The remote setup brought by the pandemic restrictions like lockdowns and quarantines forced many to live a sedentary lifestyle. Instead of moving around to accomplish various tasks, the situation cramped all those into duties that you can do at home.
As a result, the area usually allotted for rest and unwinding is now confused with other chores and activities. Time management, schedule, and the concept of work or school and home are mixed up, causing turmoil not just in the state of mind but also in the lifestyle of individuals.
Most people would dismiss past intentions and measures taken to live a healthy lifestyle because of too much activity on their plate. They would focus on the important ones rather than add another task. Taking care of your mind and body can bring balance to your life.
The change to a healthier lifestyle does not need to be drastic; you can start with minor adjustments. Here are a few tips to guide you in this life-changing decision:
Be positive
Even if you do not eat a balanced diet or work out right now, that is okay. The first step to finding the motivation to do something is keeping a positive outlook and attitude. You are on your journey to start living healthy, so you can make new habits and positive changes.
Believe in your capability to commit to a healthier lifestyle, and have faith that you can do it because your inner strength and positivity are the most vital foundation in welcoming change.
Set goals
Before grocery shopping or buying workout clothes, determine your goals first. Without these, you would not feel motivated to make changes. These goals can include reaching a certain number of active hours per week, estimating calorie intake per day, doing specific activities, and others.
You can constantly readjust your goals depending on your need and the necessity to do so. The more actionable your goals are, the easier they are to achieve and motivate you to reach them.
Be smart about what you eat
The key to staying healthy is maintaining a proper diet. Diets that promote starvation for a quick weight loss might cause complications, so it is better to invest in diet plans that encourage you to eat healthily.
Be mindful of what you consume, especially since the foods you eat can affect your mood and energy for the day. Planning your meals for a week can also be exciting since you can try different cuisines and ingredients.
Exercise at your pace
Regular physical activity improves numerous body functions and abilities, making it an integral part of achieving a healthy lifestyle. However, many might drop this first because it is too tiresome. Remember that you don’t need to engage in strenuous exercises to be healthy; you can walk around the neighborhood faster than average or do the household chores while incorporating challenging steps.
You can also look for home workout programs that fit you the most. It is crucial to exercise at your own pace, not just to keep you motivated but also to prevent burnout and injuries.
Have enough sleep
Getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night can help you recharge for the next day ahead. It will improve your body functions, allowing for many benefits like reduced hormonal imbalance. Most healing and repairing of damaged blood vessels and nerves happen during sleep. Consequently, a lack of a good night’s rest can magnify physical, mental, and emotional issues.
When you get enough sleep, you’ll see the benefits reflected in your physical appearance—no more dull skin and dark circles under the eyes.
Find a friend
One of the most effective things to keep yourself motivated is finding a friend with a common goal. You can be each other’s accountability partner—when one becomes less driven, the other will keep pushing them. They will be your constant reminder of the objective you have.
Knowing that you do not struggle alone can be quite a motivation. When the journey progresses to the good path, there is someone you can share your joy with. Additionally, the social construct that you tend to want to show off when more eyes are on you might also come into good use for your purpose.
Do it for at least 30 days
To develop a habit or routine, you need to commit at least 30 consecutive days. This also applies to lifestyle changes so your body can get accustomed to it. Later on, you will feel as if it is a part of your routine, and something seems amiss if you skip a workout or forget to plan your meals for the week.
Take Your First Step Now!
A journey towards a healthy lifestyle starts with a single step. You do not need to be equipped with various knowledge and equipment to be prepared to take on a sudden turnaround in your lifestyle. The most important thing you need to have is the determination to change how you approach your health.
This positivity would lead to constantly setting achievable goals throughout your journey to keep you motivated. It can be manifested in the diet you undertake, your exercise routine, sleep cycle, and commitment. With the help of a friend, things might even become enjoyable for you.
Shifting into a healthy lifestyle might not be easy; starting the change is one of the hardest decisions. But if others can do it, there is no way that you can’t do it.
