Focusing on your health is something that happens eventually. While you may have spent your teens and even your twenties indulging in everything delicious (and bad for you), there comes the point when you realize that you must make a change. However, making these changes is not as straightforward as you believe. It can be hard to break bad habits and develop new ones, meaning any healthy endeavor feels doomed to fail. This is the wrong attitude to have. Instead, look at the best ways to make a positive change and boost your overall health.
Exercise More Regularly
Many people dread exercise, but that’s because they associate it with sweating in the blistering heat during gym class. Exercise is much more than running laps or lifting heavy things, and finding a workout routine tailored to you can be the key that unlocks your fitness potential.
There are so many activities for you to explore that there’s no excuse to ignore the potential of exercise. Finding the time is the tricky part. But if you’re dedicated to making a difference in your health, you’ll be able to make the time, either before, during, or after work.
Adjust Your Diet
Everyone loves to overindulge in salty snacks now and again, but the rush you get from eating something unhealthy can trick you into relying on it whenever you feel peckish.
Swapping these snacks for healthy foods and adjusting your diet to include food packed with protein, omega-3s, and other essential vitamins and nutrients will make a significant change. You’ll find you have more energy, experience fewer skin problems, and don’t need to buy clothes a size larger every six months.
Keep Appointments In Check
Considering how busy you are, it’s easy to forget to visit the dentist or go to the doctor for a check-up. While the occasional lapse won’t kill you, ignoring these appointments for years could mean you miss the chance to identify health problems.
Keeping these appointments in check by using reminders means you can catch potential problems early and receive treatment. You can follow the same approach for your car and home. Regular maintenance means you minimize severe damage that could impact your health.
Start a Journal
A journal is an excellent way to contextualize everything in your life, especially if you want to achieve a better balance in your mental health combined with improved physical well-being.
As it’s often difficult to speak openly about mental health struggles – even with the lessening stigma – a journal helps you get your thoughts and feelings onto a page. This makes everything more real and could help you work through problems or find answers without professional help. Of course, this is not always the solution, so don’t be afraid to seek advice from a therapist if you feel you need it. Still, journaling is a good place to start.
Positive Change
Positive change doesn’t come easy, but that’s why it’s worth working for. If you feel like you’re missing out on the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, establishing and maintaining these habits should make a significant difference. You’ll feel happier, have more energy, and wonder what took you so long to get on the health train.
Sophie Okolo, MPH 
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