Good Habits for a Better Life

  The most significant lesson that I have learned in my life towards a balanced and healthy life is that consistency is more important than perfection. Many people struggle with perfectionism, often feeling pressured to meet unrealistic standards in every aspect of their lives. However, the reality is that perfection is an unattainable goal and pursuing it usually results in a lot of nothing but stress and frustration. Source: Unsplash (Free to use, no attribution required) On the contrary, the concept of consistency is considered to be rewarding. A long-term change can be realized by small and consistent actions.  The World Health Organization (2022)  reported that preserving healthy habits for a long time even with minor steps is more effective than indulging in short-lived and intense efforts. This holds true for all the factors of health: from physical activity and sleep to mental health and relationships. I have at times over-ambitiously tried to set goals like worki...

  A truly healthy lifestyle involves not only proper nutrition and exercise but also the quality of our social relationships. Obviously, human beings are social animals, and they need others for connection, support and understanding. Emotional well-being, through building positive relationships, is one of the overlooked factors when talking about “healthy habits”. Source: Unsplash (Free to use, no attribution required) What are more positive relationships if not the source of feeling valued and supported? Trust among people be it friends, family, or even schoolmates make life easier. Findings from    the Harvard Study of Adult Development (2023  reveal that strong social bonds serve as one of the most consistent predictors of long-term happiness and health. The social circle of people who are close and supportive is not only longer but they are also less stressed in comparison to those who feel cut off. I think this is quite logical since relationships are of a life-...

  Source: Pixabay (Free to use, no attribution required) Among the many factors affecting health, sleep is often overlooked despite its crucial role in maintaining well-being .  It is often mentioned in the same breath with exercise, healthy eating, and productivity, but in reality, they all depend on good sleep first. I was one of those who thought that the late hours spent studying or on social media wouldn’t affect my life that much the truth hit me when I realized that my energy levels, concentration, and even my mood were so dependent on my getting really good quality sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023)  claims that adults ought to have at least seven hours of sleep per night as a way of maintaining their physical and mental health. But the truth is that very few people actualize this recommendation. Insufficient sleep impacts multiple aspects of our lives, from concentration and productivity to emotional stability. Consequently, the immune s...

   Source: Unsplash (Free to use, no attribution required) In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, stress has become one of the most common challenges affecting mental well-being. Everybody is subjected to it from students, through workers, to the housewives taking care of the family. When it comes to stress, the normal is at some level but chronic stress can lead to health issues that are quite serious like anxiety, depression, coronary illnesses, and lack of sleep. Hence, the issue of efficient stress management has become vital to keeping up both mental and physical well-being. One of the noteworthy and most recognized worldwide among the different methods is mindfulness. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness means fully noticing one’s present thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judging them.  Kabat-Zinn (2003)  puts it that Mindfulness is quite often referred to as "in-sight" meditation, which denotes a deep, penetrating and non-conceptual seeing into the ...

   Source: Pexels (Free to use, no attribution required) Why Less Screen Time Matters Screens have become a constant part of our daily environment, making it difficult to disconnect from digital devices. Phones, laptops, and TVs are in our lives right from the time we wake up until we go to bed. I am just like everyone else, as I am also part of this digital world. I can’t help but to check my phone, and most of the time, I will even reply to my messages or check the social media apps on my phone before I actually get out of bed. It is such a routine now that at times I am not even aware of how much time I have for watching the screen. In the beginning, it seemed to be an innocent act no more than a few minutes of checking. The “few minutes,” however, are more likely to eventually lead to an hour or so. I have been aware of the change in my concentration and my mood. It might happen that when I have been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok for a long time, I feel that my bra...

   Source: Pexels (Free to use, no attribution required) It is widely recognized that regular physical activity has numerous benefits for overall health. But at times, the most difficult thing is to begin the process. For most people, the term “exercise” brings to mind images of strenuous workouts at the gym or running for long hours. Maintaining fitness can be simple and enjoyable when approached with the right mindset. It is simply a matter of moving your body in a way that is enjoyable and fits into your daily routine. Simple Ways to Stay Active Exercise is not only about burning calories; it strengthens the body and enhances emotional well-being. Regularly, even gentle physical activities can make a remarkable difference. Making your body move naturally every day can be done through a few simple ways such as: -            Don’t take a car for short distances; go walking or biking instead. -         ...

     “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT” This familiar saying holds truth what we eat influences not only our physical health but also our energy, mood, and ability to concentrate. My eating food consisted of anything that was quick or easy, and I ignored the fact that clean, simple meals have an enormous impact on my feeling; so, then I was clean, but not strict or, better yet, giving up delicious foods. Just make little, conscious choices every day. What Is “Clean Eating”? The idea of clean eating emphasizes choosing whole and minimally processed foods over heavily packaged or refined ones. In this way, it is Real foods like fruits, vegetables, Whole grains, and proteins; whereas packaged snacks and sugary drinks are the opposite of that. Clean eating, as reported  by the Harvard School of Public Health  (2022), Foods have varying effects on the environment, just as they can have varying effects on human health. Clean eating should not be viewed as strict dieting but as a ...