5 Habits for a Healthier, Happier You

I don’t know about you all, but this pandemic has really put a lot of things into perspective for me. It has really made me realize that nothing is worth as much as your mental or physical health—unless Adele is performing live because then selling my kidney to watch her perform would totally be worth it! Jokes aside, this time off has allowed me to focus on my overall happiness and I feel like these small habits have made such a significant difference to my everyday life, so here are five habits that I’ve woven into my daily routine to help my mind, body, and soul!

Bottoms Up!

Before any of you get the wrong idea, I’m talking about having a shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning! All you need is a tablespoon’s worth of ACV (make sure it’s ‘with the mother’) diluted with a small cup of lukewarm water. Consuming a tablespoon of this miracle acid a day is proven to be beneficial to your gut as it enables better digestion, and your skin as it has astringent properties that can help clear skin in the long run. However, make sure to drink it with a reusable straw to prevent any damage to your teeth and make sure not to go overboard as it is a strong acid after all!

Say Ciao to Coffee!

One caffeine-addict to another, I know how much this must pain you to hear, but girl, you gotta cut down on the coffee! While it’s absolutely great to have a shot of espresso once a day or even a cup if you prefer, try switching to matcha for the most part. Now, I know matcha is no coffee (duh!), but its health benefits outweigh those of coffee and surprisingly, I feel so much more energetic when I opt for it instead of coffee! It has 137 times more antioxidants than coffee, which makes it great for your skin, and gives you sustainable energy rather than a boost that dies after a short while. Oh also, a good matcha latte is delicious and super insta-worthy, and who doesn’t love that?

Sugar? No, Please.

You’ve probably heard it a million times, but refined sugar is your skin’s biggest enemy especially if you, like me, often suffer from breakouts or a hormonal imbalance. It clogs pores, causes inflammation, and even exacerbates any redness on your face. Instead, try adding a spoonful of pure maple syrup, agave, or honey to your drinks. You can even take that leap and replace the refined sugar in your baking stash with these alternatives when you can—I often use it for desserts at home and they turn out so great. It’s the best way to satisfy your cravings while (mostly) maintaining your body’s health.

Water, but Make it Fun.

This one’s for all of you who think water has no taste (I disagree, but ok). Try infusing your water with berries, lemon, or mint to keep things interesting and help your body get that little detox. I like to use one of the infuser bottles and keep refilling the water throughout the day! Berries help give you that kick of antioxidants, mint helps with anti-inflammation, and lemon helps with your daily dose of vitamin C—oh, and did I mention that it tastes great?

Move that Booty!

Totally unrelated to any of the other tips, I realized that exercising for 25 minutes at least three times a week is such a great way to stay active (especially since we’re pretty much cooped up at home for the most part right now). I like to follow work out videos on YouTube—they’re super effective, apartment-friendly and totally make me feel great after! Not only has it helped tone my body and be more mindful of my diet, but also made me feel more energetic and happier overall.

I hope this helps you on your journey to becoming a better version of yourself because it definitely helped me!

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• acne
• apple cider vinegar
• exercise
• fruit
• health
• hydration
• matcha
• self-care
• skincare
• water
• wellness