25 Unique Healthy Habits I Wish I Knew at 25

Summary

In this insightful video, the speaker reflects on healthy habits they wish they had adopted earlier in life. They cover a range of topics from the importance of buying frozen berries for their nutritional value, to not fearing salt intake for athletes, and the significance of using full-body sunscreen daily. The script emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to fitness, the importance of proper sleep, and the mental health benefits of dancing. It also touches on financial health, the influence of one's environment on habits, and the mindset shift required to embrace aging as a gift. The video serves as a motivational guide for self-improvement and healthy living.

Takeaways

• 🍓 Buy frozen berries for a cheap source of fibers, vitamins, and antioxidants.
• 🧂 Don't fear salt intake, especially for athletes, as it helps maintain electrolyte balance and can prevent cramps and fatigue.
• 🧴 Use a hydrating full-body sunscreen daily to protect the skin from damage and redness.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Follow a diverse range of fitness influencers to avoid getting stuck in a niche and to promote a well-rounded fitness approach.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Prioritize proper lifting form before increasing weights to prevent injuries and ineffective workouts.
• 💤 Recognize sleep as a crucial component of health, and adjust workout times if they interfere with sleep quality.
• 🧘‍♀️ Improve flexibility and mobility as they contribute to better athletic performance and reduce pain.
• 🕰️ Understand that workouts don't have to be long; even short sessions can be beneficial.
• 🧖‍♀️ Practice double cleansing for skin health to effectively remove makeup and impurities, reducing blackheads and improving skin quality.
• 🚫 Realize that being inflexible isn't a sign of strength; it may indicate areas that need attention and stretching.
• 🍽️ Learn about proper nutrition and how to fuel your body correctly, rather than following fad diets or relying solely on others' advice.
• 👟 Replace running shoes at least once a year to prevent injuries and maintain good physical health.
• 🌅 Start the day with a walk outside to improve mental clarity and establish a positive morning routine.
• 🖥️ Take regular breaks from screens to reduce eye strain and maintain good vision health.
• 💃 Use dancing as a form of cardio and a mood booster for mental health benefits.
• 🏦 Focus on financial health as a part of overall well-being, learning about taxes, mutual funds, and budgeting.
• 👯‍♀️ Build a supportive community to share fitness goals and create a 'third place' outside of work and home for social interaction.
• ☕️ Don't stress over small calorie intakes, like coffee creamer, as they are part of a balanced diet and won't significantly impact weight.
• 🏃‍♀️ Remember that exercise is for fueling the body, not as punishment for eating, and focus on enjoying physical activity.
• 't️⃣ Recognize that the bump on the back of the arms is Keratosis Pilaris (KP), not pimples, and can be treated with exfoliation and moisturizing.
• 🌟 Embrace aging as a gift and each year as a success, rather than focusing on the negative aspects of getting older.
• 🔑 Understand that your environment significantly influences your habits, and make adjustments to support a healthier lifestyle.

Q & A

What is the first healthy habit mentioned in the script that someone should start after college?

The first habit is to buy frozen berries as an affordable way to get fibers, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Why does the speaker suggest not fearing salt in the context of a healthy diet?

The speaker suggests not fearing salt because it's essential for athletes or those who sweat a lot, as it helps replace lost electrolytes and can prevent cramps and energy loss due to insufficient sodium in the diet.

What is the significance of using a hydrating full-body sunscreen daily as mentioned in the script?

Using a hydrating full-body sunscreen daily is important for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays, preventing redness, and maintaining healthy skin, which the speaker regrets not starting earlier.

What is the recommendation for following a diverse range of fitness influencers according to the script?

The recommendation is to follow a wide range of fitness influencers including experts with degrees, local professionals, and people with similar lifestyles but 5 to 10 years ahead to diversify perspectives and avoid getting stuck in a niche echo chamber.

Why is proper lifting form emphasized before increasing weights in the script?

Proper lifting form is emphasized to prevent injuries and ineffective exercises. The speaker mentions that not focusing on form early on led to wasted time and the need to start over to correct muscle engagement and mobility issues.

What is the speaker's advice regarding sleep and its impact on fitness and overall health?

The speaker advises recognizing sleep as the best legal cognitive and performance-enhancing substance, and suggests considering morning workouts to help regulate sleep patterns and prevent post-workout adrenaline from disrupting sleep.

Why does the speaker discourage the belief that being inflexible is a sign of strength?

The speaker discourages this belief because increased flexibility and mobility can lead to better athletic performance and reduced back pain, and it's important not to mistake tightness for strength.

What is the speaker's view on the duration of a workout and how it should be approached?

The speaker believes that a workout doesn't have to be an hour long. It can be as short as 10 minutes and still be beneficial. The focus should be on consistency and fitting workouts into one's schedule effectively.

What skincare habit does the speaker recommend for better skin health?

The speaker recommends double cleansing as a skincare habit for better skin health, which involves using a makeup remover followed by a cleanser to ensure all makeup and dirt are removed thoroughly.

What is the speaker's perspective on diets and how should one approach their nutrition?

The speaker advises against being defined by a diet and instead encourages educating oneself on nutrition, understanding what the body needs, and learning about the role of different nutrients like carbs, proteins, fats, and fibers in the diet.

Why is having a community important according to the speaker's experience?

Having a community is important because it can help alleviate feelings of isolation and provide a support network. The speaker found her best friends and a sense of belonging through her involvement in fitness communities.

What is the significance of starting the day with a walk outside as mentioned in the script?

Starting the day with a walk outside can change one's life by providing time for self-reflection, clearing the mind, and fostering creativity. It also has physical health benefits, making it a good habit to develop.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the use of screens and eye health?

The speaker advises taking breaks from staring at screens to prevent eye strain and potential vision problems. They recommend the 20-20-20 rule, which involves looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Why does the speaker suggest not getting breast implants based on their personal experience?

The speaker suggests not getting breast implants because they found them to be annoying and uncomfortable, especially during physical activities like push-ups. They also mention the importance of not following trends when it comes to body modifications.

What financial habits does the speaker recommend developing early on?

The speaker recommends putting away a percentage of each paycheck for taxes, learning about mutual funds and compound interest, and creating a basic budget as essential financial habits to develop early on.

What mental health benefits does dancing have according to the script?

Dancing is described as a great form of cardio and a powerful tool for mental health, capable of improving mood and reducing stress by releasing endorphins, even more so than medication in some cases.

How does the speaker differentiate between anxiety, depression, and happiness?

The speaker differentiates by stating that anxiety is the fear of the future, depression is the regret of the past, and happiness is being in the present moment, suggesting the importance of mindfulness.

What is the speaker's view on aging and how should one perceive getting older?

The speaker views aging as a gift and believes that getting older should be seen as a success, not a failure. They encourage reframing the mindset towards appreciating each year lived as a year to enjoy.

How does the environment play a role in shaping habits according to the script?

The environment is said to dictate habits significantly. By changing one's environment, such as decluttering or surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals, it becomes easier to adopt and maintain good habits.

What is the final message the speaker conveys about the perception of aging and societal pressures?

The final message is to challenge societal pressures and the negative perception of aging. The speaker encourages embracing each year as a gift and not being disheartened by the number of birthdays, promoting a positive attitude towards life's journey.