Living a healthy lifestyle means more than just focusing on your physical body. Positive thoughts, meaningful relationships and having a purpose are crucial for living a happy, healthy life. The key to doing this successfully comes down to building healthy daily practices—both physically and mentally. And this holds especially true for men, who often times don’t prioritize their daily routines. From a healthy diet to men’s skincare, here are a few changes that you can easily make in your lifestyle to live a happy and healthy life:

• Focus on gut-friendly foods - You are what you eat! If you want to live a healthy lifestyle and be happy mentally, stop binging on unhealthy, processed food. The gut and inflammation are both directly linked to our brain and mood). Choose foods that decrease inflammation and promote gut health, like green vegetables, yogurt, kimchi and kombucha.
• Outdoor movement - We know taking time out from your crazy work schedules is not easy. But exercise is essential and it’s been scientifically proven that outdoor movement decreases cortisol levels and increases dopamine and serotonin), the feel-good hormones. Since men are at a higher risk of heart disease, working out regularly has shown to decrease chances and aids in an overall healthy lifestyle. That’s not all. Exercise is not just good for your body; it can also help improve and maintain your mental health.
• Build a routine - Routines have been scientifically-proven to promote overall health and wellness). While the same schedule all day may not be possible for everyone, but having the same morning or evening routine (or both) is a small and practical way to begin living a healthy lifestyle. Start small—maybe try doing a 2–5-minute men’s skincare routine, which is easy to do. Men’s skin is also often neglected. If you don't take proper care of your skin, it can lead to skin issues like acne, dark circles and skin cancer. A simple morning routine with moisturizers and sunblock solves the issue of protecting your skin and slowing down ageing, while also promoting a routine. If you don’t know where to start, follow these simple steps:
• Cleanse: If you want healthy-looking, the first step is to cleanse skin twice a day with a gentle cleanser
• Detox: Pollution, sun exposure and excessive stress can wreak havoc on your skin. This is why a detoxifying mask is a men’s skincare essential. It can slough off the impurities and dead skin cells and unclog your pores, giving you clear and healthy skin (try: Velvet: 08 Broadway Bright Detox Mask).
• Moisturize: This is one of the most important products in any men’s skincare routine. A good moisturizer will transform your dull and dry skin; and leave it looking hydrated and plump. (You can try Amrutini Precious Potion Vital Cream).

• Unplug and de-stress - Do you often feel anxious or overwhelmed? Excessive stress could be the reason. To tackle this and promote a healthy lifestyle, it is important to unplug and spend time with yourself. Try to spend at least an hour away from your electronic devices. Instead, take time to reflect. Spend time doing things that you love, or try new hobbies. Strolling on dewy grass early morning is another great way to de-stress. Try meditating or grounding (the practice of walking or standing on the ground) first thing in the morning. Research has shown that meditation and grounding may calm the nervous system, decrease pain and improve overall mood.

Leading a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated. Smaller, everyday habits and practices have been shown to be linked to long-term health, and this is especially true for men. You don’t have to work out for two hours and cut carbohydrates completely. Besides our health being more than just physical, focusing on our mind and body daily for just a few minutes is the key to living a long, healthy and happy life.