Old habits can make it hard for you to move forward in life and cause you to stay at a standstill. Whether you’re in a rut or just need some more positivity in your day-to-day, here are five ways to change your life through better habits.
1. Get enough sleep
This is one of the most important things you can do for your health, energy, and overall well-being. It’s recommended that you get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you get less than this, try to adjust your sleep schedule to where you can hit this amount every night. If you’re having trouble sleeping through the night, consider cutting caffeine before bed, exercising during the day, decluttering your room, and setting the room temperature around 68 degrees.
2. Change up your meal plan
If you’re constantly on the go, it can be super easy to opt for fast food—it’s quick, affordable, and fulfilling. However, processed food isn’t always the healthiest for your body. Make time in your schedule to meal plan at the beginning of every week and figure out which groceries you need to buy for your meals. Cook meals in bulk or have a schedule that tells you what healthy foods to eat throughout the week. Opt for veggies, fruits, grains, and lean proteins.
3. Get off your phone
Constantly scrolling through social media can cause you to fall victim to the comparison game. Put your phone down and stimulate your mind in another way. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, hang out with a friend in person, write in your journal, paint, do chores—anything that gets you up and away from your phone is a viable option.
4. Try to be more mindful
When you’re overwhelmed with work and other priorities, you have little time to think about each individual task at hand. While multi-tasking may work for some, it still prevents people from giving something their complete attention. According to House Method, the next time you’re about to do something think about the intention behind it.
For example, when cooking a meal, don’t have the TV on or be talking to a friend. Focus on the ingredients, the cooking process, and the outcome. Take note of each ingredient, the smells that arise from your cooking, and the feeling you get once the finished product is done. Small steps like this can help you be more mindful and allow you to appreciate the little things in life.
5. Get out and exercise
If you haven’t exercised in a while and are stuck in a rut, it can be hard to find the motivation to get back on track to a healthier lifestyle. If this is the case, there are a few things you can do to get back into a consistent exercise routine:
- Change the time you work out. If you found that you never had the motivation to exercise after work, perhaps try working out in the morning to give you that boost of energy you’ve been looking for.
- Participate in a group fitness class. When you’ve signed up and paid for a class, it’s less likely that you’ll not go and let your money go to waste.
- Reward yourself. After working out 10 times, get yourself a new yoga mat or that pair of running shoes you’ve been eyeing for some time. You deserve it.