5 Small (But Highly Effective) Habits For Staying Well, Accomplishing More, And Living A Full Life

I bet your day look something like this: You wake up to the sound of your alarm and hit snooze a couple of times before getting dressed in a rush. Then you’re out the door to work, where you keep your nose to the grindstone for eight or more hours. Maybe after work you squeeze in a quick gym sesh, or grab drinks with that friend you haven’t seen in months. When you finally get home, you only have time to heat up a quick dinner before crashing on the couch. The next day, you do it all over again.

These days, “busy” is a badge of honor.

Whether it’s job obligations, kids, creative pursuits, or relationships — daily life can be a lot to manage. So it’s no wonder if you occasionally forget to take care of yourself.

That’s probably why self-care as a concept is so hot right now. It’s hard to go online without hearing about how fancy face masks can melt away stress, or how a daily bubble bath can completely change your perspective on life. In fact, in 2018, Google searches for the phrase “self-care” reached a decades-long high. And it doesn’t seem to be abating.

With all the wellness clutter out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and avoid it altogether.

But really, wellness is all about making small changes to your daily habits.

Take it from me. I’m the founder of a superfood company, and my schedule’s usually jam-packed with meetings, product planning, and more. But I always make time for my own wellbeing. And when I do, I’m happier, kinder, and more productive by miles.

Here are a few daily health to-dos I’ve found are both easy and effective:

1. Make sure you’re hydrating throughout the day.

Get this: you can live three weeks without food, but you can only live three days without water.

Beyond pure survival, hydration is also an essential component of everyday wellness. Even mild levels of dehydration have the potential to mess with your moods and brain power.

To make sure I’m adequately hydrated, the first thing I do in the morning — before I eat breakfast — is down a tall drink. It’s usually plain old water, but it varies based on how my body is feeling at the time and the time of year. Sometimes, I’ll add a little lemon or lime juice — both of which are high in vitamin C. Or I might add sea salt. Other times, I’ll heat things up with a glass of hot or lukewarm water, which is good for digestive function.

No matter how you take your water, the important thing is to hydrate early and often.

2. Work intention into each day.

It may sound a little woo-woo, but I always start my day by setting intentions. When I make gratitude and purpose a priority first thing in the morning, it helps me get in the right headspace to tackle the day.

Sitting meditation isn’t really my bag, so instead, I do a writing meditation of sorts. My mind has been cooking all night, so I serve it up on a plate as soon as I open my eyes, while it’s still fresh. If I’m in a hurry, I’ll jot down three tasks or projects I want to get done that day on a Post-It note. Three is a manageable number. I can tackle three things most any day.

It also helps to be outdoors in the early morning. For example, I like to start my day outside on my balcony. I use that time to really hone in on what I want to accomplish and focus on mindful breathing. Just three minutes of mindful breathing in the morning will wake you up better than the strongest cup of espresso.

There are many ways to practice mindfulness, but you have to make it a habit.

The main principle is to be in the moment and prepare your mind for the day ahead. If you can make a habit of it, you’ll find your thoughts are much clearer and more organized.

So Namaste, and you do you.

3. Keep track of your spending habits.

Do you know how much money you spend in a day? Most people have no idea.

Some daily habits add up. It could be the gum you buy at 7-Eleven each morning, the in-app purchases for that game you’re addicted to, or the amount you spend renting movies on Amazon.

You may not include these expenses in your budget because the amounts don’t seem that big of a deal, but eventually, your wallet will feel the pain.

Money problems are also one of the biggest sources of stress. But if you can get a handle on what you’re spending and when, you’ll be much more zen.

That’s why it’s good practice to start some sort of financial budgeting strategy right now. Once you get used to mindfully tracking your living expenses, you don’t have to do it every day — as long as you’re checking in regularly. Apps like Mint make it super easy.

So there’s really no excuse to ignore your spending.

4. Sleep better, not just longer.

Unfortunately, when things get hectic, sleep is the first habit to fall by the wayside.

But the connection between sleep and stress is a two-way street — just as stress interrupts sleep, lack of sleep can also cause stress. So if you have to choose between clocking a full eight hours and pulling an all-nighter to finish a project, pick sleep. You’ll be useless the next day without it.

First, you have to create the right environment for sleep, which is dark and cool. This helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm and keeps your sleep schedule consistent. Another tip to restore your circadian rhythm is to sync your goal-setting practice with the sunrise and sunset. Or just take a moment from your busy day to take these beautiful moments in.

It works a lot better than counting sheep.

And remember — it’s not just about how long you’re in bed, but also how well you’re sleeping. Even if you’re getting eight hours, but your heart rate may say otherwise. I use the Oura Ring to monitor my sleep and heart rate variability.

If you make high-quality sleep a habit, it will set the right tone for your day.

5. Find a physical activity you love, and do it most days.

How many times have you heard rave reviews about a trendy new exercise program and thought, “I have got to try that out?” So you buy the best gear, maybe Tweet about how psyched you are for the first class, and when the day comes, you realize that it’s not for you.

It’s all too easy to hop on a trend like hot yoga or CrossFit and then promptly lose the motivation to stick with it.

That doesn’t mean you’re lazy. Maybe your body is better suited to swimming or light cardio.

The key is to find a workout that you truly enjoy, and do it often. For me, it’s walking to work every day. I’m a huge proponent of low-level activities that don’t put too much strain on the body but keep your blood pumping — like yin yoga, brisk walking, and biking. And on the days when you have more energy, you can do high-intensity workouts at the gym or run uphill.

To achieve wellness, you don’t have to overhaul your entire life.

Because when it comes to being your best self, it’s the little habits that matter.