Living a healthier lifestyle is something that most of us always aspire to do, but often a busy and hectic daily schedule can get in the way of it. 

Miserable weather, stressful jobs, family commitments and much more can lead to poorer lifestyle choices that will not benefit our health. 

However, living a healthier lifestyle does not always require a huge overhaul, and can actually be done by implementing a few small changes into your routine. 

Although not only going to have an overnight impact, these 10 tips should see a big difference in your wellbeing in the long run. 

1. GET ENOUGH SLEEP

For those of us with families, busy jobs and long commutes, it can often be a struggle to get enough sleep each night. 

Sitting up too late glued to screens can also be a reason we don't get enough rest, so it is important to allocate yourself a reasonable hour to go to bed if possible. 

Try and ditch your TV or phone around half an hour before you go to sleep, to give your brain enough time to switch off. 

It's recommended that you aim for at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, and over time you'll notice a huge difference in your energy levels, as you're giving your body time to repair and recharge. 

2. DRINK ENOUGH WATER 

It might seem obvious, but a huge proportion of people fail to drink anywhere near enough water every day. 

The NHS recommends you should be having between six and eight glasses of water per day (around two litres.)

Although it's fine to enjoy other beverages like tea, coffee and juice throughout the day, these should not be substitutes for your 6-8 glasses of water. 

Keeping yourself hydrated will again boost your energy levels, as well as helping regulate your body temperature and aiding your joints. 

3. CUT DOWN ON ALCOHOL

If you currently drink, cutting down on your alcohol intake will have benefits both in the short and long term, and will definitely improve your healthy lifestyle. 

Although fine in moderation, it's not a secret that repeated or excessive drinking can have an impact on your future health. 

Reducing the number of times you drink each week, or consume in one evening, can see improvements in your blood pressure, weight, liver function and even your immune system. 

4. STOP SMOKING

It can be extremely difficult to give up a smoking habit, but the decision will give both instant and long-term benefits for your health. 

If you have struggled to quit entirely, even cutting down on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day is likely to see an improvement in your wellbeing and fitness levels. 

There are also a wide range of support systems and nicotine alternatives to help you kick the habit, including everything from e-cigarettes to gum and patches.

5. WASH YOUR HANDS 

A simple but very important piece of advice is to wash your hands regularly before eating, after being in the bathroom and handling waste. 

Essential for a healthy lifestyle, keeping your hands clean avoids the spread of germs and infection, so good personal hygiene is something you should always be mindful of. 

6. GET OUTSIDE

It might seem like an effort at first, but getting outside for even half an hour of fresh air will allow your physical and mental wellbeing to improve. 

Fresh air is great for relieving your stress levels, and if you can catch some rays of sunshine, the vitamin D is also essential for your immune system and mood. 

7. UNWIND & DE-STRESS

As well as improving your physical lifestyle, setting aside time to switch off is very important for your overall wellbeing. 

This could be anything that you enjoy, whether it's going for a walk, cooking, listening to music or spending time with your loved ones. 

Allocating time to what you love will give you the boost you need to take on all of the other challenges in your day. 

8. LIMIT UNHEALTHY FOODS 

Cutting back on rich and indulgent foods will also encourage a healthier lifestyle. Everything is fine in moderation, or occasionally, but foods that are high in salt and saturated fats should be limited. 

Instead, you should make sure you are getting enough protein and fibre, so you are filling your body with what it needs to function well. 

9. WATCH YOUR WEIGHT

Although your weight does not always determine your exact state of health, it's important to monitor and keep track of it. 

Sudden losses or gains in weight can be indicators of a number of things, so it's good practice to be aware of it. 

10. BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

You don't have to spend three hours at the gym every day but try and incorporate more physical activity into your routine. 

For example, take the stairs instead of the lift at your office, try and move around more, and look into exercise options that suit what you enjoy. 

There are so many different classes, activities and sports you can try to get your heart rate up, and you might actually enjoy them too. 

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