You’ve probably heard a lot about habits over the course of your lifetime. Good ones, bad ones, kicking them, making them stick. You might wonder how to make this magic happen or how to stick with something that feels like a chore. Making something a habit doesn’t have to be hard. Start small…you can tackle harder ones and add on once you’ve had success with the first. These 16 easy habits for a healthier life are a good place to start, especially when you start with one. (It’s ok to start with the one that’s easiest for you!)
Over the last 8 1/2 years, I have thought a lot about habits. Some things have become habits almost to my surprise, others have become habits after a lot of struggle. But either way, I have come to think habits are so important.
Habits, Routines, Discipline
Habits foster discipline. I am not a disciplined person by nature. You would call me loosey-goosey or go-with-the-flow before you called me disciplined. And I really used to think I was born flawed- missing whatever made other people “disciplined” because I could never seem to stick to anything.
Getting my why right (why I want something) and putting habits in place have been and remain the key to my discipline. The discipline that allows me to stick with exercise programs and get up at 5:30 to work out even though I’m tired and it’s cold out there in the world beyond my bed.
If you’re looking to make a change think about what habits you could put in place to help you make that change happen.
You can start small and once you feel like you’ve made one thing a habit, move on to another one.
Here are some habits that can help you be a healthier, happier person:
- drink a glass of water first thing in the morning
- take the stairs at work
- go for a walk every day- even if it’s just 5 or 10 minutes
- set a bedtime (and stick to it)
- eat vegetables first at dinnertime
- read food labels- especially ingredient lists
- clean up your coffee
- aim for 10,000 steps a day (or a number a little higher than you usually hit right now)
- meal plan for the week
- eat more slowly and stop when you’re full
- put your phone away an hour before bedtime
- meditate for 10 minutes
- start a gratitude journal
- read something inspiring or motivating 10 minutes each day
- bring lunch to work
- add in a food or drink that gives you probiotics
Pick an easy one to start with! Set yourself up for success…you can tackle harder ones later.
The Ripple Effect…
The good news about habits and change? There’s a definite ripple effect. One small change in one area of your life might influence changes in other areas of your life quite naturally.
Try to build the habit you choose into your day at the same time each day, when it applies and when possible. For example, walk at lunchtime, read first thing in the morning, meditate when you get home from work, etc. Routine and habit go together. The more these habits become part of your daily routine, the more likely you are to keep them up.
Building on existing habits and routines is a great way to go, too. You probably brush your teeth every morning; drink a glass of water right after. Meditate right after you shower. Read right after you wash your face at night.
I’ll leave you with some more good quotes on habits…
“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not.” -Octavia Butler
“I suspect that these traits- desire, commitment, and good work habits- are important in all facets of our lives…” -LaVell Edwards
“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger.” -James Clear
“The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.” -Samuel Johnson
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Will Durant
“Successful people are simply those with successful habits.” -Brian Tracy
There are tons of books on habits, too. It’s been a while, but I liked The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey and one I want to read is Atomic Habits by James Clear. (Have you read any good books about habits? Please tell me!)
What good habits do you already have in place? What habit would you love to incorporate? I love hearing about habits and what works for other people! You can comment here, email me at mary@stayathomefit.com, or reach out to me on Facebook or Instagram.
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