When it comes to living a fulfilling life these are the seven habits that healthy people implement to keep their minds and bodies in check.
1) They plan their meals in advance.
The individual nutritional needs and goals of people vary pretty widely. Happy, healthy people take a small amount of time out of their week to sit down and consider what they need (maybe even write it down) to meet those needs and goals. Then, they plan out how they’re going to get there, whether it be by meal prepping on a Sunday or using a convenient, tasty meal delivery service like Diet-to-Go.
2) They eat breakfast.
Whether they’re a full-on eggs, bacon, fruit and toast kind of person or just yogurt and granola, healthy people always partake in the most important meal of the day. Evidence shows that this is critical to controlling appetite throughout the day, providing energy, improving focus and even jumpstarting the ‘ole metabolism.
3) They always have a water bottle nearby.
It’s super easy to underestimate the importance of staying hydrated throughout the day. But healthy people? They always have water nearby, and they’re constantly sipping on it. Studies have shown that drinking water (especially in lieu of sugary drinks like soda and juice) has been associated with weight loss*. In general, doctors recommend men drink about 15.5 cups of water a day and women drink about 11.5 cups.
4) They stay active, even if it’s just walking.
Sitting in front of a computer screen all day is a necessity for most people, but those who are healthy make a point of getting up and walking as much as possible, as well as incorporating a 30-minute exercise session into their routine at least four days a week. It not only gets the blood flowing, but studies show walking alone can counteract weight loss genes, curb sweet cravings, ease joint pain, even reduce the risk of developing cancer or other diseases.
5) They disconnect from the world.
Social media may have provided us with the ability to consistently stay connected with family and friends, but it also can negatively impact mental health. Healthy people are okay with shutting it down for at least an hour a day to focus on other things like reading a book, spending time outdoors, playing a board game, or other fulfilling experiences that don’t involve a screen.
6) They live in the moment.
Wandering minds are usually anxious minds. Healthy people practice mindfulness, which means focusing on the present moment. An easy way to try it is to take a deep breath and then dial into your five senses. Ask yourself what you see in the room, what you hear, what you smell, what you taste and what you feel. Another way to learn mindfulness is to practice mediation, something happy, healthy people tend to do daily. (Find our list of guided meditation apps here.)
7) They get a good night’s sleep.
Studies show that people who get the right amount of sleep each night enjoy a slew of important health benefits that include better appetite control, decreased weight, better immunity, improved heart health and even a decreased risk of dementia. That’s why healthy people make sure to prioritize their zzzz’s — and why you should, too. (If you struggle falling or staying asleep, check out our list of ways to snooze better.)
Whether you try out a few of these a day or all of them, you’ll find that your overall well-being improves and you can join the elite rankings of people who have it made simply by practicing daily self-care.