There are three types of habits. There are neutral habits that don’t affect your life in a pivotal way. Another type is bad habits that are detrimental to you and the quality of your life. The last type is good habits that make your life a whole lot better. Out of all these habits, it is obvious that you want to cultivate the good ones. So if you feel like your life could use some good transformation, then here are nine habits that can change your life for the better.
A great problem people are facing these days is debt. One of the major causes of debt is uncontrolled spending which is more extensive if you have a credit card. You should make a habit of paying in cash for most of your purchases so that you can control the amount of money coming out of your account. Once you no longer have cash to pay, you stop buying. This gives you more control over your finances thus slowly eliminating debt.
Turning off unused lights is one of the most basic things we learn growing up. We should turn off lights when we go out of a room even for a couple of minutes. This habit gives you a two-fold benefit of helping the environment and saving money on your energy bills. Make a habit of this and be an example to everyone in your household.
Water is one of the things that keep us alive and healthy. So it’s puzzling why people aren’t drinking more of it. If you make a habit of drinking water, along with other healthy habits, you will see a big change in your mind and body. You will have better digestion, healthier skin, hair, organs, and a more efficient cooling system. You will also feel more energized and alert throughout the day.
Exercise is not something you do only when you feel like you need to lose some weight. Regular exercise, even just 30 minutes a day, can help you have a better overall quality of life. In addition to the health and weight loss benefits, exercise also helps you feel relaxed and happier; it makes you self-confident, positive, determined, and mentally strong. Exercise is also a great time to reflect and brainstorm.
Sleep, though it seems like a very unproductive activity, is necessary and key to having a healthy mind and body. Sleep helps refresh and rejuvenate your body so your systems function better. Good and adequate sleep helps with memory retention, thus helping your mind function better. Make getting enough sleep a habit so that you will feel healthier and happier.
This is a habit that I learned from Leo Babauta of Zen Habits. Single tasking, which is the opposite of multi-tasking, is the habit of focusing and accomplishing one task before moving on to the next. When you do this, you feel less stressed. And by focusing on one task at a time, you are more likely to perform more efficiently and achieve better results.
Journal or diary writing is not just for school girls. It is a habit that everyone can benefit from no matter what your age. You can consider journaling as a time for you to relax, reflect, and empty your mind. Regular journaling can really help you feel calmer, happier, and more connected to your soul.
I would consider meditating or praying (if you are religious) a similar habit to journaling. It is not always as easy to get into either of these habits but when you do, the benefits you reap are endless. You are less prone to stress, worry, and negative emotions. You also feel happier and more relaxed. Because you are in a better state of mind and spirit, you are able to concentrate more on the things that matter to you.
In coming up with this post, I almost forgot to include positive thinking as a habit that can change your life. When you make positive thinking a habit, you set yourself up for success in other aspects of your life. Positive thinking leads to better motivation and determination when you feel like quitting or when you are discouraged.
Before I close this post, here’s a quote that will give you an idea about the power of habits: “First we make our habits, then our habits make us.” (Charles C. Noble). I hope that has inspired you to develop some of these habits that can change your life for the better. If you have any other ideas or habits, please take time to share them in our comments section.
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