You’ve only got one body, after all, and you need to look after it with a focused and positive mindset. But that can be hard to do when you’ve had to repeatedly set aside your own needs in the past. You don’t know what your baseline is, and you’re not sure where to start with putting yourself first. But that’s why I’ve put together the points below – use them to help create a new routine that’s truly good for you. 

Start with Small Habits

The small habits are the ones that will carry you through here. After all, it’s hard to make a big, sustainable change overnight and expect yourself to stick to it. But if you make a small change, you’ll lay the foundation for a habit that can improve your life bit by bit. For example, drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning before having a cup of coffee. It’s a simple change no one would blink twice at! As long as it’s small but improves a little part of your life, it’ll work out far better for you. 

Make Appointments Non Negotiable

Every now and then you’re going to have to see a doctor, and that should be nonnegotiable on your part. Regular screenings and checkups will help give you a baseline to work off of as well as keep your health at bay. Whether you are scheduling a colonoscopy, checking yourself into inpatient rehab, scheduling bloodwork, or even seeing a therapist. Do not cancel on yourself with these appointments.

Swap Your Snacks

Snacking is something we all do, and it’s perfectly normal to want a bite to eat every now and then. And if you were to cut snacking out of your life completely, you’d probably be back on it in a week or two! It’s an example of one of those habits that you can’t just overturn; you’ve got to be more proactive. So instead of doing away with snacks altogether, why not swap your usual treats for healthier versions? For example, a grain bar instead of a chocolate bar, or carrot sticks instead of chips. 

Schedule Talk Time

And finally, make a habit out of talking to your loved ones on a regular basis. Call your Mom once a week, have a Zoom call with your siblings at least once a month, etc. The more you talk to your nearest and dearest, the healthier your relationships will feel. And when we feel supported, every single element of our lifestyle gets better. 

If you want to make your health a priority this year, all you need are baby steps. Lead the way bit by bit to make that commitment much easier to manage.