While it’s easy to make plans to improve our habits and our health, sticking to those plans can be a challenge. If you’ve been trying to make healthier choices and not getting anywhere, you may need to revise your approach. The key to long-term lasting change is to go slowly, making alterations incrementally. Make goals that you can realistically achieve, then reward yourself — and start again, setting your sights higher each time. With a step-by-step plan, you can make sizeable improvements in significant areas of your life.

Eat better.

The key to healthy eating is to make it easy and enjoyable. It’s a mistake to think of healthy food as something dreary, with all the fun sucked out. Plenty of foods that taste great also happen to be great for you. You don’t have to give up all the guilty treats you enjoy, either: just eat less of them, and less frequently. If you enjoy cooking, try your hand at preparing different cuisines that are heavy on the veg, low on carbs, and bad fats. Many Mediterranean and Asian cuisines offer an array of wholesome vegetable-rich alternatives to sample. If cooking isn’t your thing, or you just don’t have the time, look for natural food stores in your neighbourhood or online that offer minimally processed and nutritious prepared meals.

Exercise more.

It’s similar to exercise. If you regard it as a chore, you’ll be likely to dread it, put it off, and cut your sessions short. So, try different fitness programs until you find one that doesn’t feel like work. It’s better to do a less-intensive workout regularly, than a demanding one only once in a while—though adding a few high-intensity intervals from time to time, and really getting your heart rate up, can accelerate weight loss and possibly even improve longevity. Once exercise is part of your routine, you may find yourself even wanting to take it up a notch or two.

Manage your time better.

To implement new, healthier choices, you will need to carve out some time for food prep and workouts in your probably already-hectic schedule. You may be thinking “nice idea, but it’s not going to happen.” While yes, it can be hard to focus on adding healthy practices when you are juggling the many demands of work and life, finding ways to manage your time better can make the impossible look possible. Better time management will also likely lead to greater productivity at work, more time for recreation, and reduced stress.

Declutter your space.

A tidy and organized living space makes it easier for you to get tasks completed quickly, and for everyone to get along. A messy, cluttered room, on the other hand, can raise anxiety levels, provoke negative emotions, and simply make it harder to get things done. If you can’t find items you’re looking for or don’t even have counter space to set things, this slows you down and makes it harder to find the energy for self-care or self-improvement. Tidying up, and letting in light and fresh air, will help you stay motivated. Look for simple and affordable ways to refresh your décor, such as throw pillows or new window dressings. Making your living space attractive and orderly can also help alleviate familial tensions that lead to arguments.

Practice self-care.

One bonus of self-care is that when you are feeling better about yourself you are less likely to return to unhealthy tendencies as a coping mechanism. You can find all kinds of products at Bathorium that will help make your daily routine a little more luxurious. Treat yourself with 100% green and clean ingredients with a bath bomb, for a soothing soak, or a delicious herbal tea to help you relax.

Remember that you are making these changes to have a better and more enjoyable life. So the point is not to choose unpleasant fad diets or grueling workouts. The point is to make good choices that you can enjoy, and which will pay off exponentially over time.

Guest Blogger Bio:

Cheryl Conklin created Wellness Central from her desire to share various resources and her thoughts on wellness. Apart from blogging, she enjoys traveling and going on endless adventures, and writing about her experiences at the end of the day.