Make these 20 small changes to your daily routine for a healthier life

This may seem like a silly piece of advice, but if you work a desk job, have a phone, or watch television, it can be easier than you realize to get stuck sitting for hours on end. Our bodies need to stand, so make it a habit to get up and walk around at least once every hour. 

We all know how good a stretch in the morning feels, and it’s no coincidence. Stretching is great for your body after a night of rest, and it’s even better when you stretch with some intention. Incorporating even a few minutes of stretching in the morning can increase your physical health. 

Once you start flossing, you’ll never stop. Floss at night before you brush your teeth to get any leftover pieces of food out of your mouth. This will allow your toothbrush to reach your teeth better, resulting in a cleaner mouth and a healthier body. 

Far too many of us neglect our skin. It’s your body’s largest organ, so pay it some attention. Moisturize in the morning and at night after washing your face, and moisturize the rest of your body as needed. 

When done strategically, napping is a great midday boost that doesn’t interrupt your nighttime rest. If you’re tired in the middle of the day, take a nap. It’ll clear your mind, give you a spark of energy, and offer a creative boost. 

We’re slowly but surely becoming more and more isolated from each other. Combat this by making an intentional effort to connect with the people you love. A quick text or call just to check in with one of your friends goes a long way in maintaining a long-term relationship. 

After spending most of your day on your computer, your body will be craving an activity that allows you to unplug. Do this by working with your hands. It can be as simple as cooking your dinner or as difficult as teaching yourself to knit. 

Take some time each day to attend to your hobby. Whether it’s crossword puzzles, playing an instrument, swimming, or playing chess, if it’s something you enjoy, do it. Happiness is just as vital to your health as water. 

Saving money can be a daunting task, especially with rising costs in almost every aspect of life. Help yourself achieve your saving goals by putting away a little bit each day. Even just a dollar saved each day will make a difference in your bottom line. 

Okay, you should definitely be drinking more than one glass of water per day, but no matter how much water you’re drinking per day, you have to be intentional about your intake. Set aside time each day to drink at least one glass of water. 

Do the same thing with greens as you do with water. Ideally, you’d have some veggies at every meal, but sometimes that’s asking a lot. Force yourself to get some greens in your body by having a handful of your favorite option (spinach, kale, arugula, etc.) once per day. 

There’s research to support that having an organized space leads to having an organized mind. Every night before you go to bed, tidy up your space to reduce both physical and mental clutter. 

You don’t need to run your dishwasher every day, but you should at least get your dishes into it every day. Staying on top of dishes is the best way to keep them from piling up. And if you don’t have a dishwasher, wash a few dishes each night so they never become an unmanageable task. 

There are days when going outside just isn’t appealing, especially when it’s cold out. But breathing in fresh air and soaking up some sunlight (even indirectly) is so important for your overall health, so force yourself to go outside, even for just a few minutes, each day. 

There are loads of benefits to reading, so incorporate it into your daily routine. Even a small amount is good. If you don’t like to read, force yourself to read 10 pages of a book or an article from an outlet you enjoy. 

Journaling is a great way to organize your thoughts and spark creativity. There are all sorts of ways to journal, so pick a format that works for you and spend a few minutes every day getting your thoughts out of your brain. 

Meditation is good for the mind, and what’s good for the mind is good for the body. There are many ways to meditate, so experiment before settling on a routine. If you’re not sure where to start, just spend one minute per day focusing on your breathing. 

Organization really does yield a healthy mind. Spend a few minutes each night preparing for the next day. Pick out your outfit, prepare your coffee maker, write out a schedule — do just one task to make the morning a little easier to manage. 

Making your bed every morning is a great habit to have. It makes your room feel more organized, making for a more organized mind. It’s also a task that’s associated with a cleaner household. And let’s face it, it feels so much better to get into a made bed than an unmade bed. 

Gratitude is a powerful emotion. Practice it every day. Take 30 seconds out of your day to be grateful for one blessing in your life. It’ll do wonders for your health if you let it.