Did you know spring is a much better time to set healthy habits than a dark, cold January? Spring is much more aligned with our natural rhythm, making it a perfect time to work on our wellbeing (Suzy Glaskie, The Independent). 

If you’ve already thrown in the towel for your New Year’s Resolutions (like 88% of us do by week two of January), don’t be discouraged. Make the most of spring’s renewal and growth by setting your healthy habits now. 

Whether there’s one particular habit you’d love to incorporate into your routine, or you’d like to shake things up completely and create a whole new set of habits, this guide will help you do so. 

How to Build Healthy Habits

Building healthy habits isn’t something that happens overnight. Habit building is a gradual process that requires commitment and consistency. It’s not a linear process and it can often feel tricky, but eventually, these healthy processes will become part of your daily routine. 

Start by identifying the habits you want to create, whether it's exercising regularly, eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, or practising mindfulness. Set specific, achievable goals and create a plan to integrate these habits into your daily routine. Start small and gradually increase the intensity or duration as you become more comfortable. 

Be sure to track your progress along the way, whether that’s ticking off days in a calendar or journaling your achievements. This will help you stay accountable and celebrate your successes along the way. 

Remember that setbacks are normal, so be kind to yourself and stay focused on your long-term goals. With dedication and perseverance, you can establish lasting healthy habits that contribute to a happier and more fulfilling life. 

10 Healthy Habits That Can Improve Your Lifestyle 

You might already have the healthy habits you want to adopt in mind, but if you’re looking for inspiration, take a look at some of the best healthy habits that can improve your wellbeing:

1. Regular exercise - Engaging in physical activity such as walking, jogging, swimming, or yoga can keep you fit, strong and happy. 

2. Add more nutrition to your diet  - Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats can help you become more nourished. 

3. Drink more water - Drinking a good amount of water throughout the day keeps the body hydrated, supports digestion, regulates body temperature, and flushes out toxins. 

4. Get 8 hours of sleep - Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night promotes physical and mental rejuvenation, and enhances mood, concentration, and overall cognitive function.

5. Set aside time for mindfulness - Practising stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness helps alleviate stress and promotes relaxation.

6. Drink less alcohol - Adopting a more mindful approach to drinking can positively impact your health, wellbeing and financial state.  

7. Avoiding smoking or vaping - Cutting out smoking reduces the risk of developing respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and various cancers, while also improving overall lung function and enhancing quality of life.

8. Limit screen time - Balancing screen time by taking regular breaks and reducing exposure to electronic devices helps protect eye health, promotes better sleep, and reduces sedentary behaviour

9. Lower your carbon footprint - Embracing eco-friendly practices like reducing waste, recycling, and choosing sustainable transportation can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and help do your bit for the environment. 

10. Choose natural foods over artificial - Cut down on artificial sweeteners in drinks and processed foods to maintain a balanced diet and lower the risk of health issues. Avoiding aspartame, in particular, can help improve your long term health. 

Monthly Healthy Habits Tracker Template

To set and monitor new healthy habits, it’s a good idea to create a simple tracker. Take a look at our template below and try writing something similar in a notebook. 

 

Month: [Month]

 

Habit 1: [e.g., Exercise regularly]

☐ Mon

☐ Tue

☐ Wed

☐ Thu

☐ Fri

☐ Sat

☐ Sun

Habit 2: [e.g., Eat nutritious meals]

☐ Mon

☐ Tue

☐ Wed

☐ Thu

☐ Fri

☐ Sat

☐ Sun

Habit 3: [e.g., Get enough sleep]

☐ Mon

☐ Tue

☐ Wed

☐ Thu

☐ Fri

☐ Sat

☐ Sun

Habit 4: [e.g. Do 20 minutes of yoga]

☐ Mon

☐ Tue

☐ Wed

☐ Thu

☐ Fri

☐ Sat

☐ Sun

Notes/Reflections:

Incorporate DASH Water Into Your Healthy Habits

Here at DASH, we’re big on health and sustainability. So if the new habits you set involve staying hydrated, cutting down on sugar or sweeteners, adopting mindful drinking, or reducing your carbon footprint, we’ve got you covered. All of our flavoured sparkling water is made with real, wonky fruit, spring water and bubbles, so there’s never any artificial sweetener or sugar. What’s more, we’re a B Corp business, so we work hard to use renewable energy, and recyclable materials, and help reduce food waste.