12 Healthy Habits To Live By

by Ismath Mohideen

As young women caught up in the grind of school, work, and Friday nights, we can easily lose sight of what it takes to keep us healthy and happy. Here are 12 basic healthy habits sure to give your day an added boost.

1. Eat a healthy breakfast. While it sounds easy, sleeping through the 6:30am alarm makes eating a morning meal much more difficult while you’re late and rushing out the door. Awaken 15 minutes early to give yourself enough time for some Honey Nut Cheerios (Pooja’s and my favorite).

2. Get at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. A quick jog on the treadmill or a walk around the block is all it takes to get the blood pumping. You think  more sharply, sleep better, and eat more heartily after exercise.

3. Smile at strangers. You don’t know whether they’re feeling blue, and your smile can brighten their day. You may even catch a cute guy’s attention!

4. Take your relationship slowly. You are young! Take your time and appreciate your man. It builds mutual respect, understanding of each other’s personalities, and a base for a solid union.

5. Keep in touch with friends. While this is difficult with our busy schedules, G-Mail and Facebook make it so much easier. A few of us on the Brown Girl staff have a G-Mail thread that grows both in length and in amusement.

6. Pick up a hobby. Find your inner desire and unleash it in a creative way! Painting, writing, photography, sports, whatever it is – participate in it and enjoy it!

7. Organize your space. A clutter-free house and desk space at work makes a huge difference. A clean and organized space makes you feel more productive, orderly, and in control of your surroundings.

8. Recycle. Don’t like that party dress hanging in your closet anymore? Your sorority sister just might get a dance out of it next Friday night! Recycle your clothes, shoes, furniture, books, and electronics. It’s great for beating the economic blues, and you and your friends get to try out “new” stuff!

9. Spiritual Fulfillment. Whatever your faith may be, a little meditation or reflection heals an aching mind. Concentrating on stressors and alleviating them through mental exercises helps strengthen focus, especially when life throws so many stressors at us every day.

10. Read a good book, and reflect on its message. Pick up a read that interests you, think about what the author wants to convey, and how that message can be applied in your life. If it’s chick-lit, have fun with it and fantasize about what your life may be like in the character’s shoes! Hello, shopaholic!

11. Go outside! Enjoy a bike trail, garden, walk around a lake, outdoor shopping mall, or just walk the dog! This summer, enjoy the outdoors with your friends instead of staying inside watching a movie.

12. Surround yourself with positive energy. A healthy life is filled with family and friends who care for you and want you to succeed. Concentrate on the things that make you happy and you’ll be healthy too.