Best Habits for a Healthy, Happy Life from the Jungle Red Writers

Beautiful Tonka

LUCY BURDETTE: This week, I came across an interesting article about the 25 habits you need in life in order to succeed and be happy. It’s a great list including eating breakfast, exercising every day, journaling, taking vitamins, setting goals. I don’t agree with every single one of them, and looking at the list as a whole can seem overwhelming. But it got me thinking about what habits we at Jungle Red Writers feel are most important…

I’d put on my list: walking or biking most days with some strength training thrown in twice a week, eating lots of fruit and vegetables but then treats in moderation (actually, everything in moderation!,) spending time with people and animals whom you love, reading every night, and writing 1000 words a day, five days a week (if only.) Phew!

How about you Reds, off the top of your heads, what habits are most important to cultivate?

Hank and Jonathan in Paris

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  I love that you said off the top of our heads, because that'll be most revealing. 
  Walking. Eating less. Being kind and supportive. Writing my words. Taking time to think.  Really focusing on Jonathan. (You can pick your own person to focus on...) Being aware of the world. Looking at the sky and your garden (whatever it is) every day. Not forgetting to enjoy things.
 I just interviewed a doctor who says there are only three absolute things you need to do to be healthy: Eat less. Exercise more. Don't smoke. 
And sure, goals.  But I do not take vitamins. :-) 

RHYS BOWEN:  Lucy, I love your list. Agree with all of it. John and I walk every evening. His family motto is inter utrumque tene which means steer a middle course. I try to do that. Don't eat too much, don't drink too much. Love fruits. Love salads. Love spending time with my family. Work to keep up with friends. Laugh every day. Take time for a cat nap. Enjoy nature. Be
grateful. Give back...

HALLIE EPHRON: Hold the vitamins -- just eat well.

Lucy with Jerry and Hallie

#1 for me is being kind. I try to make it a habit, when my first inclination is often to sound smart instead. To my husband in particular who is a lovely human being whom I sometimes think I do not deserve. 
#2 Keep moving; try to do some kind of real exercise at least 3 times a week and walk every day. 
#3 Write, yes, my goal is 500 words a day. 
#4 Stop eating when I'm full, nap when I need to. 
#5 Tell my children how much I love them.

DEBORAH CROMBIE:You all have great lists, but I'm laughing about the "no vitamins." I've taken vitamins since I was a teenager, so probably shouldn't stop now...

Being kind is way up on my list these days, not only to family and friends, but making an extra effort to treat everyone with courtesy and respect. 
Eat less. 
Walk more. 
Enjoy my family
Enjoy my friends.
Enjoy my animals.
Enjoy nature. 
NAP. (For me this makes a huge difference in being happy AND productive.)
Read every day.
Oh, and the biggie. WRITE every day.

Red readers, what would you put on your lists?