There’s no doubt that the pandemic has taken a toll over our lives, but that does not mean that we stop living our lives to the fullest. Don’t constrain yourself to the disasters of 2020/2021, think big, open your mind to hope & stand stronger for 2022.

2022 is the perfect time to make a commitment to getting healthy, physically and mentally. Instead of making a bunch of overenthusiastic new year resolutions (that we end up feeling bad about it later), seize the opportunity to revamp your lifestyle to be healthier all year round. Even small changes can lead to a refreshing change over time.

But not sure how to start? Don’t worry, we have you covered. Here are some habits to inculcate in 2022 to make it your best and healthiest year!

1. Focus on self-care

Motivating yourself to be productive every day requires you to care for yourself first. It’s not limited to just how you look but also how you feel. Focus on your mental well-being as much as your physical well-being.

2. Drink at least three litres of water every day

Hydration is extremely important at all times! Make it a point to drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water daily—your body will thank you!

3. Make time for exercise

Exercising for a specific amount of time every day will keep those unwanted calories at bay. You can incorporate this habit in your morning routine or evening routine, according to your schedule. 

4. Limit your alcohol intake

You may think a drink or two at social events does no harm to your body but the truth is, eventually it all adds up when your health goes south. So, try to limit your alcohol intake as much as possible and opt for a tangy lemonade instead! 

5. QUIT smoking

Before you cringe yet again at the anti-tobacco ads shown at the movie theatres, make it a point to cringe at tobacco instead! Your lungs will be forever grateful to you! 

6. Sleep at least for eight hours

Your body needs at least eight hours of sleep to regain its strength after being active for the whole day. Regardless of how busy your schedule is, make sure you catch good sleep at night. 

7. Take a break and travel 

Someone wise once said, ‘If we were meant to stay at one place, we would have roots instead of feet!’ Travelling is a beautiful therapy that gives you a much-needed break from your hectic life. So, whenever possible, go for a short or long trip (keeping COVID safety guidelines in mind).

8. Wash your hands frequently

Make sure 2022 is the year you practise regular personal hygiene. Keep in mind that washing hands frequently is one of the biggest steps you can take toward staying healthy and reducing the spread of COVID-19 infection. It can also prevent the spread of other viral illnesses.

9. Don’t be ‘too busy’

Amid your busy schedules, don’t forget those who are dear to you. Be it your parents, other family members, or friends—keeping in touch is extremely imperative.

10. Don’t ignore your health-related symptoms

Be it a minor rash or headaches—never ignore the signs your body gives because there could be something underlying. Get timely health checks done since only an early diagnosis can be the key to better treatment. This 2022 be proactive about your health rather than being reactive.

11. Respect the environment

We owe a lot to our environment for whatever it has given us and still does. Do your share of conserving it by saying no to single-use plastic, planting more trees, and every little thing you can. 

12. Reduce your screen time

Netflix or your smartphone—try to limit your screen time as it can meddle with your sleep patterns and brain functions, causing mood swings and insomnia. 

13. Don’t let social media fool you

Everything that looks hunky-dory on social media may not be the same in real life. Try to demarcate between one’s highlight reels and reality and let go of ‘social media validation’ for everything you do in life. 

14. Eat your greens

Junk food once in a while is okay but your daily diet should essentially comprise a bevy of green veggies and fruits. This will boost not just your heart health but also improve other organ functions. 

15. Ditch the sedentary lifestyle

Be it at home or your workplace desk—avoid sitting for long hours and stand or walk whenever possible. A sedentary lifestyle is closely linked to increased risks of cardiovascular diseases as well as obesity.

16. Learn new things

Explore those fields which you never knew about. or how about learning a new language, exploring pottery, freestyle dance, gymnastics, reading your favourite authors again, time for video games, painting or sketching. Try to learn more and grow as an individual. Don’t stop yourself from what you know already, but put yourself in challenging situations.

17. Stop overthinking

Stress can wait! Don’t spoil your present by stressing too much on the future and take one day at a time. 

18. Give yourself time to heal

Be it a breakup or postpartum depression or simply a bad decision—give your mind and body time to heal. You mustn’t push yourself too much; after all, Rome wasn’t built in one day!

19. Keep your company positive

The kind of company we keep matters a lot since their thoughts and energies often reflect on how we begin to perceive things. Hence, it is crucial that you stay away from people with negative thoughts as much as possible and let only positivity be contagious. 

20. Practise mindfulness

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present at the moment and is seeing positive results in their daily lifestyles, like reduced stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Try incorporating this technique into your lifestyle this year.

21. Relax!

It’s 2022! A new year! But that doesn’t mean everything has to start on the go, right now. Every day is a new day, so cut yourself some slack, as it’s absolutely okay to start slow and build up the pace as the days pass by. 

Last but not least

2021 was yet another difficult year, thus we must not forget how the pandemic & the ways in which it has affected our lives have led us to realise that true wealth is in fact, deeply embedded in good health. At MFine, this simple truth has resoundingly grabbed the attention of doctors, lab technicians and care representatives over the past few months, especially when the country grapples with COVID-19 and its unhealthy repercussions. 

With 3500+ experienced doctors from 30+ specialities, MFine is a bridge that helps anyone access the best, cost-effective care for themselves and their families- be it online consultations, at-home lab tests, doorstep medicine delivery or booking radiological tests. Since March 2020, MFine has seen a rapid rise in consultations from the various metro and non-metro cities, with 3x growth in speciality and super speciality consultations. 

As we cross over to the next year, we may not be able to leave COVID-19 completely behind, but we could take better care of our health, while not having to step out to do so. 

Take a pledge to make 2022 the best year of your life. Come what may never let your health and wellness take a backseat..