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Where do you begin if you want to improve your health? Should you visit a dietician or go on a cleanse? Purchase a teacher or enroll in a yoga studio?
Start tiny if it all seems overwhelming and you’re unsure of where to go. You don’t have to make major life changes all at once. By adding any of these 10 healthy habits to your everyday routine, you can start living a healthier lifestyle. They all have excellent health benefits and only require a few minutes.
What Are Micro Habits?
Micro habits are small, regular behaviors that help you achieve significant outcomes. They are simple to integrate into your life because they are time- and space-efficient and small. If you’ve ever attempted to keep a New Year’s resolution, you are aware of how challenging it can be. Micro habits, however, aren’t difficult; rather, they’re small victories that help you stay inspired.
These small alterations brought about by these micro habits can have a significant long-term impact. It is simpler to adopt new, fruitful habits when only minor living changes are made.
To break bad behaviors, use micro habits. Over time, the changes start to feel normal and become a routine aspect of your day. Whether your objectives are to get out of debt, get in shape, or get creative, here are a few micro habits to try if you’re ready to improve your life.
Micro Habits To Try
1. Focus On Your Breathing
The ease and movement of your breath are disturbed when you’re anxious. Because your body is capable of handling the extra work, you might not even notice these minor disruptions. However, resuming regular respiration gives you more stamina and attention.
You can attempt a variety of breathing exercises, though some might take longer to complete. A simple exercise that is effective at reducing tension quickly is belly breathing.
This is how you do it: Place one palm on your belly, just below the ribs, and the other on your chest while sitting or lying comfortably. Inhale deeply through your nostrils, allowing your belly to push your hand away from your body (your chest shouldn’t move during this). You feel the palm on your mouth as you exhale through pursed lips. Repeat three to 10 times, and remember to go slow.
2. Drink A Glass Of Water First Thing In The Morning
Although it’s crucial for our health to stay hydrated, many of us are guilty of reaching for a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Break that habit and substitute a glass of water first thing in the morning.
Place it on your nightstand or the sink counter in the restroom. In addition to your early alarm, set a reminder. As you prepare your morning coffee, sip on a tumbler of water as well. You’ll experience the advantages of beginning your day with a little hydration for hours to come and will be more likely to refill that glass throughout the day.
Optimally switch ice water for warm lemon water. Warm lemon water improves nutrition, eases digestion, and reduces inflammation. Lemons are rich in soluble fiber and vitamin C, which enhances their health advantages. Adding lemons to water is an excellent method to take advantage of the health benefits of this fruit since we rarely eat lemons whole.
Related Post: Health Benefits Of Drinking Lemon Water Daily
3. Meditate
In order to improve present-moment awareness, lower stress levels, encourage relaxation, and foster personal and spiritual development, meditation is the practice of paying close attention to a sound, object, visualization, breath, movement, or attention itself.
Meditation is known to have a wealth of advantages for your mental health, from improving self-awareness to improved stress management.
Start small, with one minute, if you want to make meditation a habit but find it difficult to sit still, focus, or clear your thoughts. Soon you’ll be able to extend that period to 5, 10, or even 20 minutes, but for now? You can still profit from a brief period of silence.
4. Slow Down Your Chewing
Eating habits are just as significant as what you consume. Poor nutrient uptake, bloating, and indigestion can result from improper chewing of food.
The longer you chew, the longer the food is exposed to saliva, which aids in breaking it down so that it can be more easily absorbed by your body. Additionally, more careful chewing keeps your teeth strong and reduces plaque buildup.
By chewing carefully, you can develop mindful eating. It slows down eating so you can gauge your appetite and fullness levels more accurately. To practice slowing down your eating and chewing, put your fork down between bites.
5. Try A Five Minute Journal
Your mental health will significantly benefit from the practice of journaling. It can be incredibly therapeutic to get your ideas down on paper; it can also assist you in overcoming obstacles and gaining insightful insight.
Start small if you’re having trouble developing a journaling habit or if you’ve never attempted. Get a notepad, and commit to writing for five minutes. Set a timer for five minutes, with no subject or required number of pages, and scribble down whatever comes to mind.
Your daily journaling session will soon become something you look forward to, and you won’t need a timer to remind you when to end. You can check out these writing questions to get you going.
6. Take Movement Breaks
No, your morning workout does not cut it because your body needs movement to survive. Regular movement throughout the day can reduce stiffness, promote blood flow, increase energy, sharpen concentration, and burn more calories.
According to studies, there is a two-way highway in the relationship between the brain and the body. Daily physical activity and exercise can alter how your brain functions. Because there is such a thing as “sitting disease,” you should get up and move around at least once every 30 minutes if you want to live longer.
Your risk of developing heart disease can be decreased by taking these brief pauses.
7. Tidy Up As You Go
Some of us are extremely organized, while others battle with clutter. Create a micro habit of putting items away after you’ve used them if the latter applies to you. Start small by making a commitment to just one thing at a time. For instance, when you get home and take off your coat, hang it up on a chair or place it back in the closet. Or place your plates in the dishwasher after use rather than leaving them on the counter.
Alternatively, adopt a different strategy and establish a micro-habit of cleaning your area for five minutes every day. Make as much progress as you can before the timer goes off while listening to your favorite music or podcast. Developing decluttering habits will keep your house clean and promote greater relaxation.
8. Read Daily
Want to develop a habit of reading but find it difficult to complete a book? Create a micro routine of reading one or two pages per day to break it up into smaller, more manageable pieces. You won’t spend more than a few minutes doing it, and you’ll still be moving closer to your objective of eventually finishing that book.
When you’re ready, you can increase that page count without feeling overly stressed, distracted, or bored. Give it a few weeks, and you’ll find yourself looking forward to settling down with your book and making some progress.
9. Get Some Fresh Air
Since 2020, we have spent more time inside. Make time each day to step away from electronics and enjoy some fresh air.
Opening a window and taking a few minutes to listen to nature could count as this micro-habit. Alternatively, if you have a little more time, go for a quick stroll through your neighborhood. If you don’t make an effort to spend time outside frequently, you may lose out on some of the many advantages that the outdoors has to offer.
10. Set Intentions
You need to have a clear intention when you want to initiate a new healthy habit or step outside of your comfort zone. Establishing intentions is a potent mindfulness technique that is distinct from establishing goals. Intentions are principles to follow, whereas goals are specific targets to achieve.
Every action you take in life can have a purpose. Make a conscious effort to consume mindfully before you begin. Connect to your purpose prior to working out. What are you trying to accomplish, think to yourself?
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