You Need To Master These Five Basic Habits
Before you try any “miracle” routine
I’m constantly reading articles about “six habits that will change your life” or “four things you have to do to be successful,” and they’re usually something along the lines of “wake up at 5 AM, exercise for two hours, eat only vegetables and nothing else, write six articles a day while also working a nine to five”…you get the idea.
I’m not saying I don’t enjoy these articles. I always read them because one day, I hope I can create these habits for myself. I want to be successful, and I want to be healthy and happy, but I’m just not in a place in my life right now; where I can do a complete overhaul of my routine.
So my advice is to start with mastering some everyday habits that everyone should be doing. Then, you’ll have the confidence to face the bigger goals that will lead to success and happiness. Don’t try to change your life until you’re doing these five basic things in your sleep.
Floss Every Day
You have to start flossing people! This may not be something that will build your career or improve your happiness (although it will decrease your happiness one day when your teeth fall out). But you can’t deny that it’s something many of us don’t do. And it’s pretty freakin’ important!
Why is flossing an essential habit? I’ll let Healthline answer.
“By flossing and brushing your teeth, you’re removing plaque and the bacteria in it that feeds on sugar and particles of food that remain in your mouth after eating.
When the bacteria feed, they release an acid that can eat away at your enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth) and cause cavities.”
So before you try and master the Dalai Lama’s five-hour morning routine, spend two minutes flossing. Once you start, you’ll actually notice that your teeth feel better. And you’ll be proactively saving yourself thousands of dollars on dental bills, a ton of awkward conversations with your hygenist, and the pain and discomfort of gum disease.
Get Enough Sleep
At this point, we all know how important sleep is. All adults should be getting between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. Lack of sleep has been linked to several health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. Studies also show that it could even lead to cancer and premature death.
So try to set a bedtime for yourself. If you’re trying out a new morning routine that requires a 5 AM wake-up, you better be going to bed at 9 PM the night before.
Try these tips for getting enough sleep:
- Set a bedtime alarm
- Avoid caffeine after 12 PM
- Don’t look at screens a half hour before bed
- Read in bed to wind down
- Don’t drink too much alcohol
- Do a quick meditation or stretch
Keep Your House Clean
You might not realize it, but your cluttered house is stressing you out. According to a 2010 study, women who perceive their home as cluttered have higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, during the day and at night, when cortisol usually decreases. Clutter significantly decreases your quality of life, but it’s an easy problem to fix.
Start with some spring cleaning. Take a page out of Marie Condo’s book and get rid of anything that doesn’t bring you joy. Then, find a designated place for everything. Buy closet organizers, kitchen organizers, all kinds of organizers. Who doesn’t love a trip to the container store!
Once your space is neat and tidy, keep it that way. Follow Gretchen Rubin’s “one minute rule.” If something takes one minute or less, like hanging your coat up or putting a dish in the dishwasher, do it right away. Don’t wait until you have 30 one-minute tasks built up for the end of the day when you’re feeling tired and unmotivated.
Stay Hydrated
75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. That’s way too many! Especially because water is the body’s most essential nutrient. Dehydration is detrimental to your mental and physical health. According to the Happy Health Journal,
If you’re dehydrated, your body won’t be able to process foods, produce energy, or regulate body temperature. Even mild dehydration causes a drop in energy.
You should aim to drink half your body weight in water every day. I weigh 126lb, so my daily goal is 63 ounces.
If you’re not meeting your goal, make a conscious effort to increase your water intake. Set alarms on your phone every hour to drink a glass. Keep a full water bottle next to your desk every day. Make your water more interesting with some lemon or cucumber. Do whatever you need to make hydration a habit.
Move Your Body
I’m not saying you need to run a marathon, but getting in a little bit of movement every day, even if it’s from cooking or doing chores, is essential for well-being.
Exercise offers incredible benefits that can improve nearly every aspect of your health from the inside out. Regular physical activity can increase the production of hormones that make you feel happier and help you sleep better. It can also improve your skin’s appearance, help you lose weight and keep it off, lessen the risk of chronic disease and improve your sex life. — Healthline
Whether you prefer low-intensity, HIIT, or playing basketball with your friends, any type of exercise works. The benefits are undeniable — it’s time to make exercise a priority.
The Bottom Line
Before you try and completely overhaul your daily routine in favor of big shifts that will “change your life,” you need to master a few basic habits. Once you have these essentials on autopilot, then you’re ready to move on to bigger and better things. And if you’re already doing them, great! You’re ready to try the Billionaire Morning.
