Necessary Habits for Healthy Living - by Megan Daic

Necessary habits for healthy living

1. Try reading more as opposed to watching television. Not only does reading keep your mind intellectually stimulated, but it can help you sleep better at nighttime.

2. Floss daily. I know that we have all heard this a million times, but I implore you to take this challenge. Flossing regularly not only prevents the buildup of plaque and germs that cause bad breath and gingivitis, but it can help prevent heart disease as well. If I can floss, so can you.

3. Eat plain yogurt instead of flavored yogurt. Most flavored yogurts have either sugar or artificial sweeteners which inherently diminish the benefits of eating yogurt. The beneficial cultures that yogurt has are negated when sugar is added to it. I would suggest eating Fage Greek yogurt with honey and granola – it makes for a wonderful treat!

4. Exercise more. If you usually avoid walking, riding your bike, or any activity that necessitates muscle involvement, you should attempt to substitute your regular routine with a healthy alternative, such as walking to the market.

5. Drink A LOT of water. When we wake up, our bodies are naturally dehydrated so it is important to drink at least 16 oz. of water when we first wake up. Drinking water helps to flush out toxins and impurities from the body, so even if you tend to forget to drink water while at work, make a conscious effort to carry around a water bottle or reusable cup so that you can refill throughout the day.

6. Substitute juice for carbonated beverages (i.e., soda). Believe me, soda is never a healthy choice for the body. Plus, juicing is really great for your health, because it is an easy way to get in the recommended amount of raw vegetables and fruits in your diet.

7. Write down your meals. If you observe that you snack way too often on ‘vending machine food’ and you practically live at all of the fast food restaurants within a quarter-mile of your home or work, I would suggest that you write down what you eat. This way, you can keep track of the foods that you eat and figure out what type of foods work well for your body. The body varies from person to person, so it is important to examine any trends or pitfalls that the foods that we eat may cause.

8. If you are a dessert-junkie, then try tricking yourself by substituting chocolate-turtle cheesecake for a healthier alternative. For me personally, healthier alternatives include: dark chocolate (between 65% and 80% pure cacao); raspberries and blueberries in 2% milk with a sprinkle of sugar on top; Skinny Cow ice cream (one chocolate bar has only 50 calories); and dark-chocolate covered raisins. Dark chocolate may help lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and it even contains mood-enhancing qualities.

9. Refrain from eating fried foods.

10. Do NOT eat fast food! Pre-prepare meals at the beginning of the week and keep a list of easy-to-prepare/quickly made meals.

11. Substitute your typical serving of beef or pork for healthier, less fatty alternatives (i.e., chicken, turkey, fish or tofu).

12. In addition to exercising, also try to take several deep breaths every day. Deep breathing can help reduce stress and is advantageous for the body. Tip: According to a study done by John Hopkins, cancer cells cannot thrive in a highly oxygenated environment. Daily exercise and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level.

13. Listen to melodious music. Music truly does feed the soul.

14. NEVER put plastic in the microwave.

15. Substitute sugary breakfast cereals for healthier options. Fruits, grains, nuts, plain yogurt, oats and naturally sweetened cereals (i.e., cereals with honey) are a great way to start off the morning.Try substituting unhealthy snacks for veggies and fruits.

16. Consume less alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. Obvious!

17. Snack on nutritional foods - fruits, veggies, nuts and grains – instead of chips, candy bars, buttery popcorn and soda.

18. Laugh. Laughing, smiling and socializing are good for the mind, body and soul.

19. Keep a positive outlook. There are no advantages to negativity.

20. Relax. Whether you are calmed by a good book, wine, scented candles and a nice, hot bath, or you relax more when you are out in nature, try and find time to decompress and unwind.