What is something you want to change in your life? You likely know what this change would be, but how can you implement it? It’s not an easy process and it is something that requires work. That said, it is not close to being impossible. Here are some ideas that I found helpful, and I hope help you too.
To create change in your life first starts with developing healthy habits and removing the bad habits from your life. But how do you distinguish between a good habit versus a bad habit? Good habits spark joy and are impactful, leading you closer to your goals, while bad habits are much the opposite. A bad habit may feel good in the beginning; however, it actually hinders you from achieving your goals in the future. Habits appear to be difficult to form, however, it only takes 21 consistent days to develop a habit if you stick to it! The important thing here is to spend those 21 days developing a habit which will benefit you. Here are 4 great habits you could start implementing into your daily routine today!
Utilize Your Leisure Time
How we spend our leisure time is a reflection of how we view ourselves. Many people believe they do not have “time” to do the things that they love, or to try out new activities/hobbies they’ve begun to take interest in. While we all lead busy lives, if you break down your time you will find you have more time in a day than you may have realized. Ultimately, it comes down to the very idea that we prioritize what is most important to us. Next time you feel the need to say “I’m sorry I don’t have time for this”, say “I’m sorry but this isn’t a priority for me.” You will be surprised with how this simple shift makes all of the difference.
Disconnect for 5 to 10 minutes each morning
I cannot stress how important this is, although it does sound simple. You may be thinking
“What will 5-10 minutes of stillness actually do to improve my mindset?” You would be surprised how just a small amount of time can really make an impact. By doing this every morning, you are allowing yourself to clear any negative thoughts or pressing issues you may have felt from the night before, as you begin a new day. It’s so important to do this as you wake up and get ready for the day ahead of you. If your mind is filled with clutter, your day will likely be unproductive and you will not make the decisions that you could make if you had cleared your mind before heading into work, office, etc. You can disconnect by practicing meditation, going for a walk, or just finding a quiet space to think without any distractions. Either way you decide to do this will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to conquer your day!
Get Moving
Did you know getting up and moving for as little as 5 minutes can instantly improve your mood? Movement is key for living a healthy and balanced life. Whether you begin your morning by moving, or finish off your night with exercise, movement is essential. We as humans were created to move. In modern day culture, however, many of our jobs require us to stay in one position for a prolonged period of time, which can lead us to developing different health issues. You’ve likely heard the phrase “Movement is medicine for the soul.” Movement provides us with many mental, physical, and emotional benefits. We are physically energized after movement, are less stressed, and are overall in a better mood to engage with others. Unsure of what type of movement you would like to engage in? Movement as simple as going for a walk can benefit the body. A few other forms of exercise I absolutely love are practicing yoga, working out, taking Zumba/ hip hop classes, or going for a long hike! Once you find the form of movement that inspires you, you won’t be able to stop moving!
Learn Something New
Our purpose in life is to learn. Not only do we enter the world as a student, but we remain a student for our entire lives. The best, and most important way to learn is to remain curious. “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious”- Einstein. When you take the time to learn something new everyday, eventually you begin to fall in love with staying curious. Learning also improves your mental health, adaptability, and can improve your relationships with others. Similar to the examples above with movement, there are so many ways you can learn something new. I love listening to a morning podcast while I walk, or need to do any mundane chore so I can feel productive at the same time! You can also pick up a new book, watch a documentary, or sign up for free courses on platforms such as Skillshare, Coursera, or EDX.
What habits are currently a part of your daily routine? Which habits would you love to learn more about? Let’s start a conversation in the comments below! I would love to hear from you!