Have you ever wondered what habits have the most impact on your day-to-day life? Or if there are some that you should start doing to improve your daily routine?
The way we live today is vastly different from the way people lived just 50 years ago. The introduction of computers and smartphones has changed our lives in ways that are both good and bad. For example, it can be easier than ever to be productive at work or school with more access to information than ever before, but it also opens the door for distraction and procrastination. People’s lives have become more complicated with their increased exposure to technology. We now find ourselves living in a world of duality, both benefiting from these new technologies while being harmed by them as well. These changes have had a significant effect on how people think about their health routines-both physical and mental-and what they believe will make them feel better in the long run.
The truth is that there are so many habits you can form depending on what you want to achieve. However, some of them will make it a lot easier for you to reach success and they can even totally change your life in the most positive way possible.
To help you out on this task, here are the 15 habits that can totally transform your life in a positive way:
1. Create your own personal “good habit” list
It’s important when trying to create new patterns in your life that you have a clear idea of what those patterns should be. So before starting anything else, write down what habits you want and need in order for your lifestyle change (e.g., stop being so stressed all the time, get up earlier every day).
2. Get plenty of sleep
Getting enough sleep is one of the easiest ways to keep stress levels down. When you’re well-rested, it’s a lot easier to think clearly and make smarter decisions. Sleeping also helps your body with cell repair so that your body functions are all in working order (a lack of sleep can lead to many problems).
3. Start exercising regularly
This will not only help you meet your fitness goals but will also improve your mental health and well-being. There’s a reason why people say that exercise is healthy, even though they’re usually referring to physical benefits. It’s suggested that exercise boosts the levels of endorphins in your brain, which make you happier and keep anxiety at bay. Start slow if you have to. Start walking daily or take up a local sport that interests you (like tennis).
4. Create a healthy diet
Eating well is a must for your physical and mental health. Some foods can make you feel very sluggish while others will energize you in the best way possible. What’s good about a healthy diet is that it doesn’t have to be expensive, nor does it take much time to prepare. Always try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables or an egg-white omelet for a simple protein fix.
5. Plan out your days
Life is hectic most of the time so it’s best that you come up with a plan for your days. Try to schedule the events of your day and make it as detailed as possible (i.e., 7:00 am – wake up; 8:30 am – breakfast time; 9:00 am – work begins, etc.). This way you can avoid any unnecessary stress or anxiety before bedtime because you know what to expect for the day.
6. Remove distractions
Some people don’t realize just how distracted they get when the TV is on or if their phone is buzzing every 5 minutes. It takes only a few seconds for distractions to get the best of you and before you know it, hours have passed by. It’s suggested that you remove all distractions (including social media) so that you can focus on one thing at a time.
7. Read at night
When you’re lying on your bed, take time to read a book or magazine before going to sleep. Reading can be very calming and it will help your mind unwind so that you’ll fall asleep easier once bedtime arrives.
8. Find ways to eliminate stress
If you’re feeling stressed out all the time, then it’s time to change things around. There are many ways of reducing your daily stress levels-meditation is a great choice when you need some peace and quiet (plus there are tons of apps that will help you). Stress can really drag you down and affect your mood so it’s important to find ways to alleviate it.
9. Overcome procrastination
This is a very common problem that most people face. If you’re constantly putting off work or other responsibilities for the day, then something needs to change. Most people put off things because they don’t feel motivated enough to do them, which is very unlike the feeling that you get when you’re on your way home after a great day of work. Try doing something fun before work if it seems like that’s all you need to enjoy yourself and motivate yourself to do better the next time around.
10. Talk less, listen more
Communication is very important not only in a romantic relationship but also with the rest of the world. It’s suggested that people spend most of their time talking about themselves instead of listening to others, which is wrong because it doesn’t allow anyone to grow or learn anything new. So put yourself out there and try using your words to encourage other people, talk about what they have to say, and try to learn something new every single day.
11. Exercise your mind
Being intelligent is one of the best things in life, which is why it’s a must that you exercise your mind on a regular basis. Reading books helps memory retention and improves writing skills (by using advanced vocabulary). Playing mental games can be an incredible way to release stress and stretch your mind in different directions.
12. Give yourself a break
Life can get very stressful sometimes so make sure you take time out for yourself. If you’re obsessing over a certain issue, then try to flip it around and look at things from another perspective. If you still can’t fix the problem then take a day off and see how you feel then. Remember to maintain your health so that you can continue with life without feeling like you’re drowning in stress.
13. Be positive
Staying positive is very important in our day and age where negativity seems to surround us at every corner. Having a positive attitude can help you get through life so much easier and it’ll also allow people to connect with you in a very powerful way. Try looking for the good in every situation-don’t wait for tragedy to strike before appreciating your life because it’s all that matters (once it’s gone, there’s nothing left).
14. Quit comparing yourself to others
It’s easy to lose track of where you’re going if you keep looking at other people. Everyone will reach their goals in different ways so don’t be discouraged by someone else’s accomplishments and use them as a means of motivation. If your goal is to run a marathon then focus on how that feels and how you want to improve your health.
15. Love yourself
Loving yourself is the most important thing anyone can do for themselves. No one will love you if you don’t love yourself first and that’s why it’s so important for people to put themselves first before looking for a partner. If no one loves you, then nobody will care about your needs or pay attention to what’s happening in your life.
Once you’ve got the basics down, make your habits measurable. This is my #1 tip when trying to create new habits. It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to do, just make sure you set a real date for when you want to achieve your goal. If you haven’t set a date, then there’s no pressure on yourself.
I find that it also helps to actually write down when you want to achieve your goal. For example, I want to read a book every week until I’ve read 52 books. Or, if you can’t commit one year of your life to create this habit, set a shorter goal. For example, I’m going to try and go on a walk every morning for half an hour beginning Monday, September 18th. You will find that by setting a real date, you build a massive amount of confidence and motivation to make this goal happen. You can even reward yourself once you’ve achieved it!
Depending on how you define it, treat yourself can involve pleasure or anticipation. It could be as simple as going out to dinner with friends, or as involved as booking a weekend in the Bahamas. The key is to look forward to it. A book isn’t finished without an ending, so give yourself something to look forward to at the end of your habit. And then reward yourself!
The habits that you create in your life can have a significant impact on the way it evolves. It’s important to make sure that these habits are healthy ones and not just quick fixes for some aspect of your life. Habits can be really difficult to create, but the payoff is worth it. By following these 15 habits that we’ve compiled for you here today, you’ll find yourself living a much more balanced and happy life than before. You don’t need to follow all of them at once-just pick one or two new ones each week. When you’re feeling bored in your routine or stuck on something, try adding a few of these healthy habits into your day so that they become part of who you are!
If you found this article helpful, share it with your friends and let us know if you would add anything to our list!
Leave a Reply