Why is it that bad habits are effortless while good, healthy habits seem harder to stick to? Research shows that it takes an average of two months before something becomes a habit, although some people take as much as eight months.

A healthy habit is an action that improves your overall well-being, both physical and mental. Besides feeling better, good lifestyle habits can keep your healthcare costs down.

Healthy Habits to Master

EatingHabits

• Eat healthy food.Unless you are allergic, you have a lot of choices within many categories. For more in-depth information, you can learn more here.
• Chew slowly.Don’t be in such a hurry and you can enjoy your food better, eat less and might help your digestive system.
• Put more greens on your plate.Adding an additional serving of greens can help you kick bad junk food habits by filling you up.
• Drink more water.Keep a reusable water bottle with you wherever you are and try to down the equivalent of eight glasses of water a day.
• Eat less than you want.Eating less can help you shrink your stomach and you won’t be driven to over-eat all the time.

Exercise Habits

• Choose activities you enjoy. You don’t have to go to the gym to get good exercise. Instead, do something you enjoy, something different every day if you want. Here are some fun ways to workout.
• Don’t over-exercise.Take a balanced approach and you’ll feel better. Overdoing it regularly can make you feel fatigued and unhappy.
• Go for a walk.Even going for a brisk walk around the block a couple of times helps. Make a habit of walking during your lunch break if you can.
• Don’t focus on weight.Get off the scales. It’s better to weigh yourself less often than have your mood swing depending on what the scales told you that morning.

Lifestyle Habits

• Get enough sleep. Generally, adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. If you don’t get enough sleep it can wear you out physically and mentally.
• Put away the screens at night.Before bedtime, turn off the television, get away from the computer and take your eyes off your phone. Blue light can keep you awake.
• Get outside.Spending even a little time in nature has been shown to improve your mood.

Meditate.Reduce stress by meditating regularly. You might want to try a guided meditation phone app.