It’s not easy to change your lifestyle all at once. This is often where people fall at the first hurdle, and it’s because they set their ambitions too high. If you try to change everything about your life, you’re going to struggle. Instead, it’s best to make small changes and build up to a healthier lifestyle.
Here are a few ways to do so without changing things too drastically and setting yourself up for failure.
Your Skincare Routine
This is a good place to start because it’s relatively easy to do, but it highlights the need to set a routine. Skincare is a vital part of your healthcare routine and your beauty regimen all at once. Healthy skin is beautiful skin, and whether you care about your appearance or not, you’re better off by looking after yourself.
In general, it’s best to use a skin cleanser and a moisturizer each day. Most people recommend using these products in the morning and the evening for healthier skin. While there are other products you can use, a cleanser and a moisturizer should handle the basic skincare, and this is an easier and cheaper way to take care of your skin.
But what if you have specific skincare needs? First, get to know your skin type. If you have oily skin, you will need to use different products than someone with dry skin. Get to know what ingredients are in different products and what would work best for your skin type and needs.
If you have a skin condition like eczema or acne, then you may need to ask a doctor for the best skin care products and routine. Often, you can use over-the-counter products for these skin conditions, but you may need a prescription for more severe cases. Treating your skin will improve your health, your appearance, and perhaps your self-esteem.
Your Diet
One of the most important things you need to consider when it comes to your health is what you eat and drink.
Most people think of their diet in relation to losing weight, but a healthy diet shouldn’t be something you switch on and off. You don’t want to use crash diets to lose a lot of weight quickly, because these diets aren’t sustainable or healthy. You might look good, but you will feel awful, and the results aren’t likely to last for long.
Instead, changing your diet should be more of a lifestyle change rather than an extreme, temporary thing. Change it gradually so you’re more likely to stick to the changes. If you do want to lose weight, think about calories more than anything else. Eat less calorie-dense foods so you don’t feel as hungry, and don’t be extreme when cutting calories down so you’re more likely to stick to it.
Consider switching things out rather than eliminating them entirely. Snack on fruit or homemade treats rather than shop-bought snacks. Cook from scratch rather than ordering takeout as often.
You can use supplements to more easily control your diet. For example, if you want more protein in your diet so you feel fuller and can recover better when exercising, use an egg white protein supplement to boost it. This is a natural, vegetarian source of protein that doesn’t come with a lot of fat.
As well as your food, think about what you drink. Alcohol and sugary drinks are fine in small amounts and in moderation, but can be very hazardous to your health if they are all you drink. Water is a great way to hydrate yourself without any additives, and some beverages like herbal teas can be beneficial to your health.
Exercise
Fitness can have a massive impact on your overall health, but it can be very hard to get into. There’s a reason why there are so many gym subscriptions that don’t actually benefit the owners in any way.
Just like anything else, the best way to actually keep up with your fitness dreams is to build a habit, rather than try to jump into a fitness routine that you’re going to give up on because it’s too hard or too much of an adjustment.
Start small and set small goals. Maybe you only have time to do about half an hour of exercise each day. If that’s half an hour more than you were doing before, you’ve already massively improved your exercise habits. Don’t set huge goals for yourself that you’re more likely to fail, because you will get discouraged and you may give up.
Another good way to keep yourself motivated is to have an accountability buddy. If you know someone else who wants to be healthier, ask them to work out with you. You’re less likely to let your friend down than if you were working out alone, and you have more fun this way.
Fun is an underrated part of working out. Exercise isn’t often fun, but it can be. Goals make it more interesting because you have something to work towards, but if you can find a sport or way to exercise that you actually enjoy, then grab it with both hands.
Better Self-Care Habits
One of the hardest things to do can be to give yourself the time you need. Some people spend so much time juggling work with other responsibilities that they forget about self-care. Self-care isn’t just about indulgence, although that can be a healthy part of it. But it’s about making sure that you are able to carry on with your routine.
Exercise can be a part of your self-care routine, especially if you enjoy it and you find that it helps you. Or you might need to take breaks and have a rest, which is also a healthy way to engage in self-care.
Another thing to consider is your social needs. Even introverts need human interaction now and then, so make time for your friends and family. This is great for your mental health and can bring more joy to your life. A happy life is a healthy one.
