Staying healthy has become harder than ever, with the rise of remote working and the constant stress we’re all feeling. Yet with the new year comes renewed hope and promises. Many have made the promise to be healthier this year, even knowing the challenges they may face in doing so.

Contrary to popular belief, one can start living a healthier lifestyle without making major changes. Sometimes one has to start small to achieve success. Here is a list of advice for getting started.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet will go a long way in making the body feel better. Not only will this help one get healthier, but it adds a bit of variety to your diet, which keeps things from getting boring. 

When balancing your diet, be sure to include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, protein, and any other essential nutrients and vitamins. If this is a challenge, consider reaching out to a nutritionist.

On that note, it is also beneficial to cut down on things such as sugar and salt. Excessive sugar leads to tooth decay, weight gain, and other health concerns. At the same time, excessive salt leads to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Reducing both will likely result in a healthier body and lifestyle. As with any significant change, it wouldn’t hurt to discuss it with your doctor first.

Sleep Is Your Friend

Everyone needs to get a good night’s sleep. Experts have always said that one should get a total of eight hours of sleep every night, but the truth is that we’re all different. One person might need eight hours of sleep. Another person might need ten hours to feel fully rested. The trick here is to listen to your body and leave enough time each night to get those required hours.

Exercise More

Naturally, it only makes sense to include exercise on this list of healthy lifestyles. Here’s the thing: exercise comes in many forms. There’s no rule saying one has to do a workout they hate to stay fit. Consider some fun alternatives, such as walking, swimming, or joining a Zumba class. Alternatively, there are hundreds of virtual courses available for those feeling a bit more shy or cautious during these times. The best thing about these online classes is that there is something for everyone, meaning you’ll almost certainly find the perfect workout for you.