10 Simple Habits That Will Change Your Life

1. Smile more

A simple smile has more influence on your day and others than you may think. Smiling improves your mood and you can even trick yourself into feeling better. Next time you are upset and frowning force yourself into smiling, it will make you feel better.

2. Wake up early

This was a hard one for me but probably one of the most life-changing. I used to sleep in until noon and would wake up with half my day wasted. Once I turned off my snooze button and set a routine for my mornings it became less challenging. By waking up early you are giving yourself more time in your day to accomplish the things you need to get done. This also provides more time to hang out, chill, and have fun!

3. Name three things you’re thankful for

Keeping a gratitude journal or just pondering about what you are grateful for each day can make a drastic change in your thoughts. By focusing on the good in your life will shut down any negativity and remind you to be thankful for those great things. Doing this has proven to help with depression and can even make you more enjoyable to be around because you are staying positive!

4. Read

Life gets crazy and it might seem like you don’t have enough time to read. But just by setting aside 15 minutes a day to read a chapter or 10 pages can help you in several ways. Reading keeps your brain activated and engaged. It also has been shown to improve focus and mental stimulation. Plus, you are always gaining some type of knowledge by everything you read.

5. Drink water

Most people are consistently dehydrated, do not be like them. We are supposed to drink half a gallon of water each day, I suggest to drink a glass right when you wake up. Also, try to limit your soda and other sugary drink intakes. Drinking water will flush out any toxins and can increase energy. This will lead you to feel better throughout your day, I noticed a large difference when I cut down to just one soda a week.

6. Meditate

With a frequent practice, meditation has been proven to reduce stress. Anxiety is very common among many people in this world and by forming a new habit to relax the body and mind will do nothing less than help you. Not only will this reduce stress but it can help with mindfulness and sleep.

7. Exercise

Getting exercise does not just mean the gym, there are a variety of ways to get in your workout. Exercising makes feel-good chemicals called “endorphins” release into your body, sparking a euphoric feeling. Along with this, it can help build confidence, energize you, and relieve stress. Not to mention, it’s good for your health and you will look great and in shape if you do this on the daily!

8. Educate yourself

I have heard people say that they are done learning now that they finished school. I disagree. By learning something new each day you are expanding your knowledge and can use what you learn later on. The more education you have the more likely you are going to know what to do in a certain situation. Everything you learn can be used in some way or another.

9. Invest in experiences

New materials are only exciting until you adapt to them. You will have a deeper connection with your experiences because they are a part of you, unlike any object. They are also memorable and keep your house cleaner because you won’t have as much stuff! I have been cutting down on how much materials I buy and instead I invest in experiences, I appreciate it more.

11. Forgive

By forgiving someone, you are moving forward in your life. This can release you from misery and from holding onto the past. Forgiveness has helped me with living in the moment. Instead of holding onto grudges and disappointments, I have used this time to focus on more beneficial things that can improve my life instead of bringing it down.