My Top 10 Healthy Habits

1. Always carry a water bottle:

I constantly have my hydro flask with me. In the house, at school, at work, in the car, at the store... anywhere and everywhere. This is how I make sure I am always hydrated and it ensures that I am using less plastic. I also use my hydro flask to keep track of the amount of water I drink in a day. My goal is to drink at least four full bottles a day. It’s easy to just keep it with me and slurp out of the straw whenever I get a chance.

2. Wash your face twice a day... no matter what!

I have struggled with acne for a while and although I have not gotten it to completely go away, using a good cleanser and moisturizer twice a day has made a huge difference. I wash my face in the morning to wake myself up and start the day feeling fresh. It’s important to use a good cleanser before putting makeup on to avoid clogging your pores more. And of course the end of the day is the most critical time to wash your face. You need to get all the dirt, sweat, and makeup off your face before going to bed. Even if you don’t wear makeup, it is still important to finish the day with a good cleanse to remove dirt and oils.

3. Take vitamins daily:

An easy way to remember to take your vitamins is to associate them with something you do every day. I take my vitamins during my nightly routine after I wash my face and before I brush my teeth. This way I never forget to take them. Find good vitamins that are made for your gender, body type, and things you may need help with. I take a women’s multi vitamin, cranberry pills, and probiotics every day.

4. Take time to meditate:

It is so important to take time out of your day for yourself. A great way to do this, clear your mind, and get relaxed is to meditate daily. Even taking five minutes to sit and clear your mind can make a huge difference. When I first started meditation, I didn’t know how to meditate at all. But I downloaded this app called Headspace and they walk you through daily meditation for free! You can choose how long you’d like to meditate for and it guides you in your meditation. It’s a great way to get started and you will improve and eventually be able to meditate on your own.

5. Always put on sunscreen:

So many people skip sunscreen in their daily routine. The sun is very harmful to your skin especially your face, and too much exposure can cause cancer, wrinkles, and sun spots in the future. It’s important to protect your skin now so you don’t have to pay the consequences later in life. An easy way to remember sunscreen is to get a moisturizer that includes a good SPF. This way, you will be moisturizing as well as protecting from the sun, and you won’t have to remember an extra step in your routine. Make it a habit to put on moisturizer that includes an SPF and put it on right after washing your face in the morning.

6. Wear blue light glasses when looking at screens:

Something that I learned about recently is blue light glasses and why they are good to have and use daily. Blue light is the harmful light that comes off of all screens (phones, iPads, televisions, computers, etc.). I was experiencing very painful headaches and I decided to try blue light glasses (I got mine from amazon. Two pairs for under $30) and I have noticed a huge difference.

Blue light doesn’t just cause headaches, it can also cause physical and mental fatigue, eye strain, and problems with vision.

Our eyes cannot block these harmful rays of light on their own. But blue light glasses make a huge difference. I recommend trying them out if you have headaches that seem to come out of nowhere or for no reason at all, or if you are concerned about your eyes. The glasses are cute and comfortable and come in many colors and styles.

7. Get a full night of sleep:

I know that everyone says this all the time and it’s starting to get annoying, but trust me, getting a full eight hours of sleep at night is a game changer! When I was young I always wanted to stay up late because that’s what my big sister and my friends did. But I know myself now and I know that I am a much happier person when I go to bed at a good time and get my full eight hours. I am required to wake up at six in the morning for school, so I am in bed by 10:00 so that I am well rested. This is also a good habit for me because it causes me to get my schoolwork done on time so I am not awake all night cramming to finish an essay, study, or complete a project.

Getting a proper amount of sleep helps you to feel less anxious, happier, refreshed, motivated, and obviously, not tired. Even an extra hour or two of sleep will help tremendously.

8. Make lists of the stressful things:

Life can get overwhelmingm, and it may seem like too much to handle at times, but making lists of what needs to get done helps you to feel more relaxed and ready to face your busy day. I like to make one list of everything that must get done that day, and another list of everything that can wait until the next day. Seeing the lists on paper and crossing them off after they are finished keeps me at ease and helps me stay motivated.

It is also good to make lists of the good things. On those especially stressful days, make lists of what you are thankful for. Then, once you are feeling grateful and relaxed, go about the stressful days.

9. Stay organized:

Stressful days get even worse when you are unorganized. If you keep your work space, bags, car, office, rooms, etc. clean, it will keep you calm and motivated. I wrote a whole blog post on getting and staying organized. Go check it out if you need help getting started!

10. 80/20 rule:

This is my way of thinking about what I am eating. I try to eat healthy at least 80% of the time and allow that small 20% of unhealthy eating. I have never been the type of girl who can diet and only eat certain foods, but I have always been good about eating what makes my body feel good and keeps me healthy and energetic for the majority of the time. Most of the time I eat a healthy breakfast and lunch and then eat whatever sounds good (within reason) for dinner. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not gonna sit down and eat chocolate cake for dinner just because it sounds good, but I will eat some pasta or pizza on occasion. This is a good way to think about what I am eating and it helps me remember to eat healthy when I can, without a crazy diet.