When you think about changing your life it might seem overwhelming. It’s easy to believe that you have to make monumental changes that will take tons of time and effort. But really, the best way to change your life is to change your small daily habits. Your life is made up of a series of moments; one day at a time. What you do everyday is what you do with your life. Which is why improving your daily habits is the best way to boost your productivity, give yourself encouragement, and create a fresh start.
Create a Morning Ritual
If your day starts off right, you’re more likely to be productive and positive throughout the day, which is why creating a morning routine is so important. You’ll need to figure out what works best for you, since not every technique works for everybody. But a few ideas to consider adding to your mornings are:
- Meditate – Meditation will help you clear your mind and set your intentions for the day.
- Morning Yoga – Your morning yoga flow doesn’t have to be lengthy or intense. A few small stretches will help you wake up and loosen your muscles after a night of sleeping.
- Read Something Inspiring – Inspiration and motivation are two important keys for success. You might find your inspiration in a small passage from a self-help book or a quote from Pinterest.
- Set Your Intentions for the Day – It’s important that you’re focused on what’s ahead of you and ready to tackle it with purpose.
Create a Nightly Ritual
If you create a morning ritual, it’s only natural that you would create a nightly one as well. Again, what works for one person might not work for another, but a few ideas you can try are:
- Set Out What You Need for Tomorrow- Pick out your outfit, and gather everything you need for the day before you go to sleep. By preparing for the next day the night before, you’ll save yourself time and decrease stress in the morning.
- Take a Hot Shower or Soak in the Bath – Taking a hot shower or bath is a great way to unwind after a long day. It’s important to relax and clear your mind before bed. You’ll get to sleep, and sleep better, if you avoid social media or TV right before bed. Scrolling through your phone or watching Netflix is too stimulating and distracting, it doesn’t encourage peaceful rest, and it can keep you up past your bedtime.
- Journal – Try writing down three things that made you happy throughout the day. Journaling is a great way to reflect on the good in your life and take time to be thankful for it. You can also write down a few goals for the next day.
Finish The Hardest Task First
If you have a lot of tasks on your to-do list, it’s best to cross off the hardest task first. By tackling the hardest task of the day first, you don’t have to worry about it anymore, and everything that comes after will seem easier.
Drink Water in the Morning
The first drink most people think about when they wake up is coffee. But before you pour yourself a cup of java, drink 8 ounces of water. Drinking water first thing in the morning will rehydrate your body (which has gone several hours without water). Afterwards, you can certainly pour yourself a cup of coffee.
Take Breaks
It can be easy to get caught up in your tasks. After all, you want to be productive and successful. But you don’t want to get so overwhelmed that you burn out. Your brain is a powerful tool, but it needs a break from time to time. If you have a lot of tasks on your to-do list, schedule a few breaks in between some of them to let your brain rest and recover. It might feel like you’re wasting time, but in reality, you’re allowing yourself to be more productive since you’ll face your next task fully refreshed and clear minded.
Disconnect
Social media is a part of everyone’s daily life, but checking Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter too often can lead be damaging to your productivity and overall happiness. Studies show that people who spend too much time on social media are more likely to suffer from depression. There’s nothing wrong with staying connected through social media, so long as it’s done in moderation.
Read
Reading is an excellent source of mental stimulation. Reading daily has been shown to improve focus, concentration, and memory. It’s also a great way to unplug from technology, learn new things, and expand your vocabulary. It doesn’t matter what you read, so long as it helps motivate you or sparks creativity and passion.
Stick to a Sleep Schedule
Your body functions best when you go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday. Your circadian rhythm is your natural, internal process that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. By going to bed and waking up at different times on different days, you disrupt your body’s internal clock. These disruptions can cause you to be sluggish and irritable throughout the day.
Stop Multitasking
Very few people truly multitask well. Giving little bits of your time and energy to several things at once causes you to overwork your brain, burn out, and leave a lot of tasks partly finished. It’s better to tackle your to-do list one task at a time. Dedicating all of your focus and energy on one thing will help you perform more efficiently and effectively. Then, once that task is complete, you can move on to the next with complete focus.
Stay Positive
Whenever you face a challenging situation, you’re faced with a choice. You can doubt yourself and imagine the worst, or you can believe in yourself and envision a good outcome. If you choose to envision the good, you’ll be motivated to do whatever it takes to see it happen. But, if you fill yourself with doubt, you’re more likely to give up without really trying.
The daily habits on this list might seem small, but small changes lead to big results. If you’re stuck in a rut and want to be more successful, happy, and encouraged, try adding a few of these habits into your routine. If you stick with it, you’ll see that improving your daily habits really can change your life.