If you are looking to change your life, these are habits you should certainly try.

Back in my college days, I live by habits and routines, but they were mostly school-based as opposed to life-based. I had my study schedule down pat and lived the rest of my life according to class schedules and deadlines. Post college we are left with a whole new world and life circumstance of which we need to invent habits and schedules around. Now having been in a variety of work circumstances, I have discovered that habits are a way to help establish the life you want to be living.

There are many scientists and researchers out there who state that we as human being run on autopilot to some extent if you will in that almost everything, we do in a day is at least partially unconscious. The habits and routines we have create the rhythms of our lives because that us what is designed to do. Our brains look for trends such as if we eat popcorn while watching Netflix at night, you will slowly condition yourself to crave popcorn while watching Netflix. The same could be said if we are stressed out. Our habitual go-to that is partly unconscious could be going to the word, seeking comforting food, journaling, working out, or whatever we have conditioned it to be.

Ultimately, the routine and habits you have created will either consciously or unconsciously lead to who you are and the life you want to live depending on the thought and intentionality put into your habits.

These habits may very well change your life because tiny actions such as these will ultimately have a compounding effect on who you believe yourself to be which ultimately determines who we actually are.

Habits That Will Change Your Life

Personal Growth

• Get up to your alarm and don’t lounge around in bed delaying getting a start to your day.
• Read for fun and read often – reading has been known to change your physical brain instruction allowing us to become more empathetic, remember details better, and explore and think through different thoughts and possibilities better than before.
• Journal – just have a journal you keep with you or a notes tab on your phone. It can help you process thoughts and feelings and may help you to find more joy in your life by looking for the little things to be grateful for and remember each and every day.
• Schedule time with yourself on at least a weekly basis to slow down and be present with your thoughts.

Health & Wellbeing

• Move your body each and every day in some capacity.
• Plan your meals in advance.
• Write down your grocery list before heading to the store.
• Drink water first thing in the morning.

Professional Habits

• Write your to-do list the day before whenever possible.
• Set professional goals and discuss them with your supervisor.
• Prioritize your tasks, starting with the hardest. Your brain is only capable of so much before decision fatigue sets in, thus start with the most intensive tasks first.
• Update your resume regularly. As the years progress, your skills and scope of work will change. As these changes occur if you keep your resume updated there is no last-minute scrambling to remember every important thing to include.

Relationships

• Stick to having a weekly date night. I promise you this should be a non-negotionable.
• Manage and eliminate expectations of your significant other, friends, and family.
• Have a good long hug with those you love. There is even research to back that hugging your significant other for 60 seconds can boost oxytocine and dopamine making yourself feels happy and cozy/relaxed.
• At least once a week initiate conversations or plans with friends.
• Show your partner love in their love language each and everyday.
• Go on walks with your partner at least once a week.

Thank you for reading and if you try any of these out, please let me know what you think! As always, I hope you have a happy and wholesome day!