{"id":55950,"date":"2020-08-30T13:33:52","date_gmt":"2020-08-30T13:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/?p=55950"},"modified":"2020-08-31T15:21:03","modified_gmt":"2020-08-31T15:21:03","slug":"5-healthy-habits-that-will-make-a-big-difference-in-your-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/lifestyle\/5-healthy-habits-that-will-make-a-big-difference-in-your-day\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Healthy Habits That Will Make A Big Difference in Your Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Healthy Habits That Will Make A Big Difference in Your Day<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are what you repeatedly do. You\u2019ve probably heard that quote before. Your actions create your habits which create your routine which then creates your life. And you want to have control over your life, don\u2019t you?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why you wish you could cultivate a healthy daily routine that your friends already seem to have mastered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But there\u2019s a problem. You\u2019re busy and barely have time for rest, let alone new habits. And whenever you start doing something new, you quickly forget to do it the next day and give up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s talk about the benefits of having a healthy daily routine for a moment. These daily habits help keep you grounded and allow you to move through your day with ease and energy. Some of them are<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">even<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">scientifically proven to improve your health.<\/span><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, experts say we should turn off our Wifi routers and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shieldyourbody.com\/sleep-phone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">switch our phones to airplane mode<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before bedtime. But why? You save yourself from the electromagnetic radiation which causes sleep disruption and other diseases. That means you sleep uninterrupted and wake up to zero notifications in the morning. What a relief!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what do you do when you\u2019re not checking your messages and emails first thing in the morning? And how do you create a morning and evening routine that works for you? Here are 5 simple habits that can change the course of your day &#8211; and life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>1. Drinking water<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-Drinking-water-daily.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-55953 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-Drinking-water-daily-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Healthy habits Drinking water daily\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-Drinking-water-daily-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-Drinking-water-daily-624x935.jpg 624w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-Drinking-water-daily.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s no secret that we need water to survive. Drinking warm water first thing in the morning wakes up your sleepy mind and body. And it prepares your digestive system to receive your first meal of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our bodies need even more water during the day to keep us going. To stay hydrated, carry a bottle of water wherever you go. Or keep it next to you if you\u2019re working from home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t have to drink plain old water. You can add flavour by infusing mint, lemongrass, rosemary and other healing herbs. You can also mix warm water with cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and a pinch of black pepper for a daily detox drink. Or the age-old medicine: lemon juice or apple cider vinegar with a dash of honey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can spread your recommended 8 glasses of water a day between meals. This helps you stay full and eat less. And remember, drinking water can be fun and tasty.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>2. Exercise<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-55952 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Healthy habits daily exercise walking in the forest daily exercise\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise-660x440.jpg 660w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise-391x260.jpg 391w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise-624x416.jpg 624w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-walking-in-the-forest-daily-exercise.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everybody knows the importance of exercise. It not only keeps you fit, but it also increases your energy, flexibility and clarity. Plus the good-feeling endorphins released are designed to lift your spirits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your daily 20-minute exercise doesn\u2019t have to be in the grueling gym. Pick your favourite exercise, whether it\u2019s walking to work or running around the estate. Swimming, dancing, playing a sport or riding a bicycle are other fun ways to exercise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a yogi like me, relax into your daily yoga practice using<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downdogapp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> DownDog app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/yogawithadriene\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">favourite Yoga channel<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=cwlvTcWR3Gs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chinese qigong practice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is another slow and conscious way to move your body and energy using your breath. Anyone can do it, even 80-year-olds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So take the stairs instead of the elevator. Just anything that will move your body and increase your heart rate. And notice how energized you feel afterwards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>3. Meditate<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-55956 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice-258x300.jpg\" alt=\"Healthy habits woman in meditation practice\" width=\"258\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice-258x300.jpg 258w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice-660x767.jpg 660w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice-881x1024.jpg 881w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice-768x893.jpg 768w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice-1321x1536.jpg 1321w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice-1762x2048.jpg 1762w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice-624x725.jpg 624w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-woman-in-meditation-practice.jpg 1652w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 258px) 100vw, 258px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meditation has been getting a lot of good reviews and for a lot of good reasons. Many people report more clarity and calm after just 20 minutes of meditation in the morning. And it sets the mood for your day by putting you in a relaxed mind-body state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of its growing popularity, there are plenty of guided meditation apps for beginners. Try out free meditation apps such as Insight Timer, Headspace, Calm or Simple Habit. If you\u2019d like to meditate on your own, simply set your own timer, concentrate on your breath, or scan your body from head to feet and back (aka my favourite).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contrary to popular belief, meditation doesn\u2019t have to be done with eyes closed. You can return to the present by going outdoors to observe mother nature. Look at the vibrant colours of the universe and listen to the joyful birds for a few calming minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A walk or run can also be a meditation mindfulness practice. Simply pay attention to your breath and feel your body move step by step. You will quickly let go of your worries and feel serenity wash over you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>4. Journaling<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-55955 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Healthy habits daily journaling notebook\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook-660x440.jpg 660w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook-391x260.jpg 391w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook-624x416.jpg 624w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-journaling-notebook.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Journaling is another healthy habit that can do wonders for your life. It allows you to reflect on your life, your beliefs and your aspirations. It also gives you a wonderful chance to get intimate with your innermost thoughts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can pull out your journal after your morning meditation. Here, you can write the revelations and ideas that you received from Source during your meditation. A daily gratitude list with at least 3 things you\u2019re grateful for will help you focus on a brighter perspective especially if you\u2019re feeling negative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also do segment intending, where you list what you want to experience that day. Then go back to it at the end of the day. You\u2019ll be surprised by how many things happened just because you wrote them down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Journaling is also a great habit to add to your evening routine. It allows you to document your own life in your own words. Before you sleep, recap your day through your lessons and achievements which you can always go back to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also expound on something that caught your curiosity and attention during the day. You might be amazed by the insights that come out of you simply by investigating your thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>5. Reading<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-55954 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Healthy habits reading book in bed\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed-660x440.jpg 660w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed-391x260.jpg 391w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed-624x416.jpg 624w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-habits-book-in-bed.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great readers make great writers. And everyone writes, whether its emails, reports, articles or journals. That\u2019s why I believe everyone deserves to read. After all, leaders are readers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every day, ensure you build your brain with the wealth of knowledge available. You can start your day with reading &#8211; after writing your dreams, that is, so you don\u2019t forget them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So instead of your phone, reach out for a book in the morning. You could read a spiritual text, whether it&#8217;s the Bible or Bhagavad Gita to start your day on a higher plane.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With so much insightful information online, why not read at least one article daily. It could be related to your job, interests or something just catches your eye. If you&#8217;re reading this, you\u2019re clearly on the right track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as you woke up with a book, go to sleep with it. A book before bed helps you fall asleep easily, especially if you\u2019re feeling anxious or awake. Plus health experts advise taking a one hour break from an electronic screen since its blue light actually makes it harder to fall asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take this quiet night time to catch up on your favourite read, a novel or self-help book. You could read as little as a page or a chapter a day. And then watch yourself drift into the sweetest dreams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-55957 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/accounts.consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Healthy Habits woman reading a book\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book-660x440.jpg 660w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book-391x260.jpg 391w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book-624x416.jpg 624w, https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Healthy-Habits-black-person-reading-a-book.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now you know which daily habits will help keep you grounded throughout your day. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But how do you incorporate them into your daily routine and stay consistent? <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few practical tips which always work for me.<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Write down your current daily habits, from the time you wake until you sleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Analyse them to find out which are essential and which are not (and why)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove the ones which you do not need at the moment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Write down your new desirable habits, whether it\u2019s learning a language or starting a meditation practice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use habit stacking. This is adding your desired habit to an established habit. For example \u201cAfter brushing my teeth, I will meditate\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set time reminders for your new habit. Even if you don\u2019t remember to journal, your reminder will.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a checklist to check your progress. At the end of the day, tick the boxes of what you have accomplished out of your new daily routine.\u00a0 This will give you some motivation and insight on what you need to focus on the next day. Here is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/images.app.goo.gl\/5VgJCPKuUWPskdAx5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an example of a habit tracker<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you can use.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it all feels overwhelming to you, worry not. Instead, focus on one healthy habit at a time. One that you\u2019ve always wanted to add to your daily routine. One that you feel will make a huge difference in your mental, physical and spiritual health. Then add it to your schedule and set a daily reminder for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, which one will you start with?<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>5 Healthy Habits That Will Make A Big Difference in Your Day You are what you repeatedly do. You\u2019ve probably heard that quote before. Your&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":193,"featured_media":55951,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[238],"tags":[290],"coauthors":[811],"class_list":["post-55950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-wellness",""],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/193"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55950"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55950\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/55951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55950"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consciouskenya.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=55950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}