This Is Exactly What a Healthy Day Looks Like, Says a Dietitian

There's certainly no shortage of health and well-being advice about the best diets and workouts to try, but it can be difficult to distill that information into an actionable routine. If one of your goals for 2018 is to lead a healthier, more balanced lifestyle but you're unsure where to start, take a cue from dietitian and nutritionist Lyndi Cohen. The leading Australian health expert has penned a simple, 24-hour guide that shows exactly what a healthy day consists of.

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Instead of focusing on big-picture health resolutions, Cohen's routine is packed with quick and easy-to-follow steps. "Rather than make unrealistic goals that you won't be able to reach, here's a totally doable run down of your perfect healthy day, when you have to fit it in with your 'real-life' obligations… like, you know, holding down a job," she writes for Body+Soul.

Start small with these steps for a perfectly balanced, healthy morning, and head to Body+Soul for the full guide:

6 a.m.: Wake up to an alarm clock, not your phone. "Charge your phone in another room so you don't wake up with the anxiety of notifications or social media," she recommends.

6:20 a.m.: Head to your local park and fit in 30 minutes of outdoor exercise. "Exercising outdoors is a great way to get vitamin D (needed for a good mood and bones) and like J.Lo's love—it don't cost a thing."

7:35 a.m: Whip up a balanced breakfast and drink about 20 ounces of water. "I love a couple of eggs with chopped tomatoes and asparagus or a slice of grainy bread with 1/4 avocado on toast," she says. "Variety is healthy so keep mixing it up."

8:05 a.m.: Quit scrolling on Instagram during your morning commute, and put the time to good use with a podcast. "Fit in a 10-minute guided meditation, if you like, using an app like Headspace."

10 a.m.: "When you feel hungry, step away from your desk, make a cup of tea and eat your piece of fruit away from your desk," she recommends. "Refill your water bottle."

10:15 a.m.: Invest in a standing desk, if possible, and aim to walk over to a colleague's desk to talk rather than email. Stay focused and power on until lunch.