Developing good habits
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EmailTips for living a healthier lifestyle.
When your goal is to feel better both physically and mentally, developing healthier habits is a bonus. When you write down what you plan to accomplish, you have a stronger chance of accomplishing the task.
One way to help create healthier habits is by setting small action plans weekly or even daily. Make that action plan achievable in a way that moves you towards a new habit. Make sure it is something that you are interested in and. If healthier behavior is around nutrition and physical activity, here are some suggestions:
- Keep a food journal. This can be done by writing down everything you eat or putting it in an app on your phone. Start with tracking one day of food or a few meals. It is surprising to see how much we can snack! Snacks can be an important part of our diet when they are managed.
- Use an activity tracker. Most adults should aim for 30 minutes a day of activity at least five days a week. The interesting thing is it doesn’t have to be all at once. You can do ten minutes three times a day or even five minutes six times a day. Start from where you are with activity and slowly add time and effort.
- Eat fresh fruit and vegetables. Snack on fresh fruit and vegetables instead of chips, cookies and high-fat foods. You don’t have to deprive yourself of anything; just eat treats on special occasions. For those that live in areas where it is hard to get fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and frozen are very good alternatives. Always check the label for hidden fats, sugars, and sodium.
- Talk back negative thoughts: You are human and have negative thoughts from time to time, but these negative thoughts can hurt your success. Try to avoid those negative thoughts by practicing replacing them with positive thoughts.
Michigan State University Extension offers programs that can help you achieve your health goals, such as:
- My Way to Wellness, an online nutrition education course. My Way to Wellness is an online, interactive intervention emphasizing behavioral goals and strategies associated with healthy weight. Topics covered in the course include goal setting; your nutritional needs and physical activity; building a healthy plate; picking the portion that’s best for you; reading food labels; understanding fats and sugars, meal planning, fruits and vegetables, and healthy habits; and balancing food and activity. The online course includes a pre- and post-behavioral assessment with ten self-paced modules that include physical activity and food safety demonstration videos.
- Personal Action Toward Health (PATH). PATH provides the skills and tools to manage chronic health conditions. People who participate in PATH workshops are better equipped to face the daily challenges of living with one or more chronic conditions. Through PATH you’ll learn to deal with the challenges of not feeling well, talking to healthcare providers and family members, overcoming stress and relaxing, handling everyday activities more easily, setting goals and staying independent.
- Tai Chi for Better SLEEP. Tai chi has been shown to increase strength, improve balance, and prevent falls. Participants will also learn techniques to improve the quality and quantity of their sleep.
- Mindfulness for Better SLEEP. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress-related symptoms such as worry, depression and physical tension. It may also be helpful in managing chronic conditions. Participants will also learn techniques to improve the quality and quantity of their sleep.
To register for an upcoming virtual workshop, visit MSU Extension's health program calendar.
