Healthy Habits Start With Lifestyle Changes

Healthy habits don't happen by accident. They take time to develop and require work and dedication. Most of all, healthy habits and lifestyle changes need a plan.

To make a plan for a healthier you, start with one day. Imagine a day where you just took care of yourself and did nothing dangerous or ill-advised to your body. Maybe your healthy day starts with exercise or meditation, followed by a nutritious and energy filled breakfast. Maybe you ride an exercise bicycle or ride into work with a friend so you have someone to share ideas and thoughts with. A walk at lunchtime gives you fresh air and an oxygen boost energizing you for the rest of your afternoon. Playtime with your kids or an hour of good reading or even a nap finishes your afternoon. Prepare a delicious and vitamin-packed dinner, drink a cup of tea, take a bath and then go to bed. In your imaginary-building-healthy-habits day, you get the recommended eight hours of sleep with no interruption.

POOF! Then you wake up! We all know that life happens and the stresses of everyday life can be overwhelming and out of our control. But this doesn't mean that you can't plan ahead and make at least a few changes for a healthier and happier you. There are key steps that you can take that will make an immediate impact on your well-being. Healthy habits break down into two categories: what we put in our bodies and what we do with our bodies.

What we put in our bodies:

• Make time for breakfast. People who eat breakfast show a decrease in their risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Eating breakfast gives you more alertness for better performance throughout your day.
• Add fish and omega threes to your diet. Eating fish 2-3 times a week shows signs of decreasing heart disease and helps to improve immunity.
• Snack on healthier food. Fruit and vegetables are an easy and tasty way to get more fiber and vitamins into your diet. Five or more servings per day can decrease your risk of cancer, slows signs of aging, and may improve memory and heart health among many other benefits.
• Drink water and tea. Water keeps our insides functioning smoothly and certain teas, especially black and green teas, have antioxidants and medicinal properties.

What we do with our bodies:

• Exercise for better health. The benefits of regular exercise are too numerous to cover, but the main points are that regular exercise helps to control weight, lowers risks of disease and premature death, helps to manage stress and is great for strong bones, joints and muscles.
• Get enough sleep. The body needs time to recover and heal. Getting enough sleep very simply makes you less tired and cranky and is good for mental and emotional health.
• Make social connections. Having a group of friends and loved ones you can count on improves your sense of belonging and gives you a support group.
• Brush and floss. Yes, good dental health is a healthy habit that doesn't get enough press. Flossing helps to keep gum disease at bay and keeps plaque from entering the bloodstream. Besides, keeping your teeth ensures that you will eat well, speak well and smile more.

Make a plan to build healthy habits including some of the items listed above and take your plan seriously. It takes time to change bad habits and having a plan can organize your ideas. If nothing else, just get moving. A simple walk every day can improve your well-being and add years to your life.

Susannah Marchese is a certified Pilates fitness instructor and a senior contributing editor to the popular informative website Everything About Pilates.