8 Healthy Habits That You Need For A Happy Life

This post is all about 8 healthy habits that will level up your happiness and make you stronger from within.

I feel like a broken record while saying this for the umpteenth time, but your mind and body are related in more ways than you can imagine.

Focus on one and the other will naturally bloom.

And if for some reason you find yourself neglecting one of these two, the other will be affected as well.

I have days when I feel low on the inside and nothing seems to help except focusing on my health.

This is something I’ve been through enough times to know that good health is super duper important for a happy mind.

Also, happiness is a pretty solid and pure reason for creating a healthy lifestyle, isn’t it?

I prefer to work on my health with this intention rather than doing it to change how I look or to follow a certain trend.

In this post, I’ll take you through the 8 healthy habits that are a must for a happy life.

If you’re ready to level up your happiness through the power of healthy daily habits, then read on!

8 Healthy Habits For A Happy Life

1. Start your mornings with happy stretching

There is a lot of hype around crafting the perfect morning routine for yourself, but I think the one that you should stick to is the one that makes you happy.

For you, that might mean starting your day with productive tasks or hitting the gym for a sweaty sesh.

But regardless of what you’re aiming for every morning, there should be a time window for joy and relaxation, and stretching is the best thing you can do for that.

It doesn’t matter whether you do it in bed right after waking up or on the yoga mat in your living room. Just stretch your body for a good 15 minutes or so.

Let this ritual be your daily reminder to be healthy and take things slow even when the world around you is moving fast.

Check out: 8 Slow Morning Routine Ideas To Wake Yourself With Love

2. Get sufficient sleep

Everyone knows that quality sleep is essential for overall health and happiness.

The body needs 7-9 hours of sleep each night to recharge, and the mind can turn cranky if not given proper rest, yada yada.

But despite this being common knowledge, I don’t see people taking their sleep routine seriously enough.

I like to stick to good routines, but even I find myself running on low sleep hours some days, which shows up in the form of anger and irritation (not pleasant at all).

If you want to wake up feeling like sunshine and stay in good spirits all day, then work on your bedtime habits.

Establish a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down, and create a comfortable sleep environment free from distractions.

Do your skincare routine, take a warm shower, and put away your phone an hour before bed.

You might also want to plan your day in advance so that you don’t carry your worries to sleep.

And yes, please pick up a book to read for a romanticized and healthy bedtime experience. It’s my favorite part of the night.

3. Stay hydrated

Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and mood disturbances.

On the other hand, staying hydrated gives you glowing skin, a healthy body, and a happier mind space.

I know hydration isn’t an easy habit to build for everyone, but one thing that helped me is keeping a reusable water bottle with me at all times.

Carry a bottle with you wherever you go and take regular sips from it.

In the beginning, aim for four glasses of water a day and build up to eight glasses within a month.

Also, train yourself to reach for water whenever you are under stress or feeling overwhelmed.

It works like a charm for curbing negative thoughts and calming down any racing thoughts.

Bookmark now: How To Glow Up In A Week Naturally – 7 Day Glow Up Challenge

4. Find joy in movement

I wouldn’t call myself a major fitness nerd, but I do my best to give my body what it needs.

And most of the days, what it does need is some exercise and a good walk out in the nature.

Rather than thinking of physical activity as a chore, look at it as a source of joy.

You don’t have to do anything that bores you out.

Find activities that you actually enjoy, whether it’s going for a walk, practicing yoga, cycling, skating, or dancing to your favorite music.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, and rest when you’re tired.

Let each workout session be a tribute to your body, mind, and heart.

5. Put some effort into managing your stress

Chronic stress can negatively impact both physical and mental health, so it’s important to find healthy ways to manage your stress levels.

Indulge in stress-relieving activities such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or mindfulness on an everyday basis.

These habits should be a daily part of your routine. They can help reduce stress hormones, promote relaxation, and cultivate a sense of calm and well-being.

Also, engage in activities that bring you joy and help you unwind. For me, nothing works better than reading before bed.

You could create a playlist full of calming songs and hit play on it whenever you’re stressed, or step outside to spend time in nature.

Remember that stress is an annoying and stubborn thing, and to shake it off, you’re going to have to move a little and put in some feel-good efforts.

6. Nourish your body with nutrient-rich foods

I’m sure you’ve done plenty of comfort eating in your life. Lord knows I have, and I stand by it as the perfect remedy for broken hearts.

But when it comes to feeding yourself goodness on a daily basis, healthy food comes out as the clear winner.

Almost all the functions in our body depend on our gut health and the kind of food we eat.

There’s no way that our mind isn’t impacted by what we feed our body.

The happier your gut health is, the happier your mental health will be.

Don’t believe me? Then do just this one thing for the next week: Eat a protein-rich and healthy breakfast every morning. See how this one change impacts your mood.

If you like the results, then start adding colorful and nutrient-dense food to your diet.

I’m talking vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Allow yourself to indulge in your favorite treats, but eat those juicy fruits too!

Do this to supply happiness to every part of your body, and have fun exploring healthy food choices and cooking new recipes.

7. Eat with intuition

Since we’re talking about the importance of happy foods for a happy life, let’s also look at the eating habit that is crucial for building a happy relationship with food.

I’m talking about intuitive eating, a practice that involves eating by listening to your body’s hunger.

I was stuck in unhealthy patterns of dieting and restricting food for the longest time, and intuitive eating helped me break out of those cycles.

I now rely on my fullness cues rather than rigidly following external rules or restrictions, and as you can imagine, it’s been liberating and freeing for my entire being.

To eat with intuition, eat when you’re hungry, and stop once you’re satisfied.

Nourish your body with foods that make you feel good, and say no to what you know makes your gut awful.

I know all this is easier said than done, but for me, something that really helped was reading Eating In The Light Of The Moon by Anita Gibson.

This book is pure gold and I simply cannot recommend it enough for nurturing intuitive food habits. It really changed the game for me and believe it can do the same for you.

8. Prioritize rest and recovery

Sometimes, mental burnout happens as a result of tiring out your body and pushing yourself past your limits. .

The tag of overachiever isn’t worth sabotaging your health and happiness.

Just like you make time for all the important tasks in your routine, schedule your rest time as well.

Take naps, give yourself rest days, and indulge in self-care on the weekend.

Surprise yourself by going on a relaxing solo trip and spend time in nature to heal your energies.

Your body is always sending you signals for fatigue.

Listen to these cues of overexertion and honor your body’s need for rest.

Prioritizing rest and recovery will teach you to prioritize your happiness as well, making you naturally seek habits that bring you true joy.

Build Happiness By Pouring Into Your Health

Working on your health is an awesome way to enhance your happiness and joy.

You get to work on your body and routine and also reap the benefits of a healthy mind.

Work on the tips that call out to you, and feel free to tweak them to fit your lifestyle.

Have fun building good health and happiness!

You just discovered 8 healthy habits for a happy life. Now, it’s your turn to share. What’s the one thing in life that always makes you happy? Leave your response in the comment box. I’ll be waiting.