Have you resolved to live a healthier lifestyle? There are a hundred reasons why you might want to make the switch, and probably even more why you might revert back to your old habits, too! With this said, changing your lifestyle is easier said than done.

Even though many of us intend to be healthier, plans can be derailed quickly. Before we know it, we’re back where we started and doing everything we promised ourselves we wouldn’t do.

Healthy living is easier when you have a strategy and detailed plan to follow. Using the right tools can simplify the task of staying on track to long-term success.

Here are some healthy living tips to jumpstart your journey to a healthier lifestyle:

Proactively Manage Your Stress

Managing your stress can be a great way to start living a healthier life right now. Stress can harm the best of us, but it doesn’t have to. You’ll find that life is more enjoyable when you have a stress management strategy.

Try this technique the next time you feel stressed and out of control. This strategy begins with something you already do every day: stop and take a deep breath! But make sure to breathe in from your nose and out from your mouth.

Using simple deep breathing exercises will give you a short break from the situation that’s causing you stress. During your breathing break, take a moment to relax and create new priorities in your mind. Choose one thing you can do to help defuse the problem when you’re done with your deep breath.

Taking a small action right away will put you on the path to solving your challenge. Just knowing that you’re being proactive can reduce your stress right then and there.

Once you’ve taken that first step, break down the things you need to do into manageable chunks. Stress melts away as you pursue your action plan one step at a time.

Nutritious Foods and Exercise

Another healthy living tip we all should heed is to exercise and eat nutritious foods. You’re giving your body what it needs to be happy and healthy when you exercise and feed it the right fuel.

Strive to increase the amount of natural, unprocessed foods you eat. Include plenty of organic fruits and vegetables in your diet and cut out the greasy, high calorie fast foods. Most of the foods that come in cans or boxes are devoid of nutrition because they’ve been over processed or contain too many additives.

Anything that involves moving can bring you some much needed exercise. Easy ways to incorporate more exercise into your daily routines include taking the stairs instead of elevators, going for walks, or short stretching routines.

Exercising not only burns calories but also invigorates your brain and the rest of your body with increased oxygen and hormones that make you feel good!

You’ll be pleasantly surprised with how much better you feel when you eat the right foods and exercise. You’ll be healthier, have a sharper mind, enjoy more energy, sleep better, and live well.

Thoughts and Emotions

Healthy living also includes your thoughts and emotions. It’s just as important to keep your emotions healthy as it is to keep your physical body healthy.

Do you have a hard time thinking positive? Are negative thoughts running through your mind even when you should be thinking happy thoughts? These negative thoughts can steal your joy and hold you back from the life you desire.

When you implement healthy living strategies, be systematic about transforming the negative into the positive. As you make the switch, you’ll find that you can more easily achieve your goals and live a vibrant, fulfilling life.

Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations can help you develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. They’re the most effective tool for replacing your negative thoughts with positive ones.

Affirmations are concise, positive statements you can use every time you start to feel challenged, stressed, or negative.

Positive affirmations can be as simple as, “I give myself permission to be healthy in body, mind, and spirit.” These statements will affirm to your subconscious that a healthy lifestyle is important to you and keep you on track toward your goals.

Implement these tools and strategies into your action plan today to enjoy a life filled with health, happiness, and serenity.