Everyone has their vices. Some people overeat, some people smoke, some people bite their nails, and some people drink. While it’s okay to have habits, having too many bad habits can impact your health and your life.
Thankfully you have all the power to break your vices and to make healthier life decisions. Continue reading for 5 healthy life decisions that will help you end your bad habits for good.
- Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating right every single day can be tough. Sometimes you’re stressed or upset and just want a big plate of comfort food. Other days you don’t have the time to prepare a healthy meal. While no one eats perfectly 100% of the time, having a diet that is constantly unbalanced puts you at all sorts of risks. A diet too high in bad fats can increase your risk of heart disease. A lack of certain vitamins can cause brittle hair and bones.
The key here is to focus on eating a balanced diet. If snacking or eating-on-the-fly is your vice, you’ll want to focus on ways to better balance your diet. On a typical day you should be eating at least 3 servings of fruits and vegetables as well as a good amount of lean protein and grains. Eating whole food and minimizing junk food can better balance your diet.
- Embrace Being Physical
Not many people jump for joy when it comes time to exercise. But, staying physical is an important part of a healthy life. Sitting too often for too long negatively impacts your cardiovascular health and makes it much harder to focus. If you’re one of those people that absolutely hates traditional exercise, you’re not alone. But not liking running or lifting weights are good excuses for not exercising at all. Physical activity is anything that gets your heart rate up and pumping. For less “blah” exercises, try:
- Group classes (ie. spinning)
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Biking
- Hiking
- Boxing or martial arts
One of the best ways to end the vice of not being physical enough is to simply find exercises that you enjoy. You can avoid the treadmill while still getting in 30 minutes of physical activity. No excuses!
- Kick Smoking to the Curb
Smoking is one of the most deadly habits. In fact, it kills almost half a million people each year. While it’s not easy to quit smoking, making the decision to kick the habit for good is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Quitting smoking and making it a lifelong choice starts by using the right smoking cessation tool. Some people are able to quit with pure willpower. Others need to wean themselves off of nicotine by using patches or gum.
One of the today’s go-to options for quitting smoking is vaping. Many ex-smokers switch to vaping because it offers the same sensation as smoking does but without the harmful byproducts, such as tar and formaldehyde. End your vice today by heading to a local vape shop and buying a starter kit. It’s also important to purchase eliquid that you enjoy.
- Set a Budget & Stick to It
Are you often scraping for money at the end of the month? Do you try to stick to only spending a certain amount of money each week but always end up blowing it? If so, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, a survey found that only 32% of U.S. households have a monthly budget. Not having a budget can set you up for all sorts of financial woes. To put an end to the vice of overspending, commit to creating a budget. This involves writing down how much you make each paycheck, deducting your bills, and determining where leftover money should be used.
To increase your chances of sticking to your budget, set financial goals. Maybe you want to pay off a certain credit card in 6 months or maybe you want to save up for a dream vacation. Setting goals and working towards them is a good way to stay on track and most importantly, focused.
- Stressing Too Much
You won’t find a single person who doesn’t experience stress on a daily basis. But, while we can’t run and hide from it, there are proven ways to better manage and deal with stress. The first step is to make time for fun and relaxation. Don’t let stress from work come home with you. Know what causes you to be stressed. The next step to minimizing stress is to practice relaxation techniques. A brisk walk outside can help you gather your thoughts and regain your focus. You may also want to take part in breathing exercises, meditation, or even yoga.
Everyone has their vices, but it’s up to us to decide how they impact our lives. Practice these 5 decisions to live a healthier life in every aspect.