Healthy Habits To Adopt In 2019 (Including Ayurveda)

A NEW YEAR signifies new life and new changes. Each day we wake up is another day we can make a change in our daily life. What makes up our days? Habits. A habit is a routine of behavior that repeats on a regular basis, usually subconsciously. This includes making coffee when you wake up, exercising after work, or maybe watching TV in bed. But are your habits healthy? Here are some healthy life habits you can adopt in the new year (including Ayurveda principles). 

Increase your water intake

Water is essential to our bodies in so many ways. Adults are made up of 60% water while our blood is 90% water. But, it does more than just keep us hydrated. Some of the health benefits of water are:

Improves your skin health
Maintains blood pressure
Lubricates your joints
Helps deliver oxygen to the rest of the body
Improves your digestive system
Prevents kidney issues

If you’re exercising, be sure to drink water before, during, and after a workout to prevent dehydration. Consuming water also helps with weight loss and overeating. Bring a water bottle with you while driving, or if you plan on having a busy day on-the-go. Dehydration can decrease performance, cause headaches, and dizziness. Ayurveda beliefs focus on how you choose to drink water actually affects your health. Some tips to consume water through this teaching is to sit rather than stand while drinking, drink water slower, and only drink when you’re thirsty. 

Find an exercise routine

Staying active is another habit everyone should be incorporating into their daily life. No matter how long or short it is, all physical activity will benefit the body in a healthy way. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are three exercise guidelines:

• Get 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise
• Or 75 minutes of higher intensity aerobic exercise a week
• Or a healthy combination of moderate and vigorous exercise

Training for a competitive race is an excellent way to feel motivated to workout. Finding a comfortable running pace is essential to become progressively more active while also improving your stride and muscles. Ayurveda looks at exercise as a way to help deal with various amounts of stress and anxiety. Listen to your body and find what works for you specifically and what you’re trying to accomplish through the exercise. 

Pay attention to your diet

Eating healthy on a regular basis is essential to living a healthier life. Not only does a proper diet improve your body, but it also prevents diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and various forms of cancer. Paying more attention to what you eat on a daily basis is an easy habit to start. Meal prepping is the perfect way to save yourself time (and money) while still eating healthy and not skipping meals or bingeing out on junk food if you’re too lazy to prepare a meal. According to the Healthy Eating Plate, we should be consuming:

• ½ plate of fruits and vegetables (celery, carrots, bananas, strawberries)
• ¼ plate of whole grains (oats, quinoa, brown rice)
• ¼ plate of protein rich foods (legumes, nuts, seeds etc.)
• Healthy plant oils – in moderation
• Water, organic coffee, or tea (cut out sugary drinks)

The Ayurvedic teachings on diet focus on how, when, and what you eat. Our food intake should change based on the seasons. We should stay focused on the things we need in those specific months. The warm summer days bring more fruits and vegetables while the colder winter months bring freshly harvested root vegetables and whole grains.

Use some of these tips to obtain a healthy lifestyle that will positively impact your mind, body, and soul!

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