Building up good habits is one of the keys to a happy and healthy life - especially when you are going after big goals. While it might take some time for your habits to become truly habitual, you can start today and in just a few weeks be reaping the benefits.
It takes roughly two months for a habit to become second nature, but the earlier you start, the sooner it will be a natural part of your life. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1) Make someone else’s day
Go out of your way to give compliments to strangers or do something nice for someone you don’t know. It can be as small as telling them their outfit looks good, or paying it forward at your local coffee shop by picking up the tab for the person behind you.
Seeing someone else’s face light up doesn’t just do them good, but it will also add some extra sparkle to your day. Soon you will be looking forward to this small daily habit of spreading kindness in the world.
2) Reset” every day
Be kind to your future self by resetting your home every night before bed. This could include tidying up, running the dishwasher, wiping down the counters, and laying out clothes for the next day. If you have an automatic coffee machine, you can set the coffee maker timer so you wake up to freshly brewed coffee.
Having all of these tasks in place will get your day off to a flying start and sets you in the perfect rhythm to enjoy the rest of your day.
3) Talk to yourself
While it might sound a bit wild, talking to yourself can actually help you solve problems, think clearly, and reduce stress. In one study, researchers discovered that people could better understand and visualize their problems, making them easier to solve.
It also turns out that it’s even more beneficial to talk about yourself in the third person. Crazy, right!? According to another recent study, people who say their own names out loud can think more clearly and regulate their emotions with ease, as it encourages them to detach from the situation and see things from a different perspective.
4) Make time to complain
Of course, everything should be done in moderation, but this study from 2014 revealed that people who complained with the goal of finding a solution were happier than people who complained simply for the sake of it. That means that complaining can actually serve a purpose, so make sure your complaining is relevant and aimed at the right people – and it could turn your day around!
5) Smell the orange
Orange juice isn’t just delicious, but it’s also packed full of health benefits, such as vitamin D and other nutrients. What’s more, even just smelling an orange before juicing it is also believed to be good for you!
Several studies suggest that the scent of orange can help people reduce their stress and relax, so squeezing an orange and smelling it before you drink it could help you get your day off to a good start in more ways than one.
What do you think of these five habits? I bet they’re not quite what you expected! I hope this helps you gain a fresh perspective on some habits that could change your life for the better in 2023.
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