We have said goodbye to the summer with a heavy heart. Now, the days are getting shorter, the cold and wet weather is coming in, and we are going to be spending more time indoors. In short, it is the perfect weather for bad habits to start to come creeping back in.

It is much easier to eat right when the sun is shining, and our stress levels are low. We do not need to tell you that there is no shortage of things to be stressed about right now, and we are all guilty of leaning a little too hard on those old habits and easy comfort foods when we are feeling burned out. But there are so many reasons why we should all be making a greater effort to take care of ourselves.

Good dietary habits are a cornerstone of good physical and mental health. The comfort we get from those sugary and fatty meals and snacks does not last long, and you will find that there are alternatives out there that will leave you feeling healthier and better rested. If you need a little help getting into better routines and healthier habits, we have some tips to help you get started.

Good dietary habits are a cornerstone of good physical and mental health. Try these tips for getting into better dietary routines and healthier habits.

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Plan For Success

There are very few people out there who have successfully got into a long-lasting, much healthier lifestyle by rolling out of bed one morning and just deciding to do it. Good habits and good routines take work, and they also take planning. Sit down and look at your daily schedule.

Where can you make some time to commit to getting some exercise? Is there a slot in your evening that you can set aside for preparing healthier meals for the days ahead? What do you need to buy to make those healthy recipes that you like the look of? Are there any specific issues that you would like to learn more about and find remedies for? Once you have made a list and a timetable, you can get to work.

Can You Cut Down On Your Coffee And Alcohol?

Two of the biggest and hardest bad habits to shake come in beverage form. We are talking, of course, about caffeine and alcohol. Now, a lot of us rely on a cup of coffee to get us started in the morning, but there is plenty of evidence that shows that excessive caffeine consumption can lead to high blood pressure and bad sleep. It can also aggravate issues with your digestive system and bladder.

The same is true for alcohol. A lot of people out there got into some bad habits with alcohol during the pandemic, and it is worth noting that it is full of empty calories, it is a depressant, and it can play havoc with your sleep pattern. If you are worried about cutting caffeine and alcohol out completely, try cutting down gradually by switching some caffeine-free drinks in and trying to have some alcohol-free nights each week.

If you suffer from IBS or from another digestive disorder, you need to know what to avoid but you should also look at what potential foods and remedies could offer some respite.

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Understand What Your Goals And Needs Are

One of the great myths about living and eating healthier is that there is one solution that fits everyone. People will tell you that you just need to exercise more, or that you just need to eat more fruits and vegetables. The fact is that everyone has their own particular issues that they either want or need to work on, and one of the most important steps that you can take is educating yourself on what the best route forward is.

For example, say you’re worried about your gut health. If you suffer from IBS or if you suffer from another digestive disorder, you need to know what to avoid but you should also look at what potential foods and remedies could offer some respite. You can learn more about gut health and how you can start to make more educated choices with Dr. Ruscio. Gut health specialist Dr. Ruscio offers science-based advice and functional and alternative medicine that is cost-effective.

Look At What You Can Swap Out For Healthier Options

Part of getting older is recognizing which of your favorite treats are no longer doing you any favors. Take red meat, for example. As we get older, our bodies have a harder time digesting it, which can often lead to discomfort and pain following eating a large amount of it. More importantly, studies have shown that red meat is a major contributing factor to common serious issues such as heart disease and cancer.

While we’re talking about guilty pleasures, let’s discuss the snack drawer. We all feel the need for a bit of a boost during those long dark winter afternoons but snacking on candy or salty treats is not a healthy way forward. Make sure that you keep your snack drawer stocked with dried fruits and nuts and keep some crunchy fresh fruit and vegetables handy.