6 Habits to Take into 2016

An exercise psychologist once told me that a habit takes 7 weeks to build. I don't know if this is true but I try to live by that principle. It's worked so far. It may just be a placebo effect or 7 weeks may be the perfect amount of time to lodge a repetitive habit in your mind. Either way it's good. I would recommend adding these 6 things into your list of habits. Good things that will improve your daily life for many years to come. 

1. Batch Cook

I know it may seem inconvenient but try it. Use Sunday evening to set up your week. You'll only need 2 hours unless you really want to add variety to your meal but it will save you so much time for the rest of your potentially hectic week. You can also rely on your meals being much healthier.

2. Set your Day Up the Night Before

When I wake up, my coffee mug is on the counter waiting for me. My bowl and tub of oats will sit on the table whilst berries and almond milk stay situated in the fridge. Since doing this life has felt easier, I've never missed breakfast and I always feel fresh for the day.

3. Add the Turkish Get Up into your Training

It's a fantastic exercise that is heavily underrated. No it will not give you the same burn that a set of squats will and no it is not the best exercise to build explosive arm muscles. It is a brilliant drill for improving shoulder stabilisation. This is crucial for upping your bench press. The Turkish Get Up trains the shoulder in regards to the transverse plane. Very few exercises do this. 

4. Buy a Gym Ball

It's not the sitting down that wrecks people's body. It's the lack of movement. Office workers become subject to tight hip flexors, weak gluteus muscles and poor thoracic spine mobility. By sitting on a gym ball you will find that your level of movement will increase, your mid section will need to be more active and your metabolism will take a boost. Just simply replace your chair. 

5. Take Vitamin D3

Unless you live in an amazing climate with a blazing sun in the sky all year round, you cannot promise your body the nutritional nourishment it requires with food and sunlight alone. D3 is an effective calcium regulator. Therefore it is essential for bone growth and muscular contraction.

6. Switch Off your TV an Hour Before you Sleep

Use this time to sharpen your mind with reading or to practice meditation. You may wish to do what I do and prepare your meals for the next day. The light from your TV has been proven to lower sleep levels. You may still sleep well after watching TV but is it good quality sleep? Is it deep REM sleep that last longer than 7 hours? I doubt it.