Easy, healthy habits you can add to your life in 2023

A new year has arrived, and with it comes a chance to make positive changes to your body, lifestyle, and relationships. 

Whether you have a whole host of resolutions you're already tracking or don't believe in them, there are plenty of things to help you make 2023 even better than 2022. 

From taking the first steps toward improving your physical fitness, to improving your mental health, the following are an ideal way to kickstart 2023 -- but are sure to be helpful at any point in the year, too!

Here are easy, healthy habits you can add to your life in 2023.

Spend less time on your phone

Your well-being isn’t limited to your physical fitness, and a new year offers a great chance to look at your habits – do you find yourself “doomscrolling” through Twitter? Are you checking your phone too often?

If you’re spending too much time on the computer in your pocket, it may be time to put a pin in it. Some easy suggestions are charging your phone in a different room overnight to help prevent you spending too much time on it when you should be sleeping, or banning phones from the dinner table.

With built-in screen time recording on both Android and iOS, it’s easier than ever to see what apps take up your time, too, so you can remove the temptation by moving them off of your home screen, or even uninstalling them altogether.

Many people use January for a “social media cleanse,” and if you can afford to do so, you may find it quite liberating.

Walk more often

While January can certainly be cold and wet, finding time to get outdoors for half an hour at a time can offer a huge boost to your physical and mental health.

On the former, getting the blood pumping throughout your body is never a bad thing, and many people (this writer included), feel more creative and capable after some exercise.

If you feel a brisk walk isn’t quite challenging enough, consider heading out to run for a few minutes, before building to longer distances or longer time frames.

There are also under-desk treadmills to help you make the most of time at your desk, and when paired with standing desks can help you stay active during meetings or while clearing your inbox.

Join a gym

This may seem an obvious one, but there’s something to be said about going to a dedicated exercise space. Being around like-minded individuals looking for self-improvement in January helps get you in the right headspace to work out.

Gyms are also able to offer much more expanded workout possibilities, with most offering a huge range of free weights, machines, cardio options, and recovery tools like saunas or massage treatments.

Even if your gym doesn’t offer everything above, a change of scenery with an exercise goal in mind can make a world of difference.

Track your fitness goals

Speaking of goals, it’s important to track your progress to assess how far along you are. On the one hand, it can inspire you to push on, but on the other hand, it’s nice to give yourself a pat on the back every now and again to show how far you’ve come.

While fitness trackers are ideal for this very purpose (and there are plenty of affordable options that won’t break the bank), you can always grab a small notepad. Make notes of how your workouts are going, and how you feel mentally after each, and compare it week-on-week.

Start a journal

Journaling is a hugely beneficial way to motivate yourself to improve day after day, and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time.

Looking back to see how far you’ve come, in professional or personal terms, is a great way of building confidence in yourself. It also helps improve writing skills, lets you track more than just fitness goals, and is an ideal way to provide your own inspiration for being a better version of you.

Physical journals are great, but there are also digital options like Day One which can offer to prompt questions to help find out what’s on your mind on any given day.

Drink more water

This is something this writer is particularly guilty of, but it’s always good to remember to hydrate.

Your body needs water to survive, and while the temptation of soda, coffee, and much more will always be around, water on its own is well worth keeping around.

Aside from keeping your body running at optimal temperatures and avoiding issues with digestion, drinking water can improve your mood and help you think more clearly, too.