5 Healthy Habits & Staying Consistent
Introduction
As our lives get busier, it can be difficult to stay consistent in reaching our goals and to stay healthy. Implementing healthy habits can improve one's lifespan and allow them to build a routine centered around health. Additionally, staying consistent in your goals and habits are crucial to achieving success. In this article, I will share tips and tricks on staying consistent and share ten healthy habits.
Prioritize Sleep
Although it is not always easy to get sleep, it is an important part of one’s health and well-being. Adequate sleep improves brain performance, mood, and overall health. According to the National Institutes of Health (part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), “Teens should aim for at least 8-10 hours of sleep, while adults should try to get 7+ hours of sleep.” Creating a sleep schedule allows one to build a “sleep routine” and ensure they wake up feeling energized. Getting the same amount of sleep per day can also greatly improve concentration and allow for more productivity.
Exercise Daily
Exercise is the foundation of maintaining good health and staying active. Not only does it keep one physically fit, but it also provides them with benefits such as reducing the risk of getting mental illnesses, aiding in sleep, increasing energy levels, and reducing stress. According to the Victoria State Governmental (Department of Health), “people who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional wellbeing, and lower rates of mental illness.” One can incorporate daily exercise by walking, dancing, going to the gym, hiking, or biking. Whether it's just as small as taking a daily walk around the neighborhood, or practicing yoga, getting any form of exercise is beneficial for oneself.
Create a Skincare Routine
As significant as taking care of one’s mind and body is, is it equally as essential for one to take care of their skin. This habit is a very fun one to implement in one’s routine as it can be very relaxing, fun, and aesthetic. Creating a skincare routine can be as simple as following a few steps: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Skincare products used should be personalized to a person’s skin type or designed to combat any skin issues. For example, if one has dry skin, it may be best for them to use a cleanser that is gentle and non foaming. They can then use a toner with aloe or any other moisturizing and rejuvenating ingredients, and finish with a thick, long lasting cream to lock all the products in. Using face masks or jade rollers could also make skincare more exciting. One can find out more about creating a skincare routine using the link provided in the work cited page. (NY Times)
Practice a Hobby
If one is looking for a way to improve their health and well-being, they might consider taking up a hobby. Practicing a hobby has several benefits for one’s mental health and well-being: relieving stress, increasing self-esteem, developing skills, and enhancing cognitive function. “In 2010, a study was conducted by a team of academics from universities in Kansas, Pittsburg, and Texas. They discovered that hobbies and leisure pursuits were associated with myriad markers of better physical health, including lower blood pressure, body mass index and stress hormones.”(Women’s Health Magazine) Finding the right hobby is a matter of exploring one’s interests and trying new things. A hobby should be fun, engaging, challenging, and something that one is passionate about. Any hobby that you find interesting and engaging is valid, whether it is dancing and singing, painting or drawing.
Drink Enough Water
Drinking water has countless health benefits, yet many people do not drink enough. “The latest CivicScience polling shows that close to half (47%) of U.S. adults consume far below the recommended amount at less than three 16-oz.” (CivicScience) The amount of water one should drink depends on activity level, outside temperature, overall health and medication, and age, but the recommended general amount of water is 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women. One can track the amount of water they drink by using a water tracker app or by using a water bottle. The health benefits associated with drinking enough water are better digestion, normal blood pressure, less headaches, maximized physical performance, and weight loss. Drinking enough water is key to staying hydrated and maintaining one’s health.
Staying Consistent
It can be easy for one to implement these habits occasionally, thinking that they will still see the benefits. However, in order to notice the benefits of anything, it is necessary that one stays consistent. This is also true for any goals that they want to achieve. So what is the secret to staying consistent, you ask? The secret lies in taking small steps every day that will help one reach their goals. For example, if one wants to live a healthier lifestyle, they can work towards this goal by implementing healthy habits into their daily routine. Consistently doing an action regularly is much better than doing a lot of that action in a longer period of time. It also allows for more improvement and better understanding of that action. To elucidate, it is much better to study for 35 minutes every day, rather than studying eight hours the day before a test. Dwayne Johnson once said, “Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.”
Work Cited
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. n.d. “Importance of Hobbies.” https://www.uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/extension-homemakers/Hobbies_LessonGuide.pdf.
Buice, David . 2017. “7 Healthy Habits for a Healthy Life.” Living Magazine. 2023 Chansen Media Group. September 27, 2017. https://www.livingmagazine.net/7-healthy-habits-healthy-life/.
Canavan, Claudia. 2021. “Is It Time You Got a Hobby?” Women’s Health. June 8, 2021. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/mental-health/a36657932/health-benefits-hobbies/.
Harvard Health Publishing. 2020. “How Much Water Should You Drink?” Harvard Health. Harvard Health. March 25, 2020. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink.
Molvar, Kari. 2019. “How to Build a Skin Care Routine.” The New York Times, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/skincare-routine.
MPH, Monique Tello, MD. 2020. “Five Healthy Habits Net More Healthy Years.” Harvard Health. February 19, 2020. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/five-healthy-habits-net-more-healthy-years-2020021918907.
National Institutes of Health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). 2021. “Good Sleep for Good Health.” Edited by Harrison Wein and Tianna Hicklin. NIH News in Health. March 29, 2021. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/04/good-sleep-good-health#:~:text=But%20sleep%20 is%20 as%20 important.
Victoria State Government (Department of Health), and Sane Australia . 2021. “Exercise and Mental Health | Better Health.vic.gov.au.” Www.better health.vic.gov.au. December 20, 2021. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/exercise-and-mental-health#why-does-exercise-make-us-feel-better-mentally.