sustainable in the long term should not be done for short gains. Eating small portions, eating on time, eating the right things is what’s important. Avoiding food altogether is something which is not recommended and should be avoided. Some of the habits of healthy people are :-

• They eat healthy
• They eat freshly cooked food
• They eat small portions
• They avoid junk
• They eat on time
• They don’t graze at abnormal hours
• Mindful eating
• They actually enjoy food

Everybody is different. There is no quick fix to good health and to stay fit. You need have a healthy mind to have a healthy body. Be positive, stay away from negativity. Eat right, eat frequently, work out, run, cycle, swim whatever does it for you. Don’t be extreme with your body for short term goals. Healthy eating, good lifestyle and paying proper attention to yourself is the key to stay fit and healthy !!