Healthy Habits for Every Hour

Just like a healthy life, a healthy day is made up of lots of little, healthy choices. Here are some easy, healthy habits you can do every hour of every day to live a healthy life.

7 am: Wake up at the same time everyday. Doing so will help stabilize your circadian rhythm.
         Bonus: Don't hit snooze on your alarm. The more you snooze, the more confused both your body and brain get, which causes you to be more out of it than you would be if you woke up to your first alarm.

8 am: Actually eat breakfast. Eating a balanced breakfast will fill you up and actually help you to eat less food during the day. Check out my Pinterest Board featuring yummy breakfast ideas, many of which can be prepped the night before here!
        Bonus: Drink a glass of water to help with digestion and your metabolism.

9 am: Walk to work or school. This is an easy way to get some exercise in. If it isn't possible for you to walk to school or work, then drive, but park a little farther than you normally would.

10 am: Tackle your to-do list! Or write it out, if you don't have one. Making a to-do list will help you to focus on your tasks at hand. At the end of the day, you will feel accomplished if you check off most of your list.

11 am: Sit up straight. Sitting all day isn't the best for you (more about that later) but slouching certainly doesn't help. Sitting with good posture makes breathing easier, improves circulation and digestion, and helps keep your body in proper alignment.

12 pm: Bring your lunch. Not only does bringing your lunch from home same money, it saves calories too. If you bring your lunch, you can also get work done while eating, which may make it easier for you to leave school or work earlier in the afternoon.

1 pm: Drink more water! This is something that can be done at any hour, but for me, 1 pm is around the time I start looking for another Diet Coke or coffee. Obviously, water is a better choice than either soda or coffee.

2 pm: Get up for a quick walk. Sitting at a desk all day has been shown to be pretty bad for your health, leading to an increased risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. If possible, take a quick ten minute walk, even if it is just around the office or school.

3 pm: Eat a healthy snack. Pack a serving of your favorite fruit. Bringing a snack from home makes it much easier to resist the temptation of a sugary snack from the vending machine.

4 pm: Take the stairs. Leaving work or school for the day? Take the stairs to get a little more exercise in everyday. It adds up!

5 pm: Clean something. De-clutter your desk, mop the floor, etc. Doing a little chore each day means less time cleaning on the weekend. Having a cleaner home can also boost your mood.

6 pm: Get a workout in. Whether you go for a run, take an exercise class, or go to the gym, just try to workout as many days as you can.

7 pm: While you eat dinner, focus on the people you are with. Unplug from your phone and really connect with your family at dinner. If you live alone, maybe call a friend. Catching up with friends and family makes you happier and less stressed.

8 pm: Take some time for yourself. For some people, this is mediating, for others it may be taking a long hot shower. Doing something that helps you decompress will refocus your mind and help you feel more balanced in life. Check out my post on Practicing Self Care for my ideas on how to take time for yourself.

9 pm: Plan for tomorrow. Every night, I pick out what clothes I will wear tomorrow and pack my lunch. Preparing for the next day will save you time and stress the next morning.

10 pm: Turn off electronics before you head to bed. Blue light, the light given off from electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets, causes the body to suppress melatonin production, which will make it harder for you to fall asleep at night.

11 pm: Go to bed at the same time every night. Just like waking up at the same time, this will help stabilize your circadian rhythms

What are some healthy habits you do every day? Leave them in the comments!