8 Powerful Habits to Change Your Life in 2024
Category Lifestyle
Small habits can have a big impact on your life, but creating those habits, finding those outlets, and letting inspiration take hold can be tough! Life can be hectic, but incorporating these habits or similar concepts into your daily routine can significantly impact your overall mental well-being and success.
In this piece, we look at eight simple habitual changes that can revitalise and re-energise your outlook on life.
1 - Daily planning
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Deadlines, commitments, work assignments, and obligations to loved ones take centre-stage in adult life. Sometimes, we become frazzled and overwhelmed and lose track of what we need to prioritise. If this is you, have you ever considered simply planning your day?
When you create a schedule, prioritise what needs to be addressed urgently, and, most importantly, leave room for the unexpected, you take a significant weight off your shoulders. Planning your day allows you to regain control while significantly reducing anxiety. Being organised also makes you more accountable. But remember, be sure not to plan too much, or you'll break that routine and fall back into feeling overwhelmed.
2 - Stay hydrated
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Water is more than just a free ticket to clear skin and more energy; it's essential for maintaining your health. Drinking a healthy daily dose of water not only improves your mood but is also excellent for digestion, especially as you age.
Neglecting to drink water throughout the day in favour of coffee and fizzy drinks can often lead to reduced cognition, negative moods, fatigue and frustration. Most people are aware of this, yet despite the obvious benefits, still aren't nearly as hydrated as they should be.
According to data collected from MediClinic, almost 70% of adults in South Africa suffer from chronic dehydration, drinking anywhere from 1 to 2 cups of water a day. The recommended daily average is between 4 and 6
Simply staying hydrated can impact and improve so many aspects of your life, so don't neglect your H2O!
3 - Take enough breaks
Image Source: health.harvard.edu
We've all been there. That feeling when you simply cannot see how you'll get through the day when work is piling up, and there seems to be no end in sight. You feel you can't get anything done and have negative thoughts induced by procrastination.
Maybe you need to rest more? Believe it or not, a quick power nap can do wonders for your mental prowess and productivity levels. And let's face it, who doesn't love a good mood boost? All these feelings of frustration and as though you're being stretched thin is your body telling you that you need to rest.
According to studies at the University of Cleveland, Ohio, those 7 - 8 hours of rest you need a day don't need to be consecutive. So feel free to take those hours during the day when necessary. Keep your naps to 30 minutes max, or risk sleeping through the day!
4 - Digital detox
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Our phones, tablets, and various other devices constantly expose our brains to a deluge of information. Ever heard of doom scrolling? This phenomenon is referred to as "brain overload."
According to neuroscientist Dr Daniel Levitin, our brains are in a constant state of distraction. This leads to us making impulsive and often poor decisions during critical moments. Now, we live in a digital age where daily devices and the distractions of the World Wide Web are inevitable.
However, none of this means we shouldn't detox ourselves from screen time. Reducing our tech cravings and not jumping to answer every text in the nick of time is important for us to practice being present and in the moment. This is essential for our overall well-being and enhances our social connections. Nothing is more frustrating to certain people than spending time with someone buried in their phone. Engaging face-to-face with others is the bedrock of human social interaction. Let's try not to lose it!
5 - Be a nature lover
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Have you ever heard the saying "It's time to touch some grass"? While often used as a reality check, the phrase is tossed towards people who spend too much time locked in their basements and stuck in social media echo chambers that warp their perceptions of the world outside.
According to the American Heart Association, going outside improves your mood, reduces stress, and restores your connection to the natural world. You don't have to be an outdoors person to appreciate the benefits of simply stepping outside and getting some fresh air. This is especially true in an age where working indoors, and often from home, has become a daily attribute.
Get involved in social activities such as your local parkrun, and be amazed at how much you can achieve by simply being there, meeting new people, and experiencing nature as intended.
Twice or thrice a month. You won't regret it!
6 - Daily Kindness
Image Source: everydayhealth.com
We can all agree that the world is a place where there is simply no such thing as "too much love." Can you think of a time in your life when a total stranger showed you kindness? In that instant, how did you feel? Did you feel as though it was important to pass that good deed on to another?
According to a research paper published in the American Psychological Association, kindness has been shown to improve one's self-esteem, empathy, levels of compassion, and also their mood. In meta-analysis over a decade of research, kindness is shown to lead to a happier outlook on life for ourselves.
So if being kind to someone is easy, why not simply make a habit of it?
7 - Embrace imperfection
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There is a style of pottery art in Japan where artists will find destroyed or broken pieces of pottery and restore them with gold or silver lining. Referred to as "Kintsukuroi", this practice comes with the understanding that each restored piece is seen as more beautiful for having once been broken, but now more than it was before.
Perfection is a goal most people tend to strive for. But while we seek this ever-elusive attribute, we find ourselves straining to maintain the high standards we set for ourselves. Perfection is often related to higher levels of anxiety, stress and burnout. Embracing imperfection is a philosophy that allows you to focus on PROGRESS and doing things better each day instead of shooting for the pinnacle of our evolution.
It's important to give yourself room to grow, make mistakes, and, most importantly, not chastise yourself unnecessarily for being human. There is no need to be perfect; often, life can be more fulfilling if you simply embrace, recognise, and appreciate your beautiful imperfections.
8 - Journaling
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On the outside, journaling might seem like an odd occasion where you scribble thoughts, moments, and ideas into a book. But those who do so can attest that journaling holds a deeper meaning when you take the time to get into it.
Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and how you perceive your daily interactions goes a long way to improving your self-awareness. Introspection is key to unpacking events and social interactions in your daily routine. Allowing you to fully digest and comprehend these moments to better understand your place in the world. You can see patterns in your behaviour and create a deeper connection with your subconscious.
On the surface level, this process is incredibly stress-relieving. It allows you to improve not only your memory but also provides much-needed clarity and purpose in your life.
So, what habits would you like to incorporate into your life? Do you perhaps already do some of these activities? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and remember that life is only as complicated as you let it be. Control and self-improvement are journeys you can take if you choose to do so.
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Author: Bryce Anderson