Whether you’re moving, leaving a relationship, or trying to conceive, it may seem like major life changes are always right around the corner. Indeed, change is constant, but rather than becoming overwhelmed by this, you can use it as an opportunity to ditch toxic relationships, change your career, or even start a new hobby. One of the best improvements you can make is identifying unhealthy habits that you want to change and replacing them with healthy ones. Consider the following six healthy habits that can make your next life transition easier.
7 healthy habits to adopt during a life transition
Take Care of Your Mental Health
1. Engage in meditation. Many people don’t realize that meditation is one of the most beneficial habits to form. In addition to the many benefits, it offers to your physical health, it can help with mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, too.
2. Consider going to therapy. Talk therapy is another wonderful way to take care of your mental health. According to research, counseling can help you strengthen your long-term coping skills, which is a valuable ability if you’re going through a major life transition — or anticipating major changes in the future.
3. See a psychiatrist. In some cases, if a life transition triggers severe anxiety or the onset of depression, it may be necessary to reach out to a psychiatrist. A psychiatric professional can prescribe antidepressants or other medications that may make it easier to deal with the changes. If you have a bad habit of suppressing your feelings, replace that habit with seeking appropriate care.
4. Go back to school. If you’re currently stuck in an unfulfilling career, consider venturing into a new field. You can earn an online master’s degree in a field of your choice. As opposed to in-person learning options, online programs allow you to complete the coursework at your own pace.
Take Care of Your Physical Health
5. Try to exercise daily. Of course, your physical health is just as important as your mental health, and one of the most important ways to take care of both is to be available for exercise. If you usually unwind by watching TV, it’s time to replace Netflix with a treadmill. Making time to exercise at least five days a week offers benefits such as lower blood pressure, better heart health, and stronger muscles.
6. Give your diet a makeover. In times of stress — including major life transitions — it’s easy to turn to the comfort of junk food. A life change is a terrific opportunity to give your diet a makeover, though. Ensure that you’re getting enough fruits and vegetables and not too much fat or processed foods.
7. See a doctor. One of the most essential ways to take care of your physical health is to schedule an annual doctor’s appointment. Talking to a medical professional can help you achieve a healthier lifestyle, and virtual telehealth appointments make it easy to schedule flexible appointments. Telehealth also offers more options for care, more affordable pricing, and simplified prescription refills. The best part: you can book an online doctor appointment using your tablet, smartphone, or home computer.
Be Initiative-taking in Forming Better Habits
When you’re approaching a big life change, it’s normal to feel fear, anxiety, and other negative emotions — but change doesn’t have to be bad. In fact, it can be the trigger for implementing positive new habits, including habits that will benefit your physical and mental health. If you want to replace unhealthy habits with good ones, live a healthy lifestyle by taking steps like meditating, going back to school, exercising, and improving your diet.
What are some of your healthy habits? Let me know in the comments.
–Chantel Keona
Chantel Keona 