Living a healthy life isn’t so much about your weight as it is about forming habits that contribute positively to your physical and mental well-being. If you’re struggling to develop a healthier lifestyle for yourself, here are a few important tips to help you out.

Drink More Water

Drinking enough water throughout the day is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In most cases, you should aim to be drinking about 64 fluid ounces of water every day. Fortunately, reusable water bottles make that easy. If you purchase a 32 oz. water bottle and drink two bottles’ worth every day, you’ll be getting an adequate amount of water. It’s also worth considering what’s in the water you’re drinking. While underground tanks can last 20 years or more, it’s possible that hard mineral deposits and other materials are making their way into your water supply. To be safe, it’s smart to invest in a water filter for your home. At the very least, a filter for the faucet you use to get drinking water should be a consideration for you. Once you’re drinking enough water and making sure the water you drink is clean, you’ll likely start to notice an improvement in your energy, skin, and hunger levels. Your body also functions better when it’s properly hydrated.

Make Movement a Priority

Exercise can sound a little bit daunting at first, but the truth is that movement in almost any form is better than none at all. If you’re nervous about trying more traditional forms of exercise, consider taking up dance classes, going for walks around your neighborhood, or even taking up a low-impact hobby like yoga or pilates. The key is to make time for movement every day, in whatever way feels best for you. Not only can this help increase your energy levels and muscle strength, but cardiovascular activity can help reduce the risk of developing heart failure later in life. Considering that almost 20% of Americans will develop heart failure within their lifetime, making your heart health a priority while you’re young is paramount. Once you’re comfortable getting yourself moving every day, you can branch out and explore more intense or different forms of exercise that you’ve been wanting to try. Movement really is the gateway to a whole world of health possibilities.

Don’t Forget About Oral Health

Oral health is an important part of your physical well-being. Brushing your teeth twice daily is one of the simplest things you can do to ensure your mouth stays as healthy as possible. In addition, it’s important to make sure you keep up with regular dental appointments. Not only are regular cleanings important, but these appointments can alert you to oral health issues like cavities. It may even turn out that your bite or tooth alignment is interfering with your oral health. When an estimated 20% of the population doesn’t have an ideal bite, it’s certainly a possibility that orthodontic treatment will be necessary. When teeth aren’t properly aligned, it can be easier for bacteria to grow and cause oral health problems. And when there’s an issue with your oral health, it’s important to have it treated immediately.

Living a healthy lifestyle encompasses so many different factors. Oral health, hydration, and exercise are just a few of them. If you’re ready to get started on your journey to healthy living, remember to use these tips.