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While we are so lucky to have all this extra time, let’s acknowledge it for the luxury that it is and take advantage. Remember that thing you’ve always wanted to do but could never find the time? Well, the time is now. Pick up an instrument, learn to sew, paint, exercise, meditate – whatever speaks to you. Just give it a go and make some new healthy habits that will last a lifetime along the way.

Let’s be real- we all know those new years resolutions that were a little too ambitious and only lasted until the first couple weeks of January (if we’re lucky).

But making long lasting healthy habits is simple. It just comes down to routine and achievable goals. Try swapping rather than stopping. 

Here are some life hacks for simple effective habits we can all start – and most importantly keep up.

• Begin your day with 500ml of water. Your body dehydrates this much or more just while sleeping. Doing this will fire up your metabolism for the day, helps your body flush toxins and gives your brain fuel.
• Swap your morning coffee for fresh lemon/lime and hot water (not boiling or you loose the potency of vitamin C).
• Get some vitamin SEA too. Salt water is rich in magnesium, zinc, iron and potassium. Do I need to say more
• While you’re at it soak up 20 minutes of unfiltered sunlight. That means no SPF for just 20 minutes to soak up vitamin D for effective absorption of calcium and phosphate for bone health. Remember: we are basically house plants with more complicated emotions.
• Swap sweet sugary snacks for fruit. In general just swap processed foods for unprocessed options as much as you can.  You will feel fuller for longer and your body will thank you for the fibre and nutrients ten fold.
• Commit to at least 15 minutes of exercise per day. If you’re feeling tired then listen to your body but stick to your commitment and swap high intensity for gentle stretching. Just don’t skip it completely.  I opt for a 30-60 minute work out depending on how I’m feeling every morning before breakfast and an afternoon gentle yoga session to wind down.
• Get a routine going and stick to it. I repeat – stick to it!  It takes 21 days to build a habit but only 1 small change to make a huge change to your overall health and wellbeing.

Remember your why. Why are you making these changes? Your why will help you get through when you feel like giving up and start making excuses. It’s natural to reach these plateaus in life with anything that we do. Don’t be too hard on yourself, just modify and remember your why. You’ve got this!

If you’d like to go deeper on habit formation pick up “Atomic Habits: An Easy and proven way to build good habits and break bad ones” by James Clear.

I hope you enjoy these hacks but most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Namaste,
Courtney

ABOUT COURTNEY:
Courtney is an internationally accredited 500 hour yoga teacher with a background in nutrition, health and wellness. Her passion is to help people slow down, reconnect, go within to experience life to their fullest potential. She is our resident yoga teacher at Kandooma and travel/wellness blogger. Contact or follow her journey on Instagram @theholistic_yogi or check out her holistic health and wellness retreats at www.holisticescapes.com.au.