Good habits can set you up for a long, healthy future. A healthy lifestyle will improve your quality of life, both physically and mentally. We’ve all tried to eat healthily or exercise daily, but these healthy habits can seem difficult to stick to, causing a never-ending cycle of giving up and starting over.

Building habits can initially seem intimidating, but here are some ways to create new healthy habits that actually stick.

Start Small

When developing new habits, it’s important to start small. Trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight is often overwhelming and unsustainable in the long term. Instead, focus on making one small change at a time.

For example, if you’re trying to eat healthier, start by adding one extra serving of fruits or vegetables to your diet each day. Once that becomes part of your daily routine, you can slowly start making other changes, such as cutting back on sugar or eating more whole foods. By taking things slow, you’re more likely to stick with your new habits for the long haul.

Plan ahead

Make your new habits easier to stick to by planning ahead of time. For example, if you want to exercise, lay out your gym clothes the night before so you’re more motivated to put them on in the morning. If you want to eat healthier, make sure your fridge has lots of healthy snacks. Meal prep for days that you might be too busy to cook. Pre-wash and cut up some vegetables and fruits so you can grab them on the go.

Keep track of your progress

Sometimes, we give up on our healthy habits because it feels like we haven’t progressed with them. Write down your progress in a journal to reflect on it. It will not only make you feel better about what you’ve already done, but it will also motivate you to continue moving forward. Writing down your goals also holds you more accountable.

Reward yourself for making these healthy changes.

Building a new healthy habit doesn’t have to be tedious or unenjoyable. Instead, find fun and rewarding ways to practice your new habits, such as going on a walk with your friends or signing up for a fun cooking class. New habits are always easier when you do them with a friend.

Stick to your habits daily

You will create a new routine much more quickly if you practice it daily. However, don’t ever punish yourself for falling off track. If you miss a day or two, just move on and continue from where you left off. Don’t let it undo all your progress by giving up.

If you have some ‘bad’ habits you’d like to eliminate, the first step is to identify what they are and what triggers you to do them. Is it stress, lack of time, or another underlying issue causing you to have these bad habits? All habits have a purpose, even the bad ones. They might be coping mechanisms for something, so find out what that is, and then you can work on fixing it.

One of the most challenging things about developing new habits is getting started. Motivating yourself to change your routine can be difficult, especially if you’re trying to adopt a healthy habit like exercising or eating better. By taking small steps toward your goal daily, you’ll pave a path that will get you there with a slow and steady approach.

What is the first goal you want to make progress on?

Despite our best intentions, healthy eating can often feel like more of a chore than a pleasure. With long working hours and busy family lives, it can be hard to find the time to prepare nutrient-rich meals from scratch. However, you can take a few simple shortcuts to get to that healthy lifestyle without taking up more time that you don’t have.

Here’s how to sneak in more healthy living via simple shortcuts to get you on track faster.

Cook simple foods in a batch

The problem with meal prep recipes is that while you and your family may love that meal the first night, it wears out its welcome on your table the rest of the week. Instead of making a giant portion that will wind up going to waste, cook foods in a simple way.

Whatever you prepare, keep it simple so you can repurpose it in different ways throughout the week. Do this with veggies and grains, and you’ll save on preparing dinner during the week while still eating healthy.

Keep your pantry and freezer ready

You can make anything when you have a stash of reliable ingredients handy. Canned beans, lentils, frozen shrimp, rice, canned tuna, and all sorts of kitchen staples should always be stocked. Don’t forget your seasonings — herbs add tons of flavor and nutrition to keep everything from being bland.

Throw in more vegetables

Soups and salads are a great way to boost veggie intake. When you make either one, throw in more vegetables than called for to boost nutrition. If you’re using your oven to roast chicken, throw in a tray of broccoli, brussels sprouts, or cauliflower to go along with it. Any chance you have to put more vegetables on the table, do it.

Take your own food

When you’re on the go, it helps to bring your own healthy foods with you. Sometimes, it may be the only way to get a solid meal, like while on a plane. But in other cases, like road trips, it can save you from eating fried drive-thru fare. Make your own sandwiches, pack some nuts, and bring fruit. If you’re away for a few days, stop by a local store to load your hotel fridge with a veggie tray with hummus for healthy snacks.

Know that it’s OK to buy ready-made foods

Sometimes, you need to do what’s best for your sanity. If you are exhausted from your day, the best thing you can do is pick up a ready-made meal. Grab a rotisserie chicken from the deli. Get some hummus and cut-up veggies. Even ready-made wraps filled with veggies, fresh broth-based soups, and other meals are a huge helper on busy days, and they are far healthier than the alternative.

By following these simple little shortcuts, you can stick to healthy living even when time is tight.

It’s always a good time to start making healthy changes in your life, and today is as good a day as any. When you want to make some shifts in your life, put more emphasis on building healthier routines. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your successes along the way. If you take this one step at a time, you’ll create routines that nourish you and help you to sustain a healthy, vibrant life.

Here are some simple adjustments to your wellness routine to get started on the right foot.

Start caring for your gut microbiome

Make sure you’re eating foods with prebiotics and probiotics to give your gut everything it needs to stay balanced.

Prioritize healthy eating

Aim to make your plate full of foods with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. A great way to do this is to make your meals as colorful as possible to give your body exactly what it needs.

Focus on your sleep hygiene

Most people don’t give much thought to their sleep habits, but the truth is that how you sleep can significantly impact your overall health. That’s why it’s important to focus on your sleep hygiene. This means ensuring that your sleeping environment is dark, quiet, and cool, establishing a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding caffeine before bed. It may also mean limiting your exposure to blue light in the evening by avoiding screens for an hour or two before bedtime.

A nurturing skincare routine

They may cost a bit more, but quality skincare products go a long way to ensuring you glowing and healthy skin. Read the ingredients and be sure you’re using something beneficial for your skin type.

Stop skipping breakfast

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. When you wake up in the morning, your body is in a fasted state and requires nourishment. Eating breakfast helps to break the fast and replenish your body’s energy stores.

Additionally, breakfast provides an important opportunity to get essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, that are important for overall health. While it may be tempting to skip breakfast in favor of a quick cup of coffee or an extra hour of sleep, doing so can make you feel more tired later in the day.

Start strength training in your workouts

Even if you’re a regular runner or cyclist, cardio isn’t all your body needs. Start strength training in your workouts to improve your overall fitness and health. Strength training can help increase your metabolism and bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and other age-related problems. You only need a couple of days a week to put weightlifting on your schedule. Grab some dumbbells and keep them in your living room to use while watching TV.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire life overnight, but taking small daily steps can lead to significant long-term results.