How to Be Healthier: 10 Practical Ways

You’ve probably Googled “how to be healthier” at least once. And honestly, between overpriced supplements, skinny tea ads (seriously, stop it), and conflicting advice about carbs, it feels less like getting healthy and more like preparing for battle.

Here’s the truth. Being healthier doesn’t mean overhauling your life overnight or becoming some smoothie-drinking kale evangelist. Real health comes from health behaviors that actually work for your body and your lifestyle.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or just curious to make smarter choices, here are 10 practical, evidence-based ways to get healthier without losing your mind.

1. Master Healthy Eating Habits

I’m not a fan of the term “healthy eating” because it often feels subjective and restrictive. What’s considered a “healthy food” can vary greatly from person to person and tends to focus on rules and limitations.

True health starts with healthful eating, which is about choosing foods that nourish you while still enjoying your favorite foods.

Healthful eating shifts the focus from what you’re cutting out to what you’re adding in to support your overall well-being and happiness. It’s about listening to your body’s needs, and practicing the eating behaviors that prioritize your well-being over fitspo perfection.

Here’s how to start eating healthfully:

• Go full rainbow mode on your plate - a balanced diet of fresh fruits and veggies combined with whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy will completely change your energy levels.

• Minimize the sneaky shit. Overdoing it on added sugars and saturated fats come with some pretty gnarly health risks but that doesn’t mean you have to cut them out completely. Just be mindful of the guidelines, and moderate with your portion sizes for better health.

• Stop labeling foods as “good” or “bad.” All foods have a place in your diet when you focus on balance rather than bans.

2. Hydrate Like It’s a Full-Time Job

Your body’s not being dramatic when you’re thirsty; it’s literally begging for water. Dehydration affects everything from your energy levels to your mood (hello, cranky).

How much water should you drink?

That actually depends on a few factors, like your age, weight, and activity level. A general rule of thumb is to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day. So if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for 75 ounces of water daily.

The easiest way to gauge your hydration level is to pay attention to the color of your urine. If it’s light yellow or clear, you’re doing good. But if it starts looking like apple juice, chug some H2O ASAP!

3. Make Being Physically Active Enjoyable

Here’s a hot take for you: Exercise should not feel like punishment for what you ate. In fact, exercise has very little to do with what diet culture has taught us about burning calories. But being physically active is absolutely crucial for your overall health.

• Want a strong heart so you can keep up with your kids (or grandkids) without being winded? Exercise.

• Want to keep your bones strong so you can stay active for years to come? Exercise.

• Want to move without feeling stiff or off balance and ease those nagging aches and pains? Exercise.

• Want to get sick less often and bounce back faster? Exercise.

• Want to avoid bloating and keep your digestion on track? Exercise.

• Want a lower risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other scary health problems? Exercise.

• Want to fall asleep faster, wake up feeling refreshed and have more energy so you don’t crash mid-afternoon? Exercise.

• Want to quiet your racing thoughts, ease anxiety, reduce brain fog, feel calmer, and more in control? Exercise.

• Want to stay independent, active, and full of life as you age? You know what to do - exercise.

While making time for physical activity can be challenging, you don’t need to live at the gym to see results - I promise.

Most adults need to aim for 150 minutes of moderate movement a week (yep, just over 20 minutes a day), with two of those days focused on strength training. Sounds doable, right?

But hey, the world is on fire sometimes (cue frantic gestures). Studies show even doing half of that can deliver serious health perks. Every single minute contributes to better health, so don’t sweat it too much (well, maybe a little).

What counts as moderate movement?

Anything that gets your heart pumping - walking the dog, watching Netflix on your Peloton, dancing around your room like nobody’s watching… it all adds up.

To know that you are in the moderate zone, just check your breathing. You should be able to hold a conversation or sing a few lines from Taylor’s last album, but feel slightly winded.

Remember, exercise should be enjoyable, not a chore. Find activities that you genuinely enjoy doing and incorporate them into your routine.

4. Stop Stressing About Healthy Weight

I’m going to hold your hand and look you in the eye when I say this - weight is JUST a number.

Weight is NOT the sole measure of your health.

Scientific research shows that factors like genetics, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, mental health, and access to healthcare all play a significant role in overall well-being - independently from weight.

It’s been well-documented that individuals can pursue health behaviors, such as eating a well balanced diet and staying active, without focusing on weight loss as the primary goal.

Studies also suggest that weight-focused interventions can lead to harmful outcomes like weight cycling, increased stress, and a negative relationship with food and body image.

Yes, eating or drinking more calories than you need will lead to weight gain. AND not eating enough increases several health risks. It is important to understand that both are true here.

By focusing on sustainable, health-promoting habits rather than weight as a marker of success, not only makes for a more inclusive and holistic approach to becoming healthier but increases your chance of a positive outcome.

5. Know Your Health Risks

Want to take control of your health? Start by learning about your family history, tracking your blood pressure, and understanding your cholesterol levels.

Yeah, I know - it doesn’t sound thrilling, but stick with me here. Knowing your health risks gives you the power to make smarter choices.

Lifestyle habits like regular exercise and adequate sleep can significantly reduce the risk of serious health conditions.

If conditions like heart disease or diabetes run in your family, spotting the onset of these conditions can completely change their outcome. You can tweak your diet, get moving more often (yes, even a 20-minute walk counts), and stay up to date on routine check-ups. It’s all about catching issues before they become full-blown problems.

Think of it this way: knowing your risks isn’t about worrying - it’s about planning. You and your doctor can team up to create a personalized plan to keep you feeling good and living your best life for years to come.

Your mental health counts too. If something feels off, don’t ignore it or downplay it. Just like your heart or lungs, your brain is an organ that needs care and attention. Therapy, stress management techniques, and self-care aren’t luxuries - they’re essentials for maintaining your overall health.

Take Action With Serious Health Conditions

Got a chronic condition? You’re definitely not alone. Millions of people live with chronic conditions, and the good news is, managing yours can make a huge difference. Not only can you delay its progression with the right steps, but in some cases, you might even be able to reverse it entirely.

Yes, you read that right - there is real potential to take back control, improve your quality of life, and feel stronger than ever. Along with regular check-ups so your healthcare provider can monitor your condition and guide you properly, lifestyle changes can make a real difference.

For instance, adopting a balanced, nutritious diet (Tip 1) can have an incredible impact on chronic conditions. Whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats give you energy and help reduce inflammation, which is often a key factor in chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

Pair healthier eating with regular exercise (Tip 3), and you’re setting yourself up for success to improve hypertension, balance blood sugar, strengthen your heart, and boost your mood.

Managing or reversing a chronic condition is a journey, but it’s one that can make you feel stronger, healthier, and more empowered.

7. Prioritize Sleep Like It’s Your Side Hustle

Sleep isn’t a luxury - it’s a biological freaking need. Adults should aim for 7–9 hours every night. Prioritizing sleep is a crucial healthy habit that significantly impacts overall well-being and daily energy levels.

Consistently skimping on it? Yeah, it’s not just about feeling groggy or needing that third cup of coffee. Poor sleep can mess with your health big time. We’re talking serious stuff like high blood pressure, diabetes, and even heart disease. Yikes.

When you don’t get enough sleep, it throws everything out of whack. Hormones get out of sync, your immune system struggles, and your heart? Not happy about it. Long-term, this can set you up for higher stress, brain fog, and chronic illnesses you definitely don’t want to deal with.

The takeaway? Sleep isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a non-negotiable. So, do yourself a favor - prioritize those Z’s.

Quick tips to improve your sleep hygiene:

• Stick to a regular schedule (yes, even on weekends).

• Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed.

• Create a wind-down ritual to cue your brain that it's time to shut down.

Remember, you don’t win any awards for being the most tired.

8. Take Stress Management Seriously

Stress happens. But chronic stress? That shit’s a health hazard.

Stress can seriously mess with your body - it’s not just in your head. Ever notice how you seem to catch every cold going around when life gets overwhelming? That’s because stress can weaken your immune system, leaving you wide open to illnesses.

And it's not just your immune system taking a hit - your heart feels the strain too. Prolonged stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other not-so-fun cardiovascular problems.

There is a whole ripple effect aside from the obvious hit to your mental health: digestion issues, poor sleep, and constant fatigue to name a few.

The good news? You’re not powerless against it. Recognizing how stress impacts you is the first step to taking control. A little effort in managing stress can go a long way toward keeping your body and mind in balance.

The evidence-based ways to combat stress include creating pockets of joy in your day and exercising. But if you just need to get through the day, you can try meditating, deep breathing, screaming into a pillow (hey, I won’t judge). Whatever helps you cope - OWN it - just don’t ignore the stress monster.

9. Build Mindful Habits (and Keep Them!)

Life moves fast, doesn’t it? But hitting pause and being present - even for a few moments - can do wonders.

Mindfulness isn’t just about sitting cross-legged on a cushion, staring at a candle. It’s about paying attention to what’s happening around you (and in you) while you go about your day.

And guess what? That small shift can seriously improve your wellbeing. On the health front, mindfulness is like a secret weapon. It’s been shown to help with better sleep, lower blood pressure, and even give your immune system a boost. We’re also talking less stress, more emotional balance, and a clearer head when life throws curveballs.

Cool, right? Plus, it nudges you toward healthier habits. Think mindful eating that helps your digestion and nutrition or mindful movement that actually makes working out something you look forward to (instead of dread).

And let’s talk about habits for a second. Mindfulness is key here. It helps you step off autopilot, notice your routines, and hit the brakes on bad habits before they take over.

Instead of reacting impulsively, you get this tiny pause to decide what you really want to do. Over time, those little pauses build up into positive habits that stick - and they align with the life you actually want.

So, by adding mindfulness to your day - even in the smallest ways - you’ll start to feel calmer, more focused, and honestly, just happier. It’s like building a long-term foundation for a healthier, more balanced life.

A lot of my clients think they need more willpower, discipline, fancy habit trackers, or even extra hours in the day to make real health changes. But the real transformation happens when they just pause and approach each moment with a little more awareness. Suddenly, everything feels easier, and making progress doesn’t seem so out of reach anymore.

10. Keep Track of What Matters

Building healthy habits isn’t something that happens overnight - it takes work, consistency, and a little trial and error. The trick? Find what works for you and stick with it. Habits thrive when they align with your goals and values, and when you can actually see the progress you’re making. That’s where tracking comes in.

Let’s say you start journaling. Not only does it help you notice patterns in your energy levels and emotions, but it gives you an opportunity to practice self-awareness which can have a ripple effect on your other health behaviors (Tip 9).

Or maybe tracking what you eat helps you realize you're really not getting enough fiber in on most days, so you know where to put your attention while planning out next week's grocery list.

The golden rule here? Personalize it. What works for your best friend or that influencer on Instagram might not click for you - and that’s okay.

Behavioral science says habits stick when they’re tailored to your unique goals and lifestyle. So think of it like building your own “health toolkit.” Test things out, tweak them, and adapt as you go. That’s how you turn small changes into habits that actually last - and make a meaningful difference in your life.

Becoming Your Healthiest Self

Look, no one’s perfect 100% of the time, and no one is supposed to be. Making healthy choices can feel hard and we might want to brush it off because we are busy with other things. But long-term health is about stacking small, intentional habits that evolve with you.

Don’t overthink it - just start with ONE change and build from there. Your healthiest self? She’s closer than you think.