5 Healthy Habits That Will Make You a Happier Person

 

A happy life doesn’t just happen on its own, but certain habits and routines can help you live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling days and years. Here are five healthy habits that will make you a happier person, now and in the future.

1) Eat well

Eating good food is one of those healthy habits that go into making you happier—and eating well can make your life longer, too. If you’re trying to lose weight (and thus improve your health), look to plant-based foods with plenty of fiber. And, if you’re really serious about taking care of yourself and being happier because of it, consider opting for fresh, not frozen veggies and other ingredients at least half of the time.

2) Take care of your body

The body is a temple. It deserves to be treated well and nurtured with good food, healthy habits, and plenty of exercise. If you take care of your body first, chances are that it will treat you much better in return.

3) Stay positive

Positive thinking is an important part of leading a healthy life. When we’re in good spirits, our mood has an impact on other people—and vice versa. By living more optimistically, you put yourself in control of your own destiny. Optimism brings people together and helps to facilitate meaningful relationships that contribute to personal happiness and health as well as helping to fight off illness and disease. It will even boost productivity at work or school!

4) Have fun

Not only is good food—think fresh, home-cooked meals and organic fruits and veggies—associated with positive mental health, it also benefits your physical health. Studies have found that exercising regularly contributes to better sleep patterns, improved cognitive function and emotional well-being, reduced risk of chronic disease and greater longevity. And get more sleep: A study from University of California Berkeley found that people who slept fewer than six hours per night had higher levels of cortisol in their blood than those who got eight hours or more.

5) Sleep soundly

Good sleep is as vital to our well-being as good food and exercise. One recent study, from researchers at Cornell University and Washington State University, suggests that people who slept six hours or less per night for three consecutive nights reported feeling significantly higher levels of anger and lower levels of self-control than those who got eight hours. Sleep deprivation can cause irritability, moodiness, fatigue, and changes in appetite.