5 Tips for Developing a Health Routine
/Fad diets come and go. Viral news headlines seek to reveal the key to longevity. The truth is, living a healthy life isn’t about making one tweak that will solve all your issues. Being the healthiest version of yourself is about developing a routine that you can repeat day in and day out. Making long-lasting changes to your habits for the better. Here are five tips to help you develop a health routine that works for you.
Schedule Routine Checkups
To develop a health routine that is specific to your body and needs, it’s imperative to gain an understanding of your overall health. Having an annual physical and going to routine checkups will ensure that you have the most up to date information. Furthermore, checkups can reveal underlying conditions that you may be unaware of, and in these cases, early detection is crucial for providing the best treatment. If you fall out of the habit of scheduling your annual physicals, eye exams, and other specialist visits, it can be easy to enter into a pattern of procrastination. Before you know it, years will have passed since the last time you went to the doctor.
Meal Plan for a Healthy Diet
As mentioned previously, fad diets are not the way to go. Sure, you may experience some initial weight loss, but they’re counterintuitive to developing the type of long lasting habits necessary for a healthy lifestyle. On the other hand, an ideal health routine may have you striving to gradually include more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet, while cutting back on things like red meat and excess sugar. However, we all know how difficult it can be to make these dietary changes stick. One tip to help you stay on track is to set aside one day a week for meal planning. Considering the dietary changes you’re trying to make, you can plan out your entire week’s worth of food, that way you have everything prepared and will be less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks or order take out.
Join a Group Fitness Class
Moderate exercise several times a week is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. This does not mean that you need to become a “gym rat” and hit the weights every single day, but it also means that a weekly run probably isn’t getting the job done either. If you’re finding it difficult to self-motivate and stick with a routine, consider joining a group fitness class. The instructor can help keep you motivated, the class schedule will help you adjust to and stick with a routine, and you may also meet some new fitness friends to share in your journey along the way.
Protect Yourself from UV Rays
Oftentimes when we think about a health routine, the first thing that comes to mind is swapping out unhealthy habits for healthier ones. This is a great place to begin! However, what people tend to forget is the need for preventative care as well. For instance, protecting your skin and eyes from UV rays from the sun. You may not notice the effects of this preventative care, but it can be crucial to your long-term health. Overexposure to UV rays can cause a myriad of issues, such as skin cancer, cataracts, and premature aging. So whenever you leave the house, make sure that you are protecting your skin by applying SPF and shielding your eyes with sunglasses.
Develop a Sleep Routine
The benefits of a good night’s sleep are numerous, for both your physical and mental health. Your immune system, stress levels, weight control, mental acuity, and heart health may all improve with better rest. We all know that we’re supposed to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but how do you actually get a better night’s sleep? First, try to stick with consistent bedtimes and wake up times—this will help your body develop a natural rhythm. Next, develop a nighttime routine that will prime you for better sleep. Avoid screens before bedtime, set a comfortable room temperature, play white noise, or even take a melatonin supplement.
Routines are a great way to develop healthy habits that will last long term. You may not stick to these routines every single day, but the consistency they provide will make it easier to live a healthy lifestyle. Be sure to address any specific health concerns you may have and find a routine that fits your needs.