A habit can be defined as “an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary”. Habits are the things we do in our daily lives, often times without even thinking about them. They determine our lives. There are habits that are good and that can make us better. But bad habits can damage our health and affect our lives.
I used to have a very bad habit. It was so harmful it almost ruined my life. I used to be an alcoholic. It started when I was a teenager and it went on until I was well into my 20s. But, thanks to my parents, I checked into a rehabilitation center and got better. When I got to the rehab institute, I was suffering from a lot of health problems. Gastritis, depression, and anxiety were only the tip of the iceberg. But I was able to overcome them little by little.
A big part of addiction recovery and detoxification from alcohol is adopting healthy habits to heal your mind and your body. Even though it takes time and effort to trade bad habits for good ones, I was able to do it and my life changed forever. My health improved, my mood improved, I was more focused and happy. I have been sober for 9 years now, and I still implement the habits I learned while I was in rehab. Today I want to share them with you so that you can improve your lifestyle too.
Exercise
Regular physical activity brings many benefits to your body and mind. And the great thing is, everyone can do it, regardless of age or physical ability.
Exercise combats many health conditions and diseases. Heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and high blood pressure are some examples. Regular exercise also improves your mood by stimulating brain chemicals that make you feel happy and relaxed. In addition, it boosts your energy and improves your sleep. And let’s not forget that it helps you control your weight and tones your muscles, which can increase your self-esteem.
When it comes to making exercise a habit, motivation is key. My main motivation was getting sober. Find a goal that you really care about, like improving your heart’s health, losing weight or winning a race. This way you will have something to strive for, and you won’t be tempted to quit as easily.
Meditation
Eastern cultures have practiced meditation for centuries. It is the process of training your mind to focus and become more aware. Practicing it can be very easy and it can bring a lot of benefits.
If you tend to freak out when minor inconveniences occur or if you experience a lot of stress in your daily life, meditation is perfect for you. One of the main benefits of meditation is that it reduces stress. It helps you train your mind to stay calm in any situation. It also improves your mood and your concentration, which can be beneficial on many levels. In addition, studies show that meditation can slow aging and improve your cardiovascular and immune systems.
I learned to meditate by sitting in silence, closing my eyes and trying to focus on my breath. Inhaling slowly, exhaling slowly. The first few times my mind wandered off. But soon enough I was able to clear my mind and focus only on my breath. Doing this for 5 to 10 minutes before going to bed made me feel calm and helped me sleep better.
Eating Healthy
Junk food may taste good and all, but it harms your health in ways you don’t imagine. You may think you’re healthy right now, but once you cut out junk food you’ll realize you weren’t. When you eat a balanced diet your metabolism improves, you are more energetic, your skin is healthier, among many other benefits.
The Eatwell Guide establishes that a balanced diet should contain at least 5 fruits. It also shows that you should include dairy or dairy substitutes. Get your protein from beans, pulses fish, eggs, meat, etc. Your meals should be based on starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta. When consuming oils, make sure they are unsaturated.
Sleep Well
More than35% of Americans report sleeping less than seven hours a day. Do you know what the consequences ofnot sleeping enough are? It can lead to serious health problems, cause accidents, and weight gain. It is recommended for adults to sleep between 7 and 9 hours each day.
Getting enough sleep can really improve your lifestyle. For starters, being well rested can increase your productivity and improve your mood during the day. Also, sleeping gives our bodies the chance to recover and regenerate. This process benefits your immune and cardiovascular systems, and it helps with weight control.
If you have trouble falling asleep at night, there are some tips you could implement. Meditation helps your body relax and fall asleep easier. You can also try staying away from screens at least an hour before going to bed. Avoiding coffee in the afternoon can also help you conciliate sleep easier.
Smile
There is magic in your smile. Literally. Smiling is one of nature’s antidepressants. When you smile, even if you’re not particularly happy, you trick your body into thinking you are. Smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness.
Smiling releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. These are the feel-good chemicals in your brain. This relaxes your body and can lower your heart rate and high blood pressure.Studies show that faking or forcing a smile can reduce stress significantly. So smile. When you’re happy and when you’re sad. In fact, next time you start feeling stressed or angry, go ahead and fake a smile.
Adopting these 5 habits can improve your lifestyle, make you healthier and happier. I’ve been practicing them for more than 9 years, and I can honestly say I wake up feeling satisfied and ready to take on the world each morning. You can feel like that too. Start trading your bad habits with these 5 healthy ones, and your life will start to change.
Do you know any other good habits to improve your lifestyle? If you’d like to add or suggest something, please leave a comment below.
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