It seems that many of us tend to have more bad daily habits than good. And it’s really no surprise: The stress of modern life with its many deadlines, constant barrage of information and comparing ourselves to impossible standards has us cutting corners and promoting poor habits, like staying up way too late.
Break the cycle with these 8 good daily habits to improve your life:
Exercise Daily
Are you feeling both physically and mentally tired? You’re probably not getting enough exercise. Getting in at least a half hour of daily exercise has been shown to improve our physical and mental wellbeing. You’ll be able to sleep better, feel more alert, and control your weight.
Disconnect From The Internet
We get it. We totally do: The Internet is now an integral part of our lives with many of us spending much of our time on it for both work and pleasure. But it’s also stressing us out, what with constant Facebook updates and emails that are designed to grab our attention.
Disconnect from the Internet each evening and morning to take time for yourself and improve your mental health. Set specific times during the day to check social media and email so you don’t find so much time sucked away.
Don’t Stress The Small Things
Do you find yourself constantly stressing over the little things, like the kids took just a little too long to get ready or a mistake made at work that was easily fixable? Let it all go.
Too much stress can become toxic, negatively affecting your life and relationships. Learning to let go of the small things and those that are out of your control will help you cope with daily stress.
Drink More Water
Do you find yourself drinking soda and other sugary drinks throughout your day? Cut back and drink water instead. Water is not only better for you, but will keep you hydrated for longer, control your weight, and help your body function more efficiently. So drink up!
Be Thankful
What are you thankful for? Taking a few minutes out of your day to review the things you’re thankful for has been shown to make us markedly happier and healthier.
So write down what you’re thankful for in your daily life, be it your friends and family, the coworker who helped you with a difficult task a work, or the teacher who encouraged you when you were a child. You can put these writings in a jar to read later when you’re feeling blue or in need of encouragement.
Get Outside
Do you find yourself indoors most of your day with the only time you get outside is when you’re walking to and from your car? Try to make an effort to get outside for at least an hour or so a day. Green spaces have been shown to improve our overall mood and health, so take the time to get outside and breathe in what nature has to offer.
Practice Good Hygiene
It may seem like a no-brainer, but practicing good daily hygiene like brushing and flossing your teeth and washing your hands makes a world of difference. Not only will you look better, but you’ll also feel better as it helps prevent illness and promotes good personal and business relationships.
Get Enough Sleep
Do you find yourself getting another cup of coffee in the morning or staying up late because you have to finish just one more thing? It’s doing you more harm than good.
Getting enough sleep at night will help you get sick less often, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce stress. So set a regular bedtime and routine and stick to it. This will help tell your body each night that it’s time to wind down and rest.
Taking the time to add positive daily habits helps you live a healthier and more fulfilling life, so take the time to work on your daily routine now. The sooner you can develop constructive habits, the sooner you can start reaping their rewards.
