In 2009, a study by a health psychologist researcher at the University College London, Philippa Lally, revealed that it takes the average person 66 days to form a habit. However, the number varies — between 18 to 254 days when factors such as age, resources, type of habit, and determination are considered.
If you’re anything like me, I’m pretty sure you’re already feeling overwhelmed at the thought of developing a new habit in 254 long days. So, I devised a plan to make small, bearable changes in my life. Soon enough, I began to form positive habits without even trying. Here’s how I improved my life.
#5 – Develop Routines
Finding consistency through morning or evening routines is the best way to save time and energy. It also helps to identify repetitive actions and provides a way to plan ahead. Establishing routines helps to cultivate positive daily habits, create a better stress management system, and prioritize self-care. Additionally, it helps to eradicate bad habits, stress, and anxiety which puts a strain on our mental health.
#4 – Set Priorities
It’s overwhelming to have too many tasks. When care is not given, is turns into an endless cycle “to-do” and not enough “completed.” This is why it’s important to set priorities – – from your daily tasks to goals. To do that, you need to identify your goals. Categorize things by urgency, importance, wants, and needs. Establishing priorities will help you to have a good time management system and organizational skills.
#3 – Learn To Say No
Sometimes you have to put your foot down and say no. Don’t stretch yourself too thin for the pleasure of others. You have to learn to be direct; swap “no problem” with “it’s not a good time for me,” and “yes” with “I’ll think about it,” if you need some time to evaluate. Saying yes to everybody around you can induce stress and anxiety which can lead to headaches, depression, high blood pressure and heart failure.
#2 – Sweat It Out
This step will improve your health and have you feeling incredible in no time. Don’t be in a hurry: Remember that it takes time to form a habit so, start small. To set off, try simple, living room workouts. A few include, jumping jacks, butt kicks, crunches, squats, push-ups, burpees, and mountain climbers. You can find easy, at-home workouts on Pinterest and YouTube that guarantee a good, sweaty session.
#1 – Organization Is Key
Start by organizing your home and work space. One of the easiest ways to declutter your surroundings and have a consistently clean home is to have a place for everything. Use multifunctional tables, place keys on hooks, hang your pots and pans, make use of mason jars, reorganize your closet, donate or sell items, and clean your bedroom. By taking this small step, you’ll start to feel good about yourself.