5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Improve Your Health and Wellness

POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Llyod
POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Llyod

What does living a healthy lifestyle look like to you? Does it entail having a muscular frame, or does it mean your mind and body are calm? Regardless of your definition, we can all agree that crafting and maintaining a well-balanced life can sometimes feel daunting. But if you break up your objective of wellness into tiny mini-goals, you can get there faster. Up ahead, we have five small steps you can take right now in your journey toward vitality.

01
Start a workout routine
POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Lloyd

Start a workout routine

Put getting fit at the top of your to-do list. Maybe you're new to the workout world or are a gym rat that's fallen off the wagon. Either way, the strategy is the same: Create a fool-proof plan made up of small actions you can measure.Things like fueling properly beforehand, avoiding peak hours, and rewarding yourself for your sweat-session are easy enough to track, and will help you kick-start that routine.

02
Take a small step toward healthy eating
POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Lloyd

Take a small step toward healthy eating

Deciding to eat better is too evasive; the word "better" could mean anything. Instead, do something small and quantifiable. Make the commitment to sip on a cold-pressed green juice every day. You'll get all the taste and nutrients of vegetables and fruit, while taking bite-sized steps toward eating "better."

03
Rethink your sleep patterns
POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Lloyd

Rethink your sleep patterns

Could your sleep cycle use an upgrade? According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of adults don't get enough sleep. And the effects of that go far beyond just feeling sluggish — it can affect your mood, career, and even success with exercise. So how can you log more hours without revamping your entire life? Here are some simple-to-adopt ideas to get you started:

  • Set a bedtime that will give you at least 7 hours of sleep, and stick to it. That means no late-night TV binging.
  • Journal before you go to bed. A common sleep interference people grapple with is going to bed feeling stressed. Spend at least 15 minutes before you go to bed writing everything down that's sucking your energy. Make decisions, lists, whatever works to calm your mind.
  • Consider taking vitamins. Melatonin has been found to be a fantastic supplement to take before bed.
04
Make space for mindfulness
POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Lloyd

Make space for mindfulness

Calming the mind and remaining present are an important part of any healthy lifestyle, but being mindful doesn't come easily to everyone. Figuring out how to quiet our thoughts is incredibly difficult, so rather than jump right into an aggressive world of meditation, start small. Slip on some headphones and try using an app like Headspace, which offers 10-minute guided meditation exercises aimed at teaching you the practice. You can also practice without the use of an app by exploring deep breathing and body awareness techniques.

05
Be sure to drink enough water
POPSUGAR Photography | Diggy Lloyd

Be sure to drink enough water

Hydration is a critical part of being healthy — our bodies are between 50 and 75 percent water — and we need to maintain these levels to be healthy. If you're feeling especially tired, moody, or have a pounding headache, one of the factors at play may be your water consumption. Drinking eight ounces of water when you feel any of the aforementioned pain coming on might make you feel better. Here are some quick ways you can drink more H20:

  • Keep a water bottle on your desk with fresh water
  • Take a few sips of water after you use the restroom
  • If you're a soda drinker, challenge yourself to drink mineral water instead

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