More In ’24
In the quest for a healthier and more fulfilling life,
adopting simple habits can be life changing.
Here Is A List of 24 Health Habits That You Can Adopt As You Launch Into 2024
Feel free to focus on just one habit, a few, or many. Some days you may focus on one health habit and on another day, focus on something different.
Some of these habits you may have already made part of your regular routine so you may want to focus on others that may be more impactful to your current scenario.
The list isn’t meant to overwhelm you and we aren’t going for perfection so do what you can, when you can.
Physical Health Habits
1. More Sleep
Strive for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep is when we recover and repair so it’s critical to overall health.
2. More Outdoors
Get outside to the forests, trails, sun, and fresh air.
3. More Steps
Start tracking how many steps you take per day. Increase by 1000 per week until you can get to 8000-10000 steps per day.
4. More Strength
Lift something heavy! Strength training is critical to active and functional aging, not to mention changes to your body composition. Strive for 2-3 strength training sessions per week.
5. More Daily Movement
Focus on being more active throughout the day so you don’t have to spend as much time in the gym. More active chores, more walking for errands, and more manual labor versus taking the easy way out.
6. More Mobility
Being flexible and able to move your body without feeling tight and rigid is important for activities of daily living.
Positive Nutrition Habits
7. More Water
Strive to drink half of your ideal body weight in ounces of water daily.
8. More Fiber
Try to consume some type of vegetable or fruit at each meal to increase your fiber and improve your gut health.
9. More Protein
Try to have a good protein source at each meal.
10. More Tea
The antioxidants in tea have been found to be good for the heart and may reduce the risk for cancer.
11. More Mocktails
Experiment to find other alternatives to alcohol so you can limit your consumption of cocktails, beer, and wine.
Mental Health Habits
12. More Deep Breathing
Slowing down your breath is one of the quickest and simplest ways to evoke the calming response and reduce your stress levels.
13. More Gratitude
Taking a few moments each day to make a mental or written list of everything and everyone you are thankful for can promote a positive outlook and help through challenging times.
14. More Time with Healthy Relationships
Social interaction with those you love is important to promote emotional well-being and reduce feelings of loneliness.
15. More Solo Time
It’s also important to spend some time alone without constant stimulation to help feel grounded and relaxed.
16. More Volunteering
Studies show that people who volunteer are happier. Find a cause you are passionate about and give as much or as little time as you can.
17. More Music
Music is good for the soul. In Vancouver, we have access to free public concerts in the summer, a beautiful symphony and many restaurants that offer live music.
Brain Habits
18. More Brain Drills
Do something everyday that challenges your brain whether it’s wordle, Sudoku, or a crossword puzzle.
19. More Books
Whether you read fiction, non-fiction or self-improvement books, reading is good for your brain.
20. More Language
Have you wanted to learn Spanish, Italian, or French? Learning a language is great stimulation for your brain and there are many online apps like Babbel or Duolingo to make practicing even 5 minutes a day very easy and fun.
Lifestyle Habits
21. More Checkups
Schedule regular check-ups and health screenings with your healthcare provider to detect potential health issues early.
22. More Hygiene
Maintain proper hygiene practices like washing your hands frequently and brushing your teeth twice a day.
23. More Organization
Maintain a clutter-free environment and develop organizational habits to reduce stress and improve productivity.
24. More Time Management
Prioritize tasks, set realistic deadlines, schedule workouts, learn to say no, and allocate time for rest and relaxation to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Incorporating these 24 health habits into your routine can significantly enhance your overall well-being, longevity, and quality of life. Remember, consistency is key, so start small, be patient with yourself, and celebrate your progress along the way.
Yours in health & fitness,
Sherri McMillan
Sherri McMillan
Sherri McMillan, holds a master's degree in exercise physiology and has been inspiring the world to adopt a fitness lifestyle for more than 33 years. She has received numerous industry awards including 2010 CanFitPro International Presenter of the Year, 2006 IDEA Fitness Director of the Year, 1998 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, 1998 CanFitPro Fitness Presenter of the Year and 2005/2006 ACE Fitness Educator of the Year - Runner up. She is a fitness trainer, fitness columnist for various magazines and newspapers, author of five books and manuals including "Go For Fit - the Winning Way to Fat Loss" and "Fit over Forty" and the featured presenter in various fitness DVDs. She has presented hundreds of workshops to thousands of fitness leaders throughout Canada, Australia, Mexico, Jamaica, New Zealand, Germany, England, Spain, South America, Asia and the U.S. She is the owner of Northwest Personal Training in downtown Vancouver, the founder of WHY Racing Events & WHY Community, participates in various community fundraisers and can be found running, biking, or hiking around the community. Find more information at nwpersonaltraining.com.