If becoming healthier is something that is on your radar but you’re not sure where to start, then you’re in the right place! We have put together a list of a few simple changes you can make to your routine to help you become healthier, without having to make major sacrifices. Trying to make massive lifestyle changes all at once isn’t going to be sustainable, so the best thing you can do is make smaller changes that will become a natural part of your day rather than feeling like a chore.
Aim for 5,000 Steps A Day
Our first tip is for you to aim for 5,000 steps a day! Many people say that you should be doing 10,000 steps a day, but this is actually quite far, and if you don’t walk much at the minute, it might be difficult to find the time. So, starting with a smaller goal like 5,000 steps will help you to maintain it, whilst also being enough to help you feel healthier.
There are so many different ways that you can achieve 5,000 steps, from putting on a tee and your womens gym leggings first thing and heading out for a morning walk. You could get off public transport a couple of stops early and get a few extra steps in and the same on the way home. Why not grab a drink and go for a nice lunchtime walk? Or, you could go for a walk after work to help you unwind after your day so you can enjoy a nice relaxing evening.
Start Your Day With A Smoothie
Another thing that you can do is to start your day with a smoothie. You will be fuelling your body with lots of great nutrients at the very start of the day, so you will feel energised and ready for whatever the day ahead holds.
Start your smoothie with half a banana, a handful of frozen fruit, a few spinach leaves (you won’t taste this, trust us) and a spoonful of chia seeds for some healthy fats and protein. Then, top up with half apple juice and half water, using less liquid if you prefer a thicker smoothie texture. We’d recommend starting with less liquid and then keep adding until you reach the consistency you’re looking for.
Overall, smoothies are a great way to start your day and might help to encourage healthier habits for the rest of the day.
Get More Sleep
Something that can make a huge difference in helping you to become healthier is to get more sleep. You should be aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep a day, as this will help your body to recover from the day before and prepare for the day ahead properly. To do this, figure out what time you need to be up in the morning and simply count back. This might be 10pm until 6am, or 12am until 8am, but as long as you are getting the sleep in, you’ll find that that you feel so much more energised the next day. Being healthy is not just about eating well and moving, but also giving your body the downtime that it really needs.
Replace More Drinks With Water
If you drink a lot of sugary drinks, alcohol or caffeine, then try to replace more of your drinks throughout the day with water. All of these drinks can have quite a big impact on your health when not consumed in moderation, and they can also have a significant impact on your oral health, too.
A really simple swap would be to replace more of your drinks with water, whether its one of your cups of coffee or alternating alcoholic drinks with water on a night out. You can gradually work your way up to cut out more of the worse drinks to find a healthy balance between the drinks that are good and those that are good for you!