I am blessed to continue to eat very healthily and don’t take that for granted.
As a child, I was exposed to fresh food as I work in my mother’s restaurant in Tobago.
But what about those people that find eating healthily difficult?
Are you looking to make your routine a little healthier, but maybe you’re overwhelmed by how to get started?
The first step of your health journey doesn’t have to be the hardest!
It’s best to take small, deliberate steps toward a healthier lifestyle, making incremental changes with enough rest in between to acclimate the body to its new conditions.
So, what kinds of changes can we make to improve our lives little by little? Here are five healthy habits you can start today!
1. Be Gentle with Yourself
It’s hard not to be hard on yourself.
We are often our own harshest critic. If you’re the type to speak negatively to and about yourself, that needs to stop now!
Why is it OK to treat yourself that way?
Give yourself the room to grow in the same way. It is okay to not have all the answers or do it right the first time. Speak gently, constructively, and compassionately with yourself.
Acknowledge and resolve your flaws and blind spots, and continue to evolve into a responsible, caring and balanced person.
2. Anti-Treat Days
Plenty of people have a hard time making healthy food choices and often end up giving into the instant gratification of fatty, salty, carb-y or sugary junk foods.
So, start small with an anti-treat day. “Don’t you mean treat day?” No.
If you’re having a hard time switching to eating healthy every day, flip the script and have an anti-cheat day. We all know about cheat days – you eat healthy 6 out of 7 days of the week and then treat yourself to something less healthy. But if this seems daunting, try committing to 1 ultra-healthy day and see how you feel.
Eat really well once a week.
It may not seem like much, but one anti-cheat day per week will get you into the habit of choosing foods that feed and fuel your mind and body.
The urge to suppress uncomfortable feelings like stress, anxiety, anger, loneliness or dissatisfaction won’t be smothered by comfort foods, so you’ll have to find other ways to address the challenges you face in life, at least for a day.
Don’t look at it as a punishment. You’re actually treating your body well and giving it a nice little gift and a reason to celebrate.
3. Attitude of Gratitude
Gratitude is often a springboard into a healthier and happier life. Even if there doesn’t seem to be anything worth feeling grateful for, find something.
If you are alive and breathing, if you have electricity and place to lay your head, if you have a single friend or decent family, or even memories of good relationships, express gratitude for them.
Say it out loud.
Not every day in your life will be worthy of celebration or nostalgia, but the ones where things go fine are just as important to acknowledge as the amazing days filled with luck and joy.
4. Have Honest Conversations With Yourself
Have honest conversations with and about yourself. You don’t need to be brutal when honest. Just speak your truth.
The truth can hurt and will alienate and expose some people. But who and what you lose is often worth the peace and dignity you gain.
Jeopardizing your safety or genuine relationships for the idol of honesty is not the goal. Where you can, shine a light on your life and the people in it. Whatever shadows remain are no longer your burden to bear.
5. Show Courtesy and Be Polite
Be as polite and courteous as you can to service industry workers.
These employees are not paid well and have to deal with unimaginably rude, entitled, and abusive customers. It doesn’t hurt to treat others well even if they do not return the favour. Say “Please,” and “Thank you.” Say “Have a nice day.”
And remember, the way you treat others says more about you than it does about them.
How does treating others help you build a healthy habit?
Besides being one less person putting out bad energy, science has shown that being kind to others is actually good for our mental health. Making someone else’s day can really make your own better too!
Making Small Changes That Can Last a Long Time
Small changes spaced out over time can create vast, lasting changes.
Making little shifts throughout your life in several areas will change the trajectory of your experiences. Living healthy means thinking, acting, and speaking with intention.
Step by step, brick by brick, these adjustments will help build a solid foundation to live, love and learn as the healthiest version of your remarkable self.
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