5 Healthy Habits to Start Today

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us developed unhealthy habits. These habits may include overeating, exercising less, drinking more, and many others. If this sounds like you, it is important to take steps to regain a healthy lifestyle. Here are 5 simple habits you can pick up to begin living healthier.

Habit #1: Drink an extra glass of water every day

Proper hydration is an important part of being healthy, but it can be very easy to forget to drink enough water throughout the day. One easy way you can become a little healthier is by drinking an extra eight ounce glass of water every day. Staying hydrated will help your body function better and even improve your energy levels.

Habit #2: Replace soda with carbonated water

While working from home you can get in a habit of making several trips to the fridge for soda throughout the day. Drinking too much soda is incredibly unhealthy, because soda contains a lot of calories in the form of sugar while failing to make you feel full or provide any sort of nutritional benefit. Having too much soda consistently can head to obesity, diabetes, and other health conditions, as well as poor dental health. If you’re looking for something cold and carbonated to drink throughout the day as you work, switching to sparkling water is a great way to improve your diet and overall health.

Habit #3: Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon

Sleeping at least eight hours per day has many benefits for both physical and mental health. Unfortunately, with many people working from home, we lose track of our typical schedules and begin not getting enough sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping enough, try cutting out caffeine at night or in the late afternoon. For optimal sleep, avoid consuming any caffeine within 6 hours of when you plan to go to bed.

Habit #4: Set a weekly alcohol limit

Possibly due to pandemic-related stress or a lack of access to other pastimes, alcohol consumption increased by 14% from 2019 to 2020. This is especially problematic as excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a wide range of health problems. When it comes to drinking alcohol during the pandemic, setting limits of 2 or 3 drinks per week can be a good way of staying healthy. Benefits of drinking less include weight loss, better sleep, improved mental function, and much more.

Habit #5: Go on a walk every day

During the pandemic, many of us have been spending a lot of time stuck at home. However, it is important for your physical and mental wellbeing to get out of the house for some light exercise from time to time. Taking a short walk every day is a great way to burn more calories, get some fresh air, improve circulation, and elevate your mood.