5 Habits I’ve Adopted To Improve My Health
In my mid-forties, I started experiencing some unwelcome changes: weight gain, more frequent migraines, and unexplained aches and pains. My doctors assured me that my annual exams and test results were normal. I figured it was age, hormones, and unavoidable stress, but as the years went on, I decided I needed to do something to feel better. These are the 5 habits I’ve adopted to improve my health (spoiler: they’re working for me)…
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Please consult your health care professionals to figure out your ideal plan.
1. A Personalized Diet
For years, I’ve listened to health podcasts and followed midlife health coaches on social media. The recommendations I heard over and over were: eat more protein (especially cottage cheese), train with weights, and consider hormone therapy. But I knew I needed a more specific plan.
I signed up for sessions with a nutrition therapy practitioner for a personalized plan. We figured out that I needed to cut out dairy (at least for now) and skip heavy weight training until my body was more relaxed. She recommended focusing on healthy fats, magnesium, mineral salt, and supplements I hadn’t considered. Of all the habits I’ve adopted, I think my personalized diet has done the most to improve my health.
Five months later, my belly is significantly smaller, my migraines aren’t as frequent, and I don’t feel as stiff and achey as I used to.
Takeaway: Free wellness advice on social media is a great starting point, but if you can invest in a personalized plan – whether it’s diet, therapy, exercise, or another area of healthcare – it might make all the difference. Your ideal plan might be completely different from mine, but I hope you’ll consult your “inner expert” to guide you.
P.S. In case you know about my chocolate and coffee obsessions, are are worried about me 😉 I didn’t have to give either one up. I just made a few tweaks – coffee after breakfast (it’s not as hard on your gut that way) and high-quality dark chocolate only.
2. Active Relaxation
For the past few years, weight training and running made my shoulders tense up, which then triggered headaches. So, I’ve shifted my focus to active relaxation. Yes, instead of toning, strengthening, or stretching, I’m training my body to unwind. Here’s how:
- Breathing exercises: I struggle with meditation, so I prefer breathing exercises to reduce tension.
- Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping: This technique involves gently tapping on meridian points to reduce stress and negative thoughts. Tap With Brad offers free videos.
- Gentle Yoga: I used to love power yoga, but lately, I’ve done better with slower, restorative movements. Yoga With Adriene is my go-to.
Takeaway: Are you clenching your jaw or tensing your shoulders? I knew I was clenching my jaw at night, but when I started paying attention, I realized I also tensed up while I was driving or working. If that sounds like you, you might benefit from active relaxation techniques, too.
3. Walking
Thanks to my four-legged buddy, daily walks are non-negotiable, rain, shine, or snow. I try to:
- Walk before noon to soak in the morning light (which helps to regulate sleep)
- Walk after meals to regulate blood sugar.
- Meet up with friends to walk and talk.
Takeaway: If you’re as busy as I am, choose activities that give you multiple benefits!
4. A Simple Bedtime Routine
While I love the idea of reading in bed, I know I don’t have the discipline to stop mid-chapter when it’s time to turn off the lights. Here’s what I do to unwind and get better sleep:
- Magnesium: I use an Epsom salt soak, magnesium balm, or magnesium lotion in addition to a supplement.
- Red Light Therapy: I recently bought myself a Solawave wand to improve my skin, but . Not only has it improved my skin, but the warm light feels so soothing that it helps me unwind.
- Yoga Nidra: Also known as “yogic sleep”, Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation that induces deep relaxation. I listen to Intentionology by Loren Runion on Spotify.
Takeaway: Create your own bedtime routine to suit your needs. If you tend ot overthink like I do, choose activities that focus on relaxing your body.
5. Making Connections (Old And New)
With two kids in college and only one at home, I’ve found more time and flexibility to socialize and travel. I chose my word of the year, reflect, partly as a reminder to go back to places I once called home and visit friends and family that I haven’t seen in years.
Takeaway: Wellness experts agree that regular social connection is one of the key habits to good health. If you work from home, are an introvert or are a solopreneur, it may require some extra effort to make those connections.
Have you adopted any new habits to improve your health? Tell me what has worked for you!
Related Posts | 10 Simple Daily Habits To Improve Your Life and My One Word Resolution For 2025
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