6 Healthy Habits to Start at Home
Staying healthy doesn’t center around waking up at 6 AM, going for a 30-minute run, and drinking an organic, freshly-made smoothie before your kids wake up. This works for some people but not everyone, and that’s okay!
If you’re seeking balance and wellness, introducing simple, doable habits that you can repeat at home without any effort can go a long way.
Small changes can have a huge impact on your lifestyle. For example, getting at least 8 hours of sleep will supply you with energy for the whole day. It’s a much more sustainable way to address your well-being than drinking a few cups of coffee.
The same can be said for other habits you may have in your daily life that can be improved or fully replaced.
In this article, you’ll discover simple yet healthy habits to start integrating into your daily routine — ones that don’t require perfection or a packed schedule, just small, meaningful shifts that support your long-term well-being.
What Are Health Habits?
Habits can almost be treated as “shortcuts” because they become an integral part of your lives to the point where you don’t even realize you’re doing them. They become automatic and are commonly triggered at a particular time of day, place, or another activity.
For example, when you wake up in the morning, the first thing you may do is wash your face, make coffee, or check your phone.
So, what are health habits? These are good habits like exercising, eating healthily, reading at night, and drinking lots of water. Health habits are beneficial to your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Unfortunately, it’s human nature to seek quick rewards and adopt unhealthy habits, such as opening a pack of chips after a long day at work or going to sleep late at night because it’s the weekend.
That’s why small steps are imperative to replacing bad habits with healthier ones. If you want to live a fuller life, these healthy habits are a way to go:
6 Healthy Practices You Can Start Today
Start Your Day with Movement
If your goal is to start running, you can begin by doing some movement in the morning. It doesn’t have to be a full-body workout; stretching, yoga, or a simple walk outdoors is a good start.
To introduce this new healthy practice, devote only 5 to 10 minutes a day to your fitness exercise. Later, you can extend the time up to 30 minutes, or even an hour.
To reinforce the habit, I also recommend setting up cues that will prevent you from giving up on the new activity. Try placing a yoga mat right next to your bed after waking up, or putting on your sneakers once you finish your coffee. This will lead you in the right direction and give your body and mind hints of what to expect next.
2. Prioritize Hydration
Did you know that 47% of Americans do not drink enough water? Water is a vital nutrient that must be provided to the body daily, yet almost half the population drinks fewer than 5 glasses of water.
How can you reverse the trend and introduce a habit of drinking enough water?
Make drinking water a morning habit
Buy reusable water bottles to refill them throughout the day
Set reminders to drink water (most smart watches have this function)
Track water intake
Hydrate yourself by eating fruits and vegetables
3. Plan Balanced Meals
As a mom and a professional health coach/personal trainer, I used to struggle with finding time to cook healthy food from scratch, too. So, if you’re in the same situation, you’re not alone!
It took me some time to figure out the best way to save time, cook delicious food, and still have energy to spend time with my family. Here are some of my meal-prep healthy habits that are life-savers:
If you don’t know what to cook, I’ve compiled an e-cookbook with 20-minute recipes – easy and nutritious ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Save time by prepping ingredients for your meal – pre-cut veggies, marinate meat, or buy frozen vegetables that don’t take much time to cook.
Plan your meals a week ahead so that you know the ingredients you need and have them ready and fresh in your fridge.
Freeze chopped herbs in olive oil and use them when cooking to give your dishes a nice boost of flavor.
Buy pre-cooked protein (such as rotisserie chicken) that can be used in a variety of meals.
One last habit that is not particularly healthy but a total life-saver is cleaning as you go. Avoid stacking dishes in the sink and wash them while your food is cooking.
4. Set a Regular Sleep Schedule
One of the most underrated healthy habits is maintaining a consistent sleep routine.
Good sleep hygiene includes going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. It can significantly improve your energy, focus, and even weight management.
When your body knows when to rest, it functions better during the day, and your hormones (including those tied to hunger and stress) stay more balanced.
Start by setting a realistic bedtime that allows for 7–9 hours of sleep, and stick to it—even on weekends. Better sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a foundation for your physical and emotional well-being.
5. Create a Screen-Free Wind-Down Routine
Another healthy habit is spending at least 30 minutes screen-free before going to sleep. It’s truly a small but meaningful change that will allow you to relax and fall asleep faster.
So, what can you do during your screen-free time? Many things can have a positive impact on your life:
Even 10 minutes of meditation before sleep can help you clear your mind, eliminate all the negative thoughts, and fall asleep relaxed.
Some people use this time to run errands around the house: folding the laundry, doing skincare, planning the next day, and more.
Reading is another good method to wind down, even if you're using an e-book reader.
6. Practice Daily Gratitude or Journaling
Daily gratitude and journaling are some of the nicest healthy practices you can introduce to your routine.
Practicing gratitude can help you appreciate the value of the things you have and understand that joy and fulfillment often come from appreciating the present rather than constantly chasing what’s next.
Journaling your thoughts can also help minimize or even eliminate the concerns you have at the moment and help you find real solutions to problems you might have.
How to Stay Consistent with Healthy Habits
Staying consistent with healthy habits isn’t about willpower alone—it’s about building systems that work for you. If you’ve ever started strong with a goal, only to feel it fizzle out after a week or two, you’re not alone. Consistency is a skill that gets easier with the right tools and mindset.
Here are the 3 actionable tips to make new healthy habits a part of your daily routine:
1. Try Habit Stacking
One of the easiest ways to build a new habit is by linking it to something you already do. This is called habit stacking. For example, if you already make coffee every morning, try adding a glass of water or a quick stretch right afterward. Over time, these small actions add up without feeling overwhelming.
2. Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Be specific with your goals. Instead of saying, “I want to eat healthier,” try “I’ll add one vegetable to my dinner every night this week.” Small, measurable goals make progress easier to track and celebrate, which keeps you motivated in the long run.
3. Find Accountability That Works
Whether it’s a friend, a coach, or a supportive online community, having someone to check in with can keep you on track. Accountability doesn’t mean pressure—it’s about encouragement and gentle reminders that you’re not doing this alone.
🏃 If I’ve learned anything through coaching, it’s that consistency doesn’t come from being perfect —it comes from showing up, even when life gets messy. Some days you’ll be on top of your habits, and other days you’ll miss the mark. That’s okay. What matters is getting back to it without guilt or giving up.
You deserve a routine that fits your life, not the other way around. If you’re ready to create habits that actually stick, let’s talk. Explore my weight loss coaching services to get weekly support and practical tips. You’ve got this.
Real Results from Real People
Small changes work for everyone – you just need to find a method that works for you!
| “One of the most helpful lessons I learned from this program was that I don't need to cut calories drastically to lose weight - smaller but consistent changes really work!” | “After 5 months of working together, I was not only able to lose 30+ pounds, I gained back my confidence, energy and happiness. The biggest impact this program has given me is the ability to enjoy eating again.” | “Strong With Sarah is a perfectly customized program that works to build on your strengths while giving you a very manageable framework to tackle your weaknesses / bad habits.” |
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
Building a healthier lifestyle doesn’t require a complete overhaul overnight. Start small—reflect on what habits feel most doable right now, and choose just one or two to begin today.
Whether it’s drinking more water, moving your body for 10 minutes, or getting to bed earlier, those small steps create momentum over time.
Need help staying consistent? Explore my personalized coaching options and get the accountability, tools, and encouragement you need to build habits that last.
