Top Five Lifestyle Habits You Need to Practice Everyday

If you’re like me, your calendar is already filling up with meetings, practice schedules, and social activities. However, in the midst of your family planning you must keep your schedule in check, especially with a hectic lifestyle. You make sure your kids practice some daily habits like brushing their teeth and reading before bedtime right? Now you have some habits to master too! Practice these five habits daily to improve your overall health and get a jumpstart to a healthier fall season.

1- Increase your sleep by 30 minutes each night. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep. According to Harvard's Women's Health Watch, a lack of sleep can aid in weight gain as a result of the body being less capable of breaking down carbohydrates and also a change in our hormone levels.

2- Alternate coffee drinking days with green tea (minus the sugar!). Green tea can help prevent free radical damage and increase antioxidant intake, according to a study by the National Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry.

3- Lift weights two to three times per week and add a variety of high and moderate intensity cardio training to your week. Mixing up your workout will keep your body confused and will help you to stay in shape.

4- Drink at least eight to 10 cups of water everyday. Avoid soda especially diet sodas! According to the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute drinking water aids in weight loss, not even taking into consideration diet and exercise. So drink up, ladies!

5- Stretch daily to prevent injury, feel better, and manage stress. Have quiet time each morning to plan your day and have some downtime before your schedule starts. In some cases, yoga is even prescribed to care for certain mild mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

It takes discipline to make your health a priority so make each day count by practicing a healthy daily habit. By the time school starts, you and your kids will be on track to have a successful year!