1) Take care of your skin + Use sunblock

Your skin is technically the largest organ of your entire body. So it makes sense that we need to take care of it for proper health and happiness. Dermatologists advise getting into the habit of a daily skin care routine. Every skin type and lifestyle calls for slightly different customization. But the basics are pretty simple.

 

• Hydrate your skin with a reliable product or suite of products.
• Use sunblock when you go outside

 

Why hydrate? Because your skin is constantly refreshing and reproducing new cells. Using a skin care product with proper hydration aids in long term healthy skin and helps prevent the primary signs of aging. A good skin care product will encourage consistent regeneration of healthy cells, while also giving you the “glowing” appearance of vibrant skin. If you don’t have a daily skin care product yet - try the Florance Rejuvenating Hemp cream for your hands & body.

 

Why sunblock? Because harmful exposure to the sun can also result in long-term health-related issues like skin cancer. Sunblock prevents the sun’s harmful rays from invading and damaging your skin cells. A simple rule of thumb for selecting SPF is to go for SPF 15 or higher. If you can develop the habit of using sunblock any time before you go out, you’ll appreciate the positive results over time. The science behind “catching Vitamin D” from the sun suggests we only need 15-30 minutes of sun a couple times a week to receive the recommended 15mcg of Vitamin D.

2) Eat more greens & whole foods

Food is the fuel for your daily energy and efforts. If you start with poor fuel from the beginning, don’t be surprised when you aren’t making it far in your day (or life). Your body, mind, and digestive system will all appreciate the upgrade to natural whole foods and more greens. 

Why greens? Leafy greens and vegetables have a high-dosage of phytochemicals, which helps fight diseases and encourage healthy function. These chemical compounds occur naturally in plants and many of the foods you know. You may know of the benefits of phytochemicals through the research of antioxidants and their benefits to the body. There are plenty of other phytochemicals just as useful as antioxidants that helps your body and mind in many ways. If possible, aim for 2-3 cups worth of “Greens” a day. You will be beyond grateful if you can engrave this habit into your lifestyle 

Why whole foods? Eating foods in their natural state and avoiding processed foods as much as possible tend to improve a person’s overall well-being. Unsurprisingly, the more “processed” a food is, the less nutritional value it retains. It can definitely be difficult to maintain this habit though. We are surrounded by cost-effective convenient options of processed foods on a daily basis.

Try committing to a few whole food meals/snacks the first week. Then eventually every day.

Here are a few tips to opt for a better option next time you’re in the kitchen or store:

• swap all refined grains for whole grains (Look for, and avoid refined white wheat flour, for example)
• swap refined sugar (white sugar, corn syrup) for honey, dates, maple syrup, agave syrup, stevia, and coconut sugar
• swap processed meats (sausage, bacon) for “proper” meat like chicken breast or a clean cut of steak.   
• cut out all unnatural colors, additives, flavor enhancers, and preservatives
• swap deep-fried foods for stir-fried, boiled, baked, and raw foods

If you can combine these habits with an increase of daily greens. Your body will be fueled for the ultimate health and happiness on a daily basis. One meal at a time, you can live a better life.

3) Sleep right. Get a good night’s rest.

Proper sleep is one of the best healthy habits you can have. Things typically don’t go too well when there’s a lack of successful slumber in your life. Poor sleeping patterns can throw off your biorhythm - and studies have also found that it can increase the risk of diseases such as heart attacks, heart disease, diabetes, and weight gain.

But the habit of a good night’s sleep doesn’t mean you to jump up to 10 hours of sleep a night. That could possibly have negative effects. According to LifeHacker it seems 7 to 9 hours of solid shuteye is the sweet spot for an ideal healthy habit among adults. Whereas, teenagers should shoot for 8-10 hours of sleep per night. 

Science also suggests that proper sleep can translate to things like a better sex life, less chronic pain, and lower the risk for injuries. If you can develop this habit from an early age, your body will thank you.

4) Develop your morning routine

After, you’ve got a good night of sleep… How you start your day sets the tone for your success (or failure). Your greeting with the morning often determines your mood for the entire day.

A distressed and chaotic morning often sets you up for a similar day. Whereas, an organized and structured morning often helps launch you through the day in a similar fashion. Of course it’s not always a direct correlation, but evidence suggests it’s certainly an important factor.

A proper morning routine helps you start off on the right foot. Everyone’s “perfect” routine will be different. But just remember consistency is more important than the content. You need to build a routine that you can realistically hold yourself to every day.

If you build a routine with unrealistic expectations, it’s unlikely to hold a daily habit for the long-term. Take small, simple steps towards optimizing the “perfect” morning until you’ve found it.

 

5) Discover the benefits of “Nature” Therapy

This one may seem simple, but it is often overlooked as a powerful daily habit for a better life.Essentially, nature therapy is surrounding yourself with trees, water, plants, or animals to reduce overall stress and anxiety. 

In Japan, it’s a practice called “Forest Bathing” and many claim it is partially responsible for the radically improved health of Japaness people. Just surround yourself with nature. The concept is to be free from obligations, effort, and doing. You simply connect with the world around you.

Don’t hike or count your steps. Just be present. Focus on all your senses. It’s revitalizing and energy restoring. Try this for 10-15 minutes a day and see how great you feel.

This habit also offers the opportunity for a brief moment to disconnect from the digital world. We are constantly connected, and many of us don’t realize the burden it puts on us both mentally and physically until we released from its grasp. Discover how beneficial truly disconnecting can be.

6) Pay attention to your body. Stretch and massage.

Our bodies need physical attention. From a simple itch on your nose, to deep pits of anxiety burrowed within your gut. Our bodies send signals that often need our attention. Each day, give yourself time to “check in” with your body. Start with a simple meditation or body scan to see how you’re feeling physically. Ease into light stretching and gentle movement. Then practice some sort of daily physical routine you enjoy (yoga, cycling, swimming, hiking) Pay attention to how your body responds to these activities and optimize for your desired lifestyle.  

 

When the body starts building tension, You need to find healthy ways to release that tension. Often stretching and simple self-massage will do the trick. Our hands are the oldest tool in human history; but they are designed to heal and nurture your body. Don’t be afraid to use them!

 

For more severe stress, discomfort, or physical relief you may need to call in the support of a friend or professional. An extra pair of hands for receiving a formal massage will do wonders for mental and physical stress relief. Remember you need to take care of yourself before you’re able to take care of others.

 

7) More water. Always drink more water.

I know nothing about you - but it’s very likely you’re not drinking enough water. 

Most people in the world are under hydrated. Our daily health and functioning relies on us drinking enough water. When we don’t have enough water, everything in our body starts to slow down and operate inefficiently. Water is often considered the building block of life. So it’s no surprise we need a lot of it to operate at an ideal level of performance and health. 

Drinking water should be habitual nature to us, but we seem to have lost our way in recent years with the prevalence of fancy beverages and sugary sodas conveniently located at every corner. Sure, those contain some water. But it’s not the real deal. We need pure, clean water. Classic H2O.

So how much is enough? According to the Mayo Clinic:

If you’re a male, you should be drinking approximately 3.7 liters of water per day (about 15 cups). 

If you’re a female, you should be drinking approximately 2.7 liter of water per day (about 11 cups).

Water helps to flush out toxins from your system, to promote weight loss, boost immune system functionality, increase energy levels, naturally cure headaches, and much more. 

The formula here is pretty simple. If you want to feel better - drink more water.