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With the new year upon us, it is time to make new year's resolutions. Many people’s resolution is to start living a healthier life. However, this can be a challenge for some people as they might not know where to start or what to do. Continue reading to find out some tips that you can take with you to start your new year off on the right foot.  

1. Take Breaks to Reduce Stress 

Whether you are working from home or simply watching Netflix, it is important to stop and take time to yourself to help reduce your stress, especially if you are sitting for the majority of the day. Activities you can do to help reduce stress can be as simple as standing up for a few minutes to stretch and relieve tension in your muscles, going for a walk outside or meditating to clear your head.  

2. Exercise Regularly 

Exercise is an important activity not only for your physical health but for your mental health as well. Even if you cannot afford a gym membership or a fitness class, you can still move your body. There are a few benefits of moving your body and exercising including improving blood flow, affecting how your body is nourished and reducing depression and anxiety. It is said that you should either get 150 hours of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. Try an online Pilates class. You can either sign up for one through a fitness instructor or you can find a free one online. Other options that you can try could include going for a walk or a run. 

3. Choose Fresh, Plant-Based Foods When Possible 

If you start to use the fresh food in your house over the shelf-stable foods, it can help you live a healthier life. If you do not think that you will eat all the fresh food that you bought, freeze it so you can still eat it a little later. Be sure to wash your fruits and vegetables before you eat them, however, to ensure that there are no harmful chemicals or dirt. You can use your frozen vegetables to make a vegetable stir fry with either brown or cauliflower rice or you can sauté them up and serve them with some whole grain pasta.  

4. Drink Water 

A key component to staying healthy is to stay hydrated. Drinking an adequate amount of water, about 8-10 glasses or 64 ounces a day, can also help in fighting off cravings that you may have such as carbohydrate-heavy snacks. If you are wanting flavored water, try to grab one that has zero calories. Many people tend to find water tasteless. If you are one of these people, you could try to incorporate fruits into your water to give it the added flavor that you may be looking for.  

5. Stretch Regularly 

Staring at a computer screen or television all day can tighten up muscles in your legs, hips or lower back so treat these sore muscles and stretch them out. Stretches do not have just have to be done indoors. Simply going for a walk can do wonders and loosen up sore muscles. Not only is walking good for loosening up your muscles but getting outside is good for productivity, mindfulness and motivation. You can look up various stretches online to follow or you can just do your own thing and stretch out the muscles that you feel need it.  

Start your new year on the right foot by taking some of these tips and incorporating them into your daily life. These are simple changes that you can make that will lead you on the right path to starting to live a healthier life.