10 Daily Habits for Better Health and Wellness in 2024

4. Use more natural products in your household, and less chemicals.

While it’s true that synthetically scented things like candles, air fresheners, and even cleaners smell appealing to most people, the truth is that those scented items are often dangerous.

Known carcinogens are packed into many synthetically scented household items, and many people don’t know it.

The fact is, many of your scented sprays, candles, wall plug-ins, and cleaners used daily or weekly are full of toxic chemicals & harsh irritants. Some have argued that the amounts of chemicals in these items isn’t enough to do “much” damage per specific item (I.e., a household cleaner).

However, when 9/10 products we’re using daily all contain harsh chemicals & irritants, we have to look at the problem collectively.

The chemical load piles up day after day, week after week, and so on. Continual build-up of chemicals & toxins in the body eventually lead to one thing: illness.

The less of these items you expose yourself and your family (and pets) to, the better!

To learn about some natural alternatives to candles, air fresheners, and other scented / chemical filled household products, be sure to check out this article.

5. Swap out toxic personal hygiene products for more natural products

We can turn a blind eye, but we can’t ignore it. Too many health compromising ingredients are being added to our personal hygiene products.

Strong synthetic scents aren’t the only things to be watching out for. Many ingredients that are being passed off as “normal” have no business being used in products that we put on our bodies.

Here are some examples of personal hygiene products you likely use everyday that you should consider swapping out for natural products:

• Deodorant
• Body Soap
• Body Lotion
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Skincare products
• Toothpaste
• Feminine Hygiene products

Be sure to check out this article for suggested natural swaps for these types of personal hygiene products.

6. Develop an attainable & realistic fitness routine

If you don’t currently have a fitness routine, be kind to yourself when looking at new goals and routines.

Realistically speaking, making an immediate goal of running two miles everyday when you haven’t even walked more than a few days per week will do more harm than good.

However, if you break it down into micro-goals that are realistic, you’re more likely to stick with your goals. For example, if you make your goal to walk five days per week for 30 minutes – well, that is an attainable goal that you can build upon.

Here are some tips:

• Start small, (I.e., walking and simple exercises) and plan to build on your routine as your strength and stamina increases.
• Choose a specific number of days, and a minimum duration that you will be working out to make your progress & success measurable.
• Re-evaluate your fitness plan & goals at the end of each month for the next upcoming month.
• Add to your routine, or switch it up with new routines by using workout videos on YouTube or apps like FitOn.
• Consider taking short-term gym classes, or talking with a trainer.

Ultimately, developing a mindset of doing something every day to get up and move and get your blood pumping for at least thirty minutes a day will help you immensely. But take it a step further by setting clear and attainable goals for yourself.

7. Start drinking more water, and less of everything else.

Everyone knows that drinking water is important – but most people don’t know HOW much water they should be drinking.

While there are some “guidelines” about an average amount, your height & weight, activity level, diet, and even the climate you live in can affect your daily water intake needs. There are a lot of variables that contribute to how much water you should drink, and it varies from person to person.

While there is not a one-size fits all answer, this article from Harvard.edu will be able to shed some light on adequate water intake. You can also use an online water intake calculator like this one to get a rough idea of what your needs are.

Additionally, there are some drinks that you should either limit or avoid drinking all together. All in all, most of these drinks contribute to dehydration, especially in larger amounts. Also, some of them are just plain unhealthy for you.

8. Add foods that are well-known for boosting the immune system, and supporting better health and wellness.

Before the discovery of modern medicine, much of our “medicine” came from food and plants. Wouldn’t it make sense to add some of those healthy foods / plants to our diet?

After all, as aforementioned…we are what we eat.

Here are some foods, herbs, & spices to add to your diet to help support your immune system:

• Local raw honey
• Fresh garlic
• Onions
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Nuts and Seeds (I.e., almonds, sunflower seeds)
• Lemons
• Oranges
• Blueberries
• Leafy Greens (I.e., spinach, or kale)
• Bright colored vegetables (I.e., red bell peppers)

NOTE: Ensure that your foods, herbs, & spices you’re ingesting are organic & / or locally grown, if possible for best results.

9. Consider adding more supplements to your routine.

Because many of us heavily consume processed food (junk food) and eat less whole nutrient dense food, many Americans have become alarmingly nutrient deficient.

Nutrient deficiencies lead to – you guessed it – illness & disease.

While eating more nutrient dense foods and less junk is the biggest key to supporting our health, supplements can lend a helping hand.

You may already have an idea of what parts of your body need more support. Or you may already know what you’re deficient in.

But if that isn’t the case, in order to determine the supplements that might be beneficial for you to take, it’s recommended that you speak to someone experienced in nutrition and wellness. This can be your regular healthcare professional, a nutritionist, and / or a Certified Holistic Practitioner.

Supplements can be taken to support overall health and wellness, or they can be taken to target and support specific bodily systems and functions. I.e., the immune system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, etc.

These are some of the supplements I personally take in addition to daily vitamins to support my overall health and wellness:

• Inner Defense
• Life 9 Probiotic
• Multigreens
• NingXia Red Antioxidant Drink
• Immugummies

10. Plan some “me” time for yourself.

Even if you only have 15-30 minutes at a time, taking time to yourself away from distractions and others can really make a difference in mental health & clarity.

When you take some time to yourself, you can choose whether you’d like to do something productive, or simply unwind.

One day, you may only have the energy to watch an episode of Friends, or take a bubble bath. But some days you may want to work on a hobby, create something, read a book, visit a new place, or something more profound.

Regardless, make – and take – the time. It’s truly important to make your own mental and emotional health a priority. If you’re not taking care of yourself in that regard, it’s a slippery slope when it comes to interacting with friends and family, and navigating life in general.

While this may be something that’s hard to pencil in daily, it’s definitely something that you should work in several days a week, minimum.

Remember: consistency is key to keeping up with developing good habits, and achieving better health and wellness.

Give yourself some grace – developing new habits does take time and effort.

If you get off track, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just continue to move forward, and always be focused on doing better than you did yesterday.