10 mindful health hacks to improve your wellbeing
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA
Want to live a healthier life but don't know where to start? Explore 10 mindful health and wellness hacks that can improve your lifestyle and boost your wellbeing.
Bringing small, mindful health hacks into your daily routine can lead to significant improvements in your wellbeing. These lifestyle changes benefit your mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness, but starting the journey to a healthier lifestyle can feel daunting. Luckily, you can tweak your lifestyle one small step at a time to feel better, think clearer, and live a more balanced life.
How to live a healthy life
Living a healthy life doesn't happen with an occasional gym session, or by eating a salad instead of a burger. It's a holistic approach that involves nurturing your mind, body, and spirit throughout your daily routines. The key is to make small, consistent changes—like adjusting your diet or altering your mindset—that combine to make a healthier, happier you.
By adopting healthy habits that fit into your lifestyle, you can start making positive changes toward better wellbeing.
1. Diet and nutrition: What you eat can play an important role in your health. Bring more whole foods into your diet, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Small changes, like choosing water over soda or snacking on nuts instead of chips, can make a big difference by supplying your body with the nutrients you need to stay well.
2. Physical activity: Exercise is essential, so find activities you enjoy, like dancing, hiking, or yoga. Even daily walks during your lunch breaks or taking the stairs instead of the elevator can be a great way to bring more physical activity into your routine and even improve your mental health.
3. Mental health: Pay attention to your mental health to recognize when you need to seek rest or get support from friends, family, or professionals. Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help you manage stress when times are tough.
4. Sleep: Good sleep is fundamental to health and wellbeing. Aim for 7–9 hours per night and establish a relaxing bedtime routine to improve sleep quality.
5. Hydration: Drink enough water to support every system in your body. Staying hydrated can help with digestion, healthy skin, and energy levels.
6. Social connections: Spend quality time with loved ones to build and maintain positive relationships, or connect with new people who share your interests.
7. Personal development: Whether it's picking up a new hobby, reading more, or taking a class, focusing on learning and growing can support your overall happiness.
8. Work-life balance: Striking a balance between your professional and personal life is important. Set boundaries and make sure you take time for yourself in-between the hustle and bustle of your work day.
9. Environment: Your surroundings can impact your health. Keep your living and working spaces clean and organized, and regularly spend time in nature.
10. Mindfulness: Practice being present in the moment. Mindfulness can help improve your mental clarity and reduce stress.
10 mindful health hacks to improve your lifestyle
1. Meditate daily
A few minutes of meditation each day can help reduce stress, enhance self-awareness, and promote emotional health. Start a short daily practice to bring positive changes in your life.
💙 Carve out 10 minutes in your schedule each day to meditate during the Daily Calm.
2. Journal instead of (or before) TV time
Substitute 10 minutes of television or screen time for journaling. This simple swap can provide an outlet for your thoughts and feelings, nurturing creativity and self-reflection. Journaling before bed can also help clear your mind and improve sleep quality.
3. Meal prep for the week
Spend some time each week preparing your meals. This can help you make healthier food choices, save time and money, and can help you reduce the temptation to grab fast food. Meal prepping can also be fun and creative, as you can experiment with new recipes and flavors.
💙 Implement eating mindfully before meal or snack time by practicing Gratitude Before Meal time.
4. Make your own snacks
Homemade snacks are often healthier, less processed, and more economical than store-bought ones. Try making a batch of granola bars, fruit, and nut mixes, or vegetable chips for a nutritious, tasty bite to eat.
5. Create a health savings fund
Set up a small savings fund specifically for health and wellness activities like gym membership, dance classes, a yoga retreat, or a massage. This financial health hack means you can always take care of your wellbeing.
6. Take mindful breaks
Include short, mindful breaks into your day to help you avoid burnout and increase productivity and creativity. A five-minute break to stretch, breathe deeply, or step outside can make a big difference to your mental health.
💙 Try Mel Mah’s Moving for Fun guided video to shake off the stress and replace it with gratitude.
7. Build a relaxing bedtime routine
Create a calming evening routine to show your body it’s time to wind down. This might include reading, a warm bath, or gentle stretching. A consistent bedtime routine can enhance your sleep quality and overall health.
💙 Ease into bedtime with this Sleep Story, Connecting with the Night, for 30 minutes of uninterrupted, soothing relaxation.
8. Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support your physical health. Proper hydration can support digestion, improve skin health, and boost your energy levels.
9. Get regular exercise
Find a type of exercise you enjoy and add it to your routine. Whether it’s a dance class, a brisk walk, or a yoga session, regular physical activity can help you maintain good health and mental wellbeing.
💙 Meet Mel, Meet Your Body during the Daily Move for an introduction to mindful exercise.
10. Cultivate positive social connections
Social interactions can have a profound impact on your mental health. Cultivate and maintain relationships that support and uplift you, like spending time with friends and family, or engaging in community activities.
💙 Dive into nurturing the connections in your life with the help of this series on Meaningful Practice for Meaningful Friendship.
Health hacks FAQs
What are some good life hacks?
Life hacks are simple strategies or shortcuts that make daily tasks more efficient and manageable. Good life hacks might include organizing your day with a to-do list, using meal prep to save time and eat healthily, and setting specific, achievable goals for both short-term and long-term objectives. Other useful hacks can be as straightforward as placing your keys in the same spot every day to avoid losing them, or as impactful as practicing mindfulness to reduce stress. These small but effective changes can lead to improved productivity, reduced anxiety, and an overall better quality of life.
Why are life hacks important?
Life hacks are important because they can significantly simplify your day-to-day activities, leading to a more organized and less stressful lifestyle. They can help you manage your time and resources more effectively, allowing you to focus on your goals and wellbeing. Life hacks can also introduce you to new ways of thinking and approaching problems, so you can become more adaptable and resourceful. Mindful breathing or regular exercise can be simple life hacks to improve your physical and mental health.
Why is it called a life hack?
The term "life hack" originates from the tech world, where "hack" refers to a clever solution or a shortcut to solve a complex programming problem. In everyday life, a life hack refers to any trick, skill, or method to help you increase productivity and efficiency in different areas. Hacking your life to make daily tasks easier can free up time and energy for the things that matter most to you.
What is a lifestyle hack?
A lifestyle hack involves practical tips or shortcuts that aim to improve your daily life, especially in terms of health, happiness, and efficiency. These hacks can range from simple home organization tricks to strategies for managing mental health. For example, setting a specific bedtime to ensure adequate sleep can be a lifestyle hack for better health. Using technology efficiently to save time or adopting habits that promote a positive mindset can also be part of lifestyle hacking. Essentially, hacks are small, manageable changes that can lead to a more enjoyable and productive life.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
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