10 Tips for Making Healthy Choices in Life

Think about the last time you made a decision. Maybe it was what you were going to wear that day or what you were going to have for lunch. And maybe, just maybe, your decision impacted more than just your own life. Decisions like these — the small ones we make daily — affect our overall health. From choosing a low calorie or low sugar sparkling wine, switching to non-alcoholic beer to making time for mental health breaks, here are ten tips to help you make healthier decisions in life!

1) Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries is essential in taking care of yourself and making healthy choices. According to research, men tend to set boundaries better than women, but everyone could benefit from doing it more. When you set boundaries, you’re communicating what’s acceptable and not acceptable to you. This can be helpful when it comes to over-extending yourself by trying to do everything for everyone. You can set a boundary for yourself by saying “no” when you need to and by setting aside time to do what needs doing in your life. Take time for yourself and sit back and enjoy an alcohol-free glass of bubbly rosé.

2) Learn from Your Behavior
Behavior is information that will help you realize what’s possible. For example, if you’re unhappy with a decision, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. What could you have done differently? What can you do next time to make a better decision?

3) Be Present
When making a decision, be present and focused on the task at hand. This means putting away your phone, turning off distractions and really taking the time to think about what you’re doing. When you’re fully present, you’re more likely to make a decision that aligns with your values and goals.

4) Recharge Those Batteries
So much goes under this umbrella. Of course, getting enough sleep each night, seven or more hours for the average adult, is an excellent first step. Learn to meditate, reduce stress and increase calmness. Simply sitting in a quiet place with a glass of sparkling wine in hand and relaxing can give you time to think. Be sure you’re taking breaks throughout your workday, making time for the activities you enjoy and enjoying a vacation or staycation a few times a year. These are all essential for your well-being. When you make time to recharge, you’re better equipped to make healthy decisions.

5) Be Informed
Before making a decision — especially a big one — do your research! Gather as much information as you can so that you can make an informed decision. This is especially important when it comes to things like diet, exercise and supplements. Speak with a healthcare professional or certified nutritionist to get started.

6) Check-In with Your Emotions
Your emotions can be helpful allies or tricky opponents. Remember, your emotions are real, but they aren’t reality. When making decisions, it’s important to check in with your emotions and see how they affect you. For example, it might not be the best time to make a decision if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. However, if you’re confident and clear-headed, you’re more likely to make a decision that aligns with your goals. And if the squirrels in your head are a bit too out of control, reach out to a close friend for a good chat and bounce those ideas and thoughts off of them.

7) Consider Your Options
When you’re making a decision, it’s important to consider all of your options. This doesn’t mean agonizing over every little detail or outcome — that’s not productive. But it does mean taking the time to weigh your options and make a decision that’s best for you. For example, if you’ve noticed you’re drinking too much on the weekend, know that options exist to pair with that pasta dinner. You can reach for an alcohol-free wine instead. Simple, but considered is the way to be.

8) Set Yourself Up For Success
Making healthy decisions is being realistic about what you can and cannot do. Are you going to be up at 5 a.m. for the gym every day if your job, kids or other commitments have you getting to bed at midnight? Not likely. And it’s not recommended, either. You’ll burn out trying to be healthy, which makes no sense. Instead, set yourself up for success by making decisions that fit your life. If you can only commit to going to the gym three times a week after work, that’s perfectly fine. At least you’re going and trying!

9) Avoid Depriving Yourself and Find Alternatives
Sometimes when we try to get healthy, we pinpoint what’s negatively affecting our physical, mental and emotionally healthy and try to eliminate it from our lives. That works for some things, like smoking, but for others, like food, it can backfire.

If you try to deprive yourself of the foods you love, you’ll likely be bingeing at some point. It’s much better to find healthier alternatives that still give you the same satisfaction and fulfill the needs your body is asking for.

Likewise, if you enjoy drinks with friends but are cruising the sobriety highway these days, you can still enjoy alternatives like a non-alcoholic sangria on a warm spring or hot summer evening. You don’t have to give everything up to be healthy!

10) Set Small Goals and Celebrate Along the Way
When making healthy choices, setting small goals and celebrating along the way is important. Trying to do too much at once is overwhelming and can make you feel like giving up altogether. So start small — like adding some desk yoga or stretches to your workday routine or committing to taking a brisk 20-minute walk after dinner each night. Once you’ve achieved that goal, set another one. And keep going until you reach your ultimate goal of being healthier!

Keep Calm and Make Healthy Choices
As you make choices that support your physical, mental and emotional health, it’s important to keep perspective and not put too much pressure on yourself. There will be times when you make a healthy choice and times when you don’t. The goal is to find balance and move in the direction of health more often than not. So cut yourself some slack, enjoy the journey and keep making those healthy choices.
What are some of your favorite tips and strategies for making healthy choices?