Most people think of health as the absence of disease. If you aren’t sick, then you automatically think you’re healthy. Becoming the healthiest version of yourself is so much more than not being sick.
It means waking up energized, feeling clear headed all day, controlling stress, and treating your body how it should be treated in order to feel good long term.
Becoming healthy isn’t about trying to be “perfect.”
You don’t have to start going to the gym for hours each day, eating strict diets, or completely overhauling your entire life.
It’s about the small decisions you make each day that start to add up over time.
If you want to learn how to become healthier and feel better every day, check out these eight tips on how to become the healthiest version of yourself.
The Ultimate Guide to Becoming the Healthiest Version of Yourself
1. Treat Sleep Like It’s Your Job
Sleep is something a lot of people neglect while they obsess over exercise and nutrition.
Getting enough quality sleep each night is one of the most powerful things you can do for your health.
When you sleep, your body is able to repair itself, your brain functions better, and your immune system runs at a higher level. Without enough sleep, you’re at a higher risk of gaining weight, struggling with focus, mood swings, and other health problems.
Start prioritizing sleep like your life depends on it. Aim to get 7 to 9 hours each night. Make sure your bedroom is quiet and relaxing. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and limit distractions from phones and screens before bed.
You’ll feel better than ever once your body is properly rested.
Read also: 9 Key Reasons Why Quality Sleep is Important for Your Health
2. Build a Relationship With Exercise You Actually Enjoy
If you force yourself to do exercises you hate, you’ll quickly grow to resent working out.
Exercise is not about punishing yourself for eating a bowl of ice cream. Exercise is about finding activities you enjoy that will keep you consistent.
Do you love walking? How about cycling? Dancing? Swimming? Hiking? Strength training? There are endless choices when it comes to exercise. You just have to find what you enjoy doing.
Move your body every single day to improve your heart health, strengthen your bones and muscles, boost your mood, and have more energy.
You don’t have to become a professional athlete. You just have to move more.
Read also: 18 Signs Your Mental Health is Worsening
3. Nutrition Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
I can’t tell you how many people tell me they want to be healthy, but they could never give up pizza or ice cream.
Thinking your diet has to be perfect to be healthy is wrong.
You don’t have to cut out all of your favorite foods. You do have to start eating better more often.
Eat foods that are whole and unprocessed whenever possible. Fill your diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber rich carbohydrates. Drink more water and limit your consumption of processed foods.
The healthiest versions of yourself won’t cut out foods they love. They’ll simply nourish their body with what it needs most often and moderate their indulgences.
Want to know how to eat healthy? Start by learning what healthy eating habits are and start incorporating more of them into your diet.
Read also: 6 Science-Backed Things to Do Everyday for Mental Health
4. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
Eating healthy and going to the gym every day won’t matter much if you’re stressed all of the time.
Unfortunately, most people wait until they’re burned out before they start taking care of their mental health.
Take care of your mental health daily. Relax whenever you can. Journal. Be thankful. Spend time outside. Say no to people who drain you.
Investing in your mental wellness is one of the best investments you’ll ever make.
5. Hydrate Your Body Often
Water is important for every single function that goes on inside your body.
From boosting your brain function to keeping your energy levels high, water can improve just about every aspect of your health.
Yet, most people don’t drink nearly enough water each day.
Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Make sure to drink water throughout the entire day.
Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go. Drink a glass of water with each meal. Drink more during hot days and exercising.
Adding more water into your diet can help you feel better than you have in years.
6. Stop the Health Destroying Habits
Sometimes becoming healthier doesn’t mean adding habits to your life. Sometimes you have to stop doing the things that are bad for your health.
How much TV do you watch each day? How much sugar? Do you sit at your desk all day without taking breaks? Are you stressed all of the time?
These bad habits may not kill you tomorrow, but they will take away from your health over time.
The healthiest versions of yourself know what the bad health habits are and find ways to avoid them.
7. Surround Yourself With Positive People
If you hang out with lazy people all the time who eat unhealthy foods and hate working out, you’ll struggle to live a healthy lifestyle.
The people you spend your time with can affect your eating habits, exercise routine, mindset, and overall health.
That doesn’t mean you should kick your friends and family out of your life.
It means you should hang around with people who will push you to be better.
Follow people on social media that teach you something new. Hang out with friends who’ll go on hikes with you. Find a community that will support you and your goals.
Your environment can make you healthier without you even realizing it.
Creating a healthy lifestyle starts with letting go of unhealthy influences in your life.
8. Don’t Wait Until You’re Motivated
You’re not going to feel motivated every single day to eat right and work out.
Those days will happen, don’t get me wrong. You’ll look forward to your workout some days more than others.
But what about the days you just don’t want to? What if you don’t feel motivated to eat right?
Your health doesn’t rely on motivation. It relies on consistency.
The people who become the healthiest versions of themselves aren’t always the most motivated. They are the people who show up day after day whether they feel like it or not.
They know that little changes add up over time.
Ask yourself, what is one healthy thing I can do today? Then do it.
Take a small walk. Eat one healthy meal. Drink an extra glass of water. Go to bed 30 minutes early.
Do something. Whatever you choose to do, make sure you’re consistent.
Consistency will always beat motivation any day of the week.
Conclusion
There’s no such thing as being the “healthiest” you.
Your health isn’t about being perfect. It’s about creating healthy habits that you can keep long term.
You don’t have to overhaul your life this weekend. You’ll actually fail if you do that.
Start by sleeping better. Move your body every day. Eat better food. Improve your mental health. Drink more water. Stop bad health habits. Surround yourself with good people. And repeat.
Those healthy habits will add up over time. Before you know it, you’ll be the healthiest you have ever been.
FAQ
How long will it take me to become the healthiest version of myself?
There is no specific timeline. Since health is a journey, not a destination, many people start to feel better within weeks of building healthy habits.
What is the single most important health habit I should focus on?
Like anything in life, there is no one single habit that will make you healthy. Sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress management are all important building blocks to your health. You can improve one and see benefits in others.
Do I have to exercise every day?
No, you don’t have to exercise every day. Though it’s ideal to be active most days of the week, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week is enough.
Can I eat whatever I want and still be healthy?
No foods are completely off limits when creating a healthy lifestyle. Portion control and moderation are key.
Why can’t I stay healthy?
Staying healthy takes time and consistency. Pushing yourself every once in a while is fine, but these healthy habits should be implemented into your daily life.
I’m motivated to get healthy right now. What should I do?
Start with one or two things and build on that. Sleep is a great place to start, or drinking more water. You can even start by taking daily walks.
Save the pin for later
