I think it’s safe to say that we would all appreciate simple ways to make our lives easier. Activities that can give us more energy or even simple acts that can make us more productive. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut or you simply lack the drive and energy you need to get things done (I know I definitely have!), the simple (but effective) habits below are for you. These 9 simple lifestyle habits will get you back on track and have you feeling healthy, focused and energised in no time, literally transforming your life.
1 . Waking up early
Rising early allows you to accomplish more before everyone else is awake. Having more time to focus on tasks while the rest of the world is sleeping gives you a fantastic head start to your day. By the time you get to work you will already have a feeling of achievement and be more settled into the day. Feeling more settled will also allow you to handle situations with calmness and order, as opposed to feeling stressed, overwhelmed and disorganised as a result of feeling rushed due to waking up late.
A lot of early risers that I’ve read about tend to be up around 5am but I wouldn’t advise you to start there, especially if you are normally a late riser. Start by getting up about 15 minutes earlier than you usually would for a week and then set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier again and again until your body becomes use to your new wake up time.
2 . Making your bed
It may seem like a small and relatively meaningless task but making your bed each day can have a big impact on your well-being. Making your bed can give you a feeling of accomplishment first thing in the morning, which sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. Making your bed also encourages you to keep your room tidy. I often feel that a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind, which in turn can effect your productivity and creativity. A tidy bed can set the precedent for a great day.
3 . Meditating
As a Christian I meditate on the word of God. This includes me praying, reading Bible passages, Christian devotionals, listening to gospel music and reflecting on God through appreciating nature. You may meditate in a different way, but the effect should be much the same. Your mind should become focused on something positive and affirming that gives you strength and purpose to face each day. This quiet time of reflection should allow you to start the day relaxed and end the day the same way.
4 . Drinking water
There are several different health benefits to drinking water that will make a tremendous difference to your day. Drinking enough water will prevent dehydration, which can effect your concentration. Lack of water can also lead to mood changes, constipation and kidney stones. Drinking water also helps to maintain the balance of your bodily fluids so that your body can function well by transporting nutrients and maintaining a healthy body temperature. Dehydration can cause your skin to wrinkle prematurely and your hair to become dry and brittle. Drinking water is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle so top up that water bottle and start sipping away.
5 . Eating breakfast
People who miss breakfast often end up grabbing something more convenient but unhealthy or skipping breakfast all together. This can lead to snacking throughout the day, which can lead to unwanted weight gain. Missing breakfast can also effect sugar levels in the blood and the rate of metabolism. Having breakfast helps your body to kick-start its metabolism for the day; when you skip breakfast, you are sending a message to your body that it needs to preserve calories whereas having breakfast enables your body to burn more calories throughout the day.
Breakfast also provides the body and brain with fuel after an overnight fast. If you start the day without having breakfast, you are effectively running on very little to no fuel, which could effect your productivity for that morning and the rest of the day.
6 . Exercising
There are a variety of physical benefits from taking regular exercise, but I want to take a moment to focus on some of the mental benefits of regular exercise. When we exercise our brain releases feel good chemicals called endorphins throughout the body, which helps us to feel great. Regular exercise also helps to reduce anxiety and depressed moods and can help to enhance self-esteem. People who exercise on a regular basis generally feel better and stronger for doing so. It may be possible to outturn depression with exercise according to an overview of a study conducted by JAMA psychiatry found here.
7 . Laughing
It is great to have a good laugh, but did you know that laughter is also a great medicine. Laughter draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter helps to boost your immune system, lowers stress hormones and decreases pain; it can also prevent heart disease. Aside from the physical benefits, laughter can help to fortify relationships, diffuse conflicts and enhances teamwork. Laughter also adds zest to life, strengthens resilience and relieves tension. In a word it’s good to laugh. Try to laugh every day and see the difference it will make.
8 . Journaling
It’s good to talk, but when you can’t talk you can write. Journaling allows you to reflect in detail and make plans to change, improve and simply relax more. When I was studying for my masters in Youth Work I was required to keep a reflective diary. The impact for me was immense. Through journaling about my practice as a youth worker I was more forgiving for my perceived mistakes in practice as on reflection I began to understand myself so much better. Journaling can help you get a hold of your feelings, thoughts and fears and give you the opportunity to see how far you have come.
9 . De-cluttering
I really do believe that an organised, clean space breeds productivity. De-cluttering your room or home is a great way to make a fresh start and move forward with your plans. When you de-clutter it also allows you to let go of past memories and even past pain that you may be holding on to through ‘stuff’. De-cluttering can help to reduce anxiety and stress and create an environment that allows you to thrive.
De-cluttering can also increase your bank balance, as you will find many things you no longer need that can be sold on, if they are in good condition. De-cluttering can also help to improve your sleep; with the newly found space of a clean organised room and less things to worry about due to less clutter, sleep will come a lot more easily.
So there you have it 9 easy ways to transform your life, let me know if you already do any of these thins or any other positive actions you o that help to transform your life for the better.
Check Out Some Of My Other Posts That Can Help To Transform Your Life
13 Ways To Practice Self Care At Work
An Introduction to Self Care Part 1
An Introduction to Self Care Part 2
