10 Healthy Habits to Incorporate in 2024 for Your Mental Health 

There is no better time to develop healthy habits than when a new year is just beginning. If you are like many people, this is most likely something you have on your list of resolutions for 2024. 

Healthy habits are wonderful things to prioritize, especially if you are trying to combat bad habits. Many healthy habits can be used to replace unhealthy habits, making the transition much easier. 

In this article, we are going to be discussing some of the best healthy habits you can incorporate into your daily life and how they can help you replace bad habits, so keep reading. 

Prioritize Sleep 

One of the healthiest habits you can adopt is making sleep a higher priority. So many people do not get enough sleep, which is bad for your physical and mental health. 

To prioritize sleep, you need to have a nighttime routine established that dictates how your evening progresses. This will help you have a timeline you can follow so you get to bed at the same time every night. A nighttime routine also helps you wind down, which can help combat any restlessness that you may feel when you go to bed. It is also worth mentioning that you should try to avoid napping during the day if you are struggling to fall asleep at night.  

A healthy sleep schedule can help replace any bedtime procrastination you may be struggling with, as well as other unhealthy nighttime habits. 

Take Walks 

Getting outside for at least a few minutes every day is a very healthy habit, especially if this takes the form of daily walks. Walking is very healthy for your mind and body and is a great way to break up your day. 

Many people choose to take a short walk during their lunch hour when they have a little time away from work. But you can fit a walk in any time of the day, depending on your schedule and when it makes the most sense for you. 

Walking is especially helpful if you are trying to beat bad habits such as smoking since you can use walking to fill this time instead. 

Read Books 

With so much entertainment available, it is easy to waste away any free time that you have. As beneficial as entertainment can be, it is not always the best pastime for your mental health, which is why you may want to start reading instead.  

Reading a book is a great pastime to incorporate into your morning and evening routine since it is relaxing and non-stimulating. You are less likely to become distracted by it like you would if you were to watch something online or scroll on social media. 

Reading is a great alternative if you are struggling with a social media addiction or have issues with stress and anxiety. In many instances, going online during your free time is only going to make these issues worse. 

Cook Homemade Meals 

Too often, people rely on eating out instead of cooking meals at home. Cooking your food gives you more control over what you are putting into your body, which is useful if you want to eat healthier this year. 

Learning to cook your own food is a great habit to develop, especially if you are struggling with an eating disorder. Cooking helps you to appreciate the end result more and can change how you view food. This is also the best way to beat any unhealthy eating habits, such as eating out at fast food restaurants. 

Drink More Water 

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions many people have is drinking more water. We all know that we need to drink a significant amount of water each day, but it can be difficult to achieve.  

A great way to achieve this goal is to track how much you drink with water bottles. You can buy large water bottles that have measurements on them so you can drink a certain amount of water at certain points throughout the day. Ideally, you should drink the most water in the morning and afternoon instead of in the evening since you don’t want it to keep you up at night. 

Prioritizing drinking water is a great way to tackle unhealthy drinking habits. Instead of reaching for an alcoholic beverage or caffeinated drink, try replacing that with a glass of water that will actually benefit your body. 

Practice Meditation 

Meditation is an incredibly beneficial habit that helps you to slow down and live in the moment. It is also very easy to incorporate into your daily routine, whether you want to do it in the morning, afternoon, or evening. You could even try meditating several times a day for shorter amounts of time. 

Meditation is a great way to replace unhealthy habits, such as scrolling online or going out to smoke. I can also help you combat feelings of stress and anxiety, both short-term and long-term since it gives your mind a rest and brings things into perspective. 

Wake Up Earlier 

Aside from getting more sleep at night, it is also beneficial to wake up earlier in the morning. The majority of people tend to feel more accomplished and less overwhelmed when they get an earlier start to their day. To do this, you need to make sure you are going to bed early enough so you get enough sleep and don’t wake up feeling overly fatigued. 

Waking up earlier can help you replace bad habits, such as sleeping in and starting your day feeling rushed and anxious. It can also help you beat procrastination habits that keep you from feeling productive and efficient. 

Find New Hobbies 

Hobbies are incredibly beneficial for your mental health and help you to have a purpose and feel accomplished. Too often people overlook the benefit of hobbies, but this is a great way to fill your free time with something that is rewarding in more ways than one. 

Hobbies are one of the best ways to replace bad habits since they give you something to do with that time you would otherwise use for something else. For instance, if you are trying to avoid going out and drinking with friends, you could try finding a new hobby, such as sewing or baking. 

Make Time For Friends and Family 

Our lives are very busy, which is why you have to be intentional about what you make time for. An example of something you should take more time for in 2024 is spending time with friends and family. Socializing with loved ones is beneficial for your mental health and will help you cultivate a community you can trust. 

Spending time with friends and family can also help you avoid falling into old habits, such as drinking, smoking, and self-isolating.  

Stretch Throughout the Day 

Moving is vital for maintaining good physical and mental health, but many people don’t move enough throughout the day. Your job may require you to sit for long periods of time, making it difficult to stay active and feel good at the end of the day. To combat this, you can try stretching throughout the day to loosen up your muscles and joints. Try doing this every 1 to 2 hours with just a few simple stretches you can do whether you are at work or home. 

If you look at your day, you most likely waste 5 to 10 minutes here and there. So stretching for 5 to 10 minutes throughout the day is a much more beneficial way of using this time. 

As intimidating as it can feel to develop healthy habits, these are habits that are easy to cultivate and incorporate into your daily routine. You can also examine any bad habits you want to replace to better understand what healthy habits you should try to adopt.