As easy as it is to form bad habits, it’s just as easy to form good ones. Certain positive habits can increase feelings of happiness and self-love by leading us to a state of better emotional, physical and mental well-being. Making the change might seem overwhelming, but it’s not as hard as you’d think and these are some great New Year’s Resolutions. Here are 9 things we should be doing more often for a happier and healthier life:
- Develop a morning ritual. It could be something as simple as having a shower, making your signature protein smoothie, going for a walk and then writing out today’s to-do list on your balcony with a cup of tea. A routine will help you wake up and get you ready to make the most of your day. In other words, this is how you get your day off to a fantastic and energetic start.
- Exercise. We may laugh our asses off while nodding in agreement at those memes we see on Instagram that read “gym update: still not there,” but the reality is, it’s important to exercise often. Exercising releases endorphins and clears brain-fog, which is why you feel so great after a workout. In general, those who work out often tend to be happier, less stressed and feel more productive. If you don’t want to shell out on a gym membership, do a workout DVD in your living room or just go for a long walk around your neighborhood. It all counts!
- Go on more dates. All it takes is going on a date to remember how much fun dates are, but there’s a reason we sometimes avoid them. Dating requires a lot of effort, which is why we go on fewer dates than we could. If you’re meeting up with that cute guy from Happn, you’ll have to get ready, be energetic, be funny – the list goes on. But what we sometimes forget is that the effort to get ready for a date is worth it, and we all deserve to have a fun night out every once in awhile.
- Tidy up and revamp your bedroom. Many of you have likely heard of the New York Times Bestseller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. The book explains why tidying up and redecorating inspires a healthier overall mindset. It can even cure anxiety problems and help us feel more relaxed, as though a weight has been lifted. Tidy up and buy fresh new bedding — the positive effects of this won’t go unnoticed.
- Treat yourself. Seriously, find ways to treat yourself. This could be in the form of a ‘maintenance day’ where you get a pedicure and a massage. Or perhaps this is the day you get a facial and treat yourself to a bowl of salted caramel ice cream. Even better — treat yourself by planning a vacation, because even if it’s not going to be for six months, it’s nice to have something to look forward to.
- Spend more time in nature. You should commit to spending time in nature every single day, even if it’s just a 45 minute walk to a nearby park. Studies have shown that spending time in nature is linked to happiness, higher self-esteem, and a reduction in depression and anxiety. It’s important to spend time away from laptop screens and TV screens, because too much screen-time is incredibly bad for our emotional and physical well-being. What better way to get away from the screen than spending some time outside in nature?
- Cook more often. Cooking more often translates into eating healthier and eating cleaner. If you eat better, you’ll have more energy and you’ll be in a better mood. Even if you cook something super easy like a 10-minute vegetable stir-fry for dinner, it definitely still counts and it’s way better for you than ordering a pizza.
- Write in a journal. It’s amazing how therapeutic writing in a journal is. A lot of our anxiety can be cured by getting it all out on paper and working through our issues as we write about them. This also makes us much more self-aware which leads to better habits. Reliving and preserving a great memory is as easy as journaling about it to prevent taking the good things for granted.
- Enjoy your bedtime ritual. It may sound elementary, but having a bedtime routine can have dramatic positive effects on your overall well-being. It’s important not to have any screen-time at least one hour before bed, so grab your book, get in bed and read for an hour before you go to sleep. It’s of course also important to take the time to wash your face, brush your teeth, apply your night cream and brush your hair. You may even have a sleep hypnosis podcast that you listen to on a nightly basis to relax and get ready for sleep. Whatever your bedtime routine is, having one is guaranteed to increase the quality of your sleep, and therefore increase your energy in the morning.
