10 Healthy Habits That'll Help You Take On 2021 In Full Form

We're just a day away from 2021. The year gone by was full of unexpected twists and turns. It was the first time in a century that the world witnessed a pandemic. Though most of the time was spent cooped in, so much - from media trials to the migrant exodus - was happening outside. Despite having a lot more time to slow down and introspect, it's safe to say that the magnitude of these events was such that they haven't sunk in for most of us. In fact, they've put our resilience to test.

If there's anything that we can learn from this, it is that the outside world will always be in a flurry.

Whether we get swayed by it or stand strong in the face of unfavourable circumstances is upto us. The ones who choose the latter have some things in common. These are habits that help them focus on their own lives as opposed to being bothered by what everyone else is doing. This is important because only when you're empowered can you inspire others to be the same. As they say, you cannot pour from an empty cup. AskMen India shares a list of 10 healthy habits you should inculcate for a peaceful, purposeful and productive 2021:

Visualize your day

The power of visualization is often underestimated by people. It is a tool that helps you declutter your mind, plan your day ahead and improve productivity. Upon waking up, set aside the first few minutes to sit in silence with your eyes shut and think about how you'd like the day to unfold. Visualize yourself doing every single task that you'd like to get done and in order. This will give you a sense of direction and stop you from getting distracted by trivial things.

Meditate

The surge in social media usage combined with a sedentary lifestyle is a recipe for disaster for this generation. Despite the advancements in health care, chronic diseases and mental illnesses are more common now than ever before. In times like these, it's important to take active measures to stay sane. Meditation is being called the biggest life skill today. It is a practice of slowing down your thoughts, changing your belief systems and staying positive no matter what is going on in the outside world.

Practise gratitude

The great thing about gratitude is that it cannot co-exist with negative emotions like anger, hatred, jealousy or self-pity. When you're grateful, you leave no room for these self-destructive thoughts. It changes your worldview, even if only for a few seconds. However, the more you practise being grateful, the more natural that way of thinking becomes. Make it a point to start and end your day by remembering at least five things you're thankful for. The more, the merrier!

Spend time in the sun

We have all heard healthcare professionals iterate the benefits of being outdoors daily. In today's sedentary society, however, most people take this knowledge for granted. A lack of exposure to the sun is, in fact, one of the main reasons for depression. Soaking in the morning sun can do wonders for your physical and mental health. Not only does it increase your Vitamin D levels and strengthen your bones in the process, but also helps you stay more positive.

Journal your thoughts

Holding onto your thoughts may seem like an easy option in the short run, but can harm your mental and emotional health in hindsight. Everyone needs an emotional ventilator. This could be a friend you're comfortable sharing your problems with, a parent who encourages honest conversations or a partner who understands where you're coming from. If not for any of these, you can always write down your thoughts on paper. Pen down the emotions you experienced throughout the day to understand yourself better.

Read voraciously

The benefits of being a reader cannot be emphasized enough. Apart from being an escape from the atrocities of the real world, the activity helps you travel to places you physically cannot go to, meet people who would otherwise never have encountered and imagine living in a world that is unlike your own. There is truly no better way to educate yourself and enrich your mind than this. This new year, schedule at least fifteen minutes of your day to dive into a good book.

Go on a digital detox

Social media has become an inseparable part of our lives today. A majority of people cannot imagine getting through a day without scrolling through photos on Instagram, stalking people on Facebook or sharing their thoughts on Twitter. While these platforms do allow us to stay connected to the world, they disconnect us from ourselves. They make us delusional enough to believe that the things happening on a 4 by 4 inch screen is of utmost importance.

Declutter

The movement of minimalism is taking on the world slowly but surely. People are starting to realize the benefits of having lesser possessions or to put it in a better way, owning only those things that create value in your life. Decluttering is not just about getting rid of things physically. In fact, it is a metaphor for letting go of things that aren't serving you mentally and making space for those that do. It helps you collect your thoughts and simplify your life.

Change your eating habits

You are what you eat. The food you put into your body directly impacts your health. Simply incorporating more healthy ingredients in your diet and cutting out those that do not carry any nutritional value will make you physically and mentally stronger. How you eat your meals also makes a difference. ing the screen simultaneously can be detrimental as it hampers the digestive process. You must also maintain good posture while eating.

Correct your sleep cycle

Sleep is one of the core components of good health. It helps your mind and body rest and recover from a long day. It also balances your hormones, repairs the wear and tear of muscles after a rigorous workout and makes you mentally and physically charged up for the next day. It is important to sleep for seven to eight hours every day. To make this happen, keep your gadgets away an hour before bedtime and snuggle up with a good book instead.

Let 2021 be your year