Have you heard the famous saying: “Your habits can either make you or break you”? Or, maybe you’ve seen the trillion YouTube videos or TikToks on the importance of daily habits or, better yet, “the perfect morning routine.” Although it may feel pretty overwhelming, there is a lot of truth to all of the above.
If you tend towards information overload or overwhelm, or perhaps you don’t know where to start, take a seat. I got you.
You are not “just lazy”. You are human. It would be best to have a reason to adopt some of these glorious habits. The reason is that after you adopt some of these habits and they become “reflexive,” you will never be the same, and yes, my friend, with time, you will feel more fulfilled in your everyday life.
You see, your behaviors, thoughts, habits, and actions have an undeniable impact on your mental and physical health as well as your outlook on life. Studies show that those with a positive mindset enjoy a more fulfilling, more satisfying life because they don’t allow their negative self-talk to take over their everyday life.
Instead, they deal with whatever comes their way with resilience and acceptance. They also have faith that things will eventually work out.
By incorporating most of these six healthy daily habits, you’ll feel more fulfilled and start living your best life.
Let’s get started.
9 Healthy Daily Habits that Will Change Your Life:
- Get Morning Sunlight
I stumbled upon this one. During the early days of the Pandemic, I missed the weekly group exercise classes I adored. As a result, I started walking around the block first thing in the morning (soaking in the morning light). Each week, I added another circle around the block, and before I knew it, I walked for an hour and a half each morning. I learned later about the multitude of benefits of getting morning light. These benefits included resetting circadian rhythms, better sleep, a boosted immune system, elevated mood, lowered stress, regulated appetite, improved productivity, and more.
- Spend Time in Nature
Research tells us that spending time in nature has a fantastic effect on our emotional and psychological health. It elevates positive feelings while lowering stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Spending as little as 10–15 minutes a day outdoors can improve your mood and help you feel happier and more satisfied with life in general. Enjoying nature can also make you feel more relaxed and at home with something bigger than yourself.
- Move Your Body
Staying consistent with exercise may only seem possible for some. But remember that you don’t have to do high-intensity sessions each week to reap its benefits.
Instead of setting unrealistic goals, stick with a practice that is more doable and easily fits into your schedule. For example, take a brisk 20-minute walk in the morning or during your lunch break, try a 15-minute dance routine in your living room, or sign up for a yoga class at your community center.
Whichever activity you choose, it’ll undoubtedly relieve stress and make you feel more confident. Plus, exercise releases endorphins, which is one of the feel-good hormones.
- Hydrate
Never underestimate the power of hydration for your overall health and well-being. Yet, according to this study, 47% of Americans don’t drink enough water. Every organ, tissue, and cell in our body needs water. Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood. Try drinking most of your water within the first 10 hours of waking. This practice can keep you evenly hydrated throughout the day and limit your nighttime trips to the bathroom.
- Consider Time Restricted Eating (TRE)
There is a lot of buzz concerning the health and wellness benefits of time-restricted eating, otherwise known as TRE. TRE is a form of Intermittent Fasting. Without further complicating this modality, remember that eating within a designated window most days of the week has enormous health benefits that far surpass weight loss. This article goes into detail if you want to learn how TRE works and some of its benefits.
- Learn Something New
An excellent way to feel more fulfilled is by discovering something new each day. If you read this article all the way through, you might learn something new today. Pursuing learning allows you to become more aware, well-rounded, and knowledgeable.
You could learn something new through various media, such as listening to a podcast, reading, or watching a documentary or informational video.
Acquiring a wealth of knowledge or learning a new skill is a great way to enhance the quality of your life. This daily practice enhances cognitive skills. You can lower boredom and keep your brain healthy and active.
Learning something new keeps you from getting into a rut. It proves you can learn, grow, and become more flexible. It is a skill in itself to be able to learn and grow. This new skill primes you for new opportunities and doors of exploration.
- Practice Meditation
Meditation has long been linked to better physical, emotional, and mental health. It lowers stress levels while promoting self-awareness and gratitude.
According to the NIH, spending 5–10 minutes practicing meditation can make a huge difference in your day. It can facilitate inner peace and cultivate feelings of gratitude.
Meditation can also reduce negative emotions, which can help you gain a new perspective on stressful circumstances. Thus, you become more capable of facing challenging situations with resilience and inner strength.
- Make a To-Do List (if possible, the night before)
Some people cringe at the thought of making a to-do list. But it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
Whether at home or work, having a list that prioritizes your daily tasks allows you to be better organized. It also encourages you to focus more on the most crucial tasks first.
Furthermore, a to-do list helps you stay on track throughout the day, which helps prevent putting off tasks or procrastination. Then, you can check off all the things you’ve accomplished and be proud of all your hard work. Most importantly, a to-do list gives you a sense of accompaniment and forward movement on what matters most to you. It lets you feel on top of your life rather than buried under unfinished projects and tasks.
- Connect with Others
We’re social creatures. As such, we need to spend time connecting with others to help us avoid negative feelings like isolation and loneliness.
When you make a habit of connecting with friends, family, and co-workers, it’ll give you the sense that you’re cared for and loved. Plus, social connections improve your ability to bounce back during trying times and help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Furthermore, staying connected enhances the quality of your overall health. Even a 10-minute phone or video call with a loved one can lift your mood, promote healthy eating, improve sleep, and lower your risk of chronic diseases.
Final Thoughts:
In some small way, most of us can change our lives for the better when we decide to. Adopting new healthy habits can put you on that pathway of improvement. Establishing new habits and routines should be a fun exercise and practice. However, adopting new habits can also be quite challenging.
Developing the habit of pushing through resistance can serve you well when exploring habit formation. Just recently, a study was published that examined the positive impact that pushing through resistance has on the brain. Embracing new healthy habits is a winning proposition, no matter how you look at it. It improves your overall well-being while giving you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Be well + proper,
Elaine xx
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