Looking for daily habits to improve your life? I know a little something about this department and would love to help out.
Read on to unveil 10 good habits that will change your life forever.Â
Two years ago, I set out on a mission to reinvent myself. It wasn’t that my life at that point was bad, per se.
But the more that I was growing each day, the more I realized that my needs were not being met by my lifestyle.
I wanted to lead myself toward the path of success and accomplish everything I’ve dreamt of since I was a child. It’s a goal I’m sure many of you can relate to.
Naturally, with such a massive expectation comes the notion that drastic steps would be needed to get to your end game.
But thankfully, it didn’t take me long to realize that this is not the case.
The Importance Of Small Daily Habits
You don’t need big yearly goals and over-the-top resolutions to change your life.
Simple daily habits are enough to steer you in the right direction, and this is where most people lose interest.
Challenges seem exciting and doable at first glance. But habit-building is a time-consuming process, and few of us are willing to put our energy into it.
But I am telling you today that your small daily habits can make or break your long-term vision of life.
You have to be willing to change your habits and create new ones that fit your idea of a healthy routine.
It took me about three months to explore the area of habit-building. During this time, I experimented with various ideas from blog articles and self-help books.
The result was amazing and totally life-altering for me.
I found beauty and strength in the concept of habits and routines, something I never thought would actually be so fun. I also gained better control over my self-discipline.
But most importantly, I realized that it is the small daily habits that lead to the biggest changes in life.
Liking the post so far? You might want to pin it to save for later. 😊
In this post, we talk about the 10 best daily habits you need to improve your life.
These daily habits are the building blocks of my current routine, which I am highly satisfied with and think you would find helpful too.
Let’s get started.
10 Daily Habits That Will Change Your Life
1. Wake Up Early
Throughout my teen years, I prided myself on being a night owl. But some part of me knew that if I could get myself to rise early, my routine would glow like the sun.
And that’s just what happened. Once I became a morning person, things naturally became simpler.
My focus increased, my stressful thoughts became less frequent, and my mood improved too.
You can say that a few nights of proper bedtime, and training myself to wake up at the first sound of the alarm paid out in beautiful ways.
When you wake up early, your day is guaranteed to start on a positive note.
No other point of the day carries the fresh energy of the morning, which makes sense because it’s the golden hour.
So the habit of waking up early definitely needs to be your top priority.
How to become a morning person
- Start by building a proper nightcare routine.
- Gradually shift your bedtime earlier instead of attempting to change your daily habits within one day.
- Create a personalized morning routine that excites and prompts you to leave your bed.
- Journal your bedtime thoughts for a stress-free sleep.
- Plan your coming day in advance to avoid morning stress.
- Keep your alarm clock at some distance so that you’re forced to get up to turn it off.
- Open the windows the moment you’re up and breathe in the fresh air.
If you have a few minutes to spare, read my post on how to become a morning person. It has some really unique morning tricks that have never failed me.
2. Drink Loads Of Water
Hydration was not one of my strongest habits, but I worked on it during my wellness journey, and it really paid off.
Reaching for my bottle is second nature to me now, and I’ll tell you why you might want to get to the same point.
Water isn’t just a basic source of sustenance. It is so much more than a drink to quench your thirst.
It has healing properties that keep your gut health in check and can also keep your stress and anxiety at bay.
In fact, water is the first thing I reach for when I’m feeling overwhelmed. It helps me calm down and I am able to think clearly after just a few sips.
If you are looking for a simple habit to improve your life, then hydration would be a good and easy place to start.
TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR WATER INTAKE
- Make a resolution to drink at least 10 glasses of water every day.
- Start your mornings with a glass of warm water.
- Use a water-tracking app to keep up with your hydration goals.
- Keep a water bottle with you at all times.
- Take small and regular sips from your water instead of gulping it down in one go.
- Have a juicy fruit every day.
Bookmark for later: 9 Best Things I Ever Did To Improve My Health
3. A Soothing Bedtime Routine
Wellness influencers around the globe preach the importance of getting sufficient hours of beauty sleep (and for good reason.)
If your sleeping habits are off-kilter, they will inadvertently affect your lifestyle.
But in today’s fast-paced life, it can be hard to shut off your stressful thoughts and go to bed in peace.
That’s where a bedtime routine comes in.
It’s something that would hardly take 30 minutes of your night but could be extremely rewarding for your long-term goals.
A healthy and personalized nightcare routine relieves you of your worries and helps you sleep better at night.
Below are some of the things I do before bed as a part of my wellness routine. Feel free to adopt any ideas that appeal to you.
HOW TO BUILD A NIGHTTIME ROUTINE
- Start by turning off your phone notifications. It’s important to unplug so that you can unwind.
- Take a warm bath or a shower to relax, followed by proper skincare.
- Get all your items ready for the next day to avoid the morning hustle.
- Journal your bedtime thoughts for a quiet reflection (See: 50 night journal prompts).
- Drink herbal tea as you read or do something you love.
- Do bed yoga to relax your mind and body.
- Unwind as you listen to some soft music.
- Close off with a guided sleep meditation.
You might like: 17 Insanely Productive Things To Do At Night Before Bed
4. Form A Habit Of Regular Exercise
I’m sure you already realize the importance of exercise for your body’s wellness.
It keeps you fit, increases your agility, and helps in weight maintenance.
But while I was learning how to be religious with this habit, I allowed myself to see past the surface benefits of workouts and realized there is much more to exercising than just good fitness.
For instance, did you know that working out can skyrocket your confidence?
I have personally observed that I hold my head high after a good session of workout. Black widow vibes all over, I swear.
So, don’t dread your exercises. They can be the most fun part of your health routine if you allow yourself to change your mindset just a little.
Build this habit if you are looking to be sharp, act smart, and feel beautiful inside and out. You need this thing as an ally, trust me.
How To Be Regular With Exercise
- Start by doing 5-10 minutes of workout every day.
- Get your exercises in the form of activities that you enjoy.
- Do your workouts in the morning to avoid procrastinating later.
- Aim to exercise for at least 5 out of 7 days a week.
- Wear feel-good and comfortable workout clothes to feel confident.
- Pick up an online workout challenge program to feel accountable (See: My review of Chloe Ting’s Summer Shred Challenge)
- Aim for consistency over intensity.
Related Post: 8 Simple Tricks To Motivate Yourself To Workout
5. Eat Mindfully
Your meals are the building blocks of your day.
Your body loves you when you’re eating the right food at the right time and in the right quantity.
Those are a lot of rights, I know, and you’d want to enjoy your comfort food when you want to without feeling like you’re doing anything wrong.
Thankfully, there’s this thing called mindful eating that can help you with that.
It is the art of being intentional with your food practices, including the steps of buying, preparing, serving, and eating.
One thing I love about this habit is that it allows me to be free with my food choices because it encourages me to stay tuned to my body’s needs at all times.
You could eat your cupcakes and ice cream without feeling any unnecessary guilt, and you’d be equally enthusiastic about eating an apple. Sounds too good to be true, right?
But that’s what happens when you are mindful of your food, savor every bite, and know how to consume your meals in the right proportions.
That’s why mindful eating is hands-down the best habit I’ve learned in the past two years, and I believe you’ll love it too.
How To Be Mindful Of Your Food
- Quit all of your bad eating habits. Will take time, but it’s important.
- Chew slowly and savor enjoy every bite of your food.
- Avoid eating when you’re bored. Instead, pour your attention into a hobby (like reading.)
- Listen to your gut instead of relying on your emotions for hunger cues.
- Meditate for a few minutes before every meal.
- Avoid digital media as you eat to keep your focus on your plate.
- If you find yourself struggling, use a food journal to track your eating habits.
For a well-planned strategy, check out: 13 Unique Ways To Practice Mindful Eating
6. Write Down Your Plans For The Day
Your mind is the most interesting part of you. It is unique in the way it behaves and holds the power to guide you to the future that you desire.
But for all of that to happen, it is important to gain a healthy amount of control over your mind.
And the most practical way to achieve this is through words.
So many of us plan our daily habits and routines, hell-bent on getting them all right today. But a little bug called procrastination and its brother self-sabotage just love getting in the way.
You can get rid of your fears and worries by writing down your plans in the form of small, actionable steps.
This is the exact strategy I use every day to stay consistent with my routine, so I can say with certainty that it works like a charm.
HOW TO PLAN YOUR DAY
- Buy a planner or any blank journal.
- Set your intentions for the day within the first hour of the morning by writing them in your planner.
- Pen down any anxious thoughts that might come to you in between.
- Write powerful affirmations to boost your spirits.
- Tick every little goal you accomplish.
- Be okay with cutting any tasks that go untended. You can always finish them the next day.
- Always focus on things you get done instead of feeling down about what can’t be done.
- Allow yourself to be a messy planner. No need to be a perfectionist here; chaos is sometimes needed to find order. 🙂
Worth Reading: 10 Girl Boss Habits For A Classy And Successful Life
7. Read As Much As You Can
If you are looking to build habits for a balanced life, reading should be at the top of the list.
It is the one activity that keeps you entertained, enlightens you, and adds to your thinking abilities like nothing else does.
It doesn’t matter if you’re into fiction or non-fiction, although a healthy mix of both is always great.
With good fiction, you get to immerse yourself in a different world and escape from the stress of your everyday life.
Non-fiction books are amazing to change your perception of things and adopt a positive way of life.
Read every day and you won’t ever feel alone because books are your friends for life.
FORMING A DAILY HABIT OF READING
- Add reading to your bedtime routine.
- Make it a resolution to read at least one page every day.
- Set realistic and achievable reading goals on Goodreads to stay motivated.
- Try various genres to decide what appeals to you most.
- Invest in paperbacks and keep them close to your bed.
- Read whenever you’re bored.
So far we’ve discussed 7 daily habits to change your life forever (not an exaggeration, these tips really can do wonders for your lifestyle.)
The next 3 habits are the ones that took me the longest to get to but have given me loads of contentment in the short duration that I’ve known them.
They are the parts of my routine that keep me inspired to keep walking and also let me enjoy my journey to the fullest.
Keep on reading!
8. Spend Some Time In Nature
Why add nature to your daily routine? Because not doing so is a waste of the beauty around you!
Nature has a ton of love and care to offer, but its importance is often lost or taken for granted.
It is the best healer, teacher, and friend to those who are wise enough to seek it on a daily basis.
Being in constant touch with nature has helped me slow down my life, which is something I never thought I even needed until I was doing it.
I am now more in tune with my core and my surroundings than I’ve ever been. Trust me, it feels good to not linger in the past or be obsessed about the future all the time.
If mindfulness appeals to you, then nature is the one thing you’re going to want to be best buddies with.
WAYS TO BE IN CONTACT WITH NATURE
- Open your windows first thing in the morning and breathe in some fresh air.
- Grow some plants in your garden or balcony and spend time with them.
- Do some stargazing before your sleep time.
- Enjoy every season by engaging in seasonal outdoor activities.
- Go outside for daily walks. Even ten minutes outdoors can be highly refreshing and rejuvenating.
- Take regular hiking trips with friends and family.
- Catch the sunrise and the sunset on as many days as you can.
Don’t miss: How To Live A Quiet Life – 5 Simple Practices
9. Indulge In Your Hobbies
Let me ask you this – What was the last time you did something that made you immensely happy?
And no, I am not talking about binging Netflix or scrolling through your Instagram feed. I’m sure they make you feel good at the moment, but they don’t make you bloom on the inside.
Growing up, I am sure all of you were familiar with the term ‘hobby’. It was all your parents and teachers ever talked about and it might have even been the topic of your cute little essays.
Maybe you loved playing an instrument as a kid, or sang and danced in your free time? What about reading, gardening, painting, or doodling?
Those were the activities that had nothing to do with technology and everything to do with your inner self. Just because you’re a grown-up now, doesn’t mean you can’t still do all those things.
In fact, as we grow older, we need hobbies more than ever to tap into our inner joy and make our inner child feel cherished.
Hobbies can also help you bust your daily stress, build better focus, and be more productive in your work.
HOW TO MAKE TIME FOR YOUR HOBBIES
- Find a hobby that you can partake in anywhere (cue: reading, puzzle solving, poetry.)
- Instead of spending time on social media, give some time to your favorite hobby.
- While planning your day, allot a section of your time to a hobby.
- Get rid of distracting activities and replace them with your hobbies.
- Find what makes you the happiest and do more of it.
- Sign up for a local hobby class.
- Discover new hobbies to keep your inner child engaged.
Important: 15 Hobbies That Make Money And Are Excellent For A Side Income
10. The Habit Of Self-Care
Self-care is the cute little button that has completely changed the course of my life.
Earlier, I’d spend 10 minutes in the shower, step outside in a rush, and launch into my routine like a cat.
Now, I take my time with my bath products and sit down with a journal later with green tea in hand.
Self-care is about changing the way you go about your routine and adding certain blissful activities that fill your heart with contentment.
It is also the best way to tend to your basic and higher-level needs through simple acts of mindfulness and self-love.
HOW TO PRACTICE SELF-CARE
- Master the 7 types of self-care for a balanced life.
- Be okay with prioritizing yourself. Realize that doing so doesn’t make you selfish.
- Give equal importance to your mental and physical health.
- Spend time with yourself and actually enjoy it (check out: 51 solo date ideas).
- Take regular breaks from digital and social media.
Bookmark for later: 101 Quick 5-Minute Self-Care Activities
Good Daily Habits Are Essential To Improve Your Life
There is a clear distinguishment between people who lead a happy life and those who struggle to maintain stability.
It’s the kind of habits they cultivate that make all the difference.
Toxic habits are easy to indulge in and equally hard to break.
But a clear and simple solution is to replace them with healthier and good habits that you can thrive upon in your everyday life.
You just need some determination and the willingness to change. The rest will take care of itself.
Read next: How To Embrace Change In Life – 8 Tips For A Graceful Transition
You just discovered 10 amazing habits to improve your life. Got something you’d like to add? Drop a comment in the box down below! I’d love to chat.
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