When you think of a New Year’s resolution, you think about improving your mental health, getting ahead in your career, and in most cases, losing some extra weight. The latter does make a lot of sense considering the fact that since the lockdown, many people have been locked inside their homes and gained a little bit of weight during this time as well.

But with most countries ending travel and social restrictions, now’s the perfect time to lace up your boots and really get down to business.

Pexels | Eating healthy, exercising, practicing patience and consistency - that’s what it’s all about

How to Achieve a Healthy Lifestyle?

Achieving a healthy lifestyle might sound like a challenge at first but once you get the hang of it, you’ll quickly find there’s nothing holding you back once you start putting one foot in front of the other. To keep it simple, there are two aspects to it once you get down to the crux of the matter: eating healthily and exercising regularly. While almost all of us are familiar with the concept of healthy foods, choosing the right exercise options often leaves us perplexed.

If you’re in a similar boat, worry not!

Here are some simple and easy lifestyle changes that can help improve your physical health.

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1. Start Slow and Steady

You wouldn’t want to start doing cardio and strength training on the very first day right? Not only is it impractical but it is going to leave you feeling sore for days. The best course of action to take in this instance is to start off nice and slow and build towards your goals and potential. Ideally, you’d want to start with a brisk walk for about 10 minutes, and then every week, increase the duration until you reach your benchmark time.

Walking is simple and doesn't require an expensive gym membership or investing in expensive gym bags and equipment. All you need are some walking shoes and your headphones and you’re all set. Long walks are not only good for your health but are also proven to reduce stress and anxiety. So, after a long day’s work, what better way to unwind than putting on your running shoes and enjoying nature while also burning the extra calories.

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2. Sleeping Properly

The first step towards a healthy lifestyle is getting rid of everything that is coming the way of your fitness goals. If it’s an irregular sleep schedule, invest in a memory foam mattress and comfortable pillows, or if it’s your tendency to get carried away when eating junk food, set a cheat day so you can let your taste buds go wild. Turning a blind eye to small things like these can only worsen the situation, leading to long-term health issues.

It is reported that bad sleeping habits can lead to weight gain, which in turn, causes obesity and can lead to diabetes, stroke, and heart diseases. So, it should be your utmost priority to get an adequate amount of sleep, especially after an especially long and tiring day in the office.

So what are you waiting for? Now’s the time to fix all those unhealthy habits that have been holding you back for so long.