Move Onto A Better Lifestyle With These Tips

18-year-old Sara McGregor from California had picked up the habit of playing the guitar every morning. She enrolled in a $200 course and went about it enthusiastically. But after a few weeks and a lot of Instagram snaps with the guitar, the energy lost steam. She dropped the habit of playing the guitar. The instrument now collects dust in her bedroom.

This is the thing about habit – It requires a lot of willpower and a lot of discipline. This will help you convert a lifestyle change to a habit . It is interesting (and insightful) to note that habits and skills need to be built and cultivated over time; they cannot be rushed. Had Sara persevered in the above example, she would’ve definitely been able to master playing the guitar.

If you are up for it, then here are some lifestyle changes worth pursuing by making these habits a permanent part of your life:

• Walk

Even if you aren’t an avid exerciser, being born in this generation, or coming into it would require you to be engaged with some device or another, whether it is work or for entertainment.

Talking a walk in the morning or in the evening gives you some time to unplug, to relax your mind that is working so hard for you all the time. Not only does it contribute to boosting blood circulation, but it also releases a lot of tension that is either built up in the neck or mentally.

• Mental stimulation

Whether you start your day by reading the news, watching the news or even browsing through Facebook on your phone, think about how it impacts you for the rest of the day.

The first thing you do in the morning is how you are going to feel for the rest of the day. If you find the news too depressing, try finding apps that can curate the information you are interested in.

Think about subjects you like to read about, like exotic animals, writing prompts, or the latest innovations in astronomy. Start your day with something that mentally stimulates you.

• Bedtime

Scheduling is very important in creating habits . Having a standardized bedtime, 30 minutes prior to which you completely unplug from your devices, is a good way to feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning.

• Drink a glass of water in the morning

You must have read the benefits of drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning, even before brushing your teeth. It wakes up your digestive system and boosts your metabolism, and is far more effective at waking you up than having a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.

You can immediately see the difference on a day where you drink water and one where you don’t. The day you don’t you will find yourself feeling more sluggish. If you want to get fancy you can try putting lemon juice in the water, which helps hydrate your lymphs and boosts your immune system.

• Green leafies

You knew this was coming, but it’s as important as anything else on this list. Just a few additions to your diet , like lettuce, spinach or broccoli, can refresh your system in a whole new way.

• Create a healthier home

If you have a cluttered home, you already know where this is going. It is not enough just to clean and mop regularly, but you should also think about the kind of smell your home gives off.

A healthy home will always smell like a fresh mist of air or a breeze with woody notes. You can achieve the same effects with the help of an organic air freshener . A good air freshener brand will not only re-invigorate the people within the surroundings but its lingering fragrance will also give you peace of mind.

• Cut down on sugar

This is undoubtedly one of the most important points in this whole article. If you are not the kind of person who likes sweet things, then you are better off. But, for those who love consuming sugary products, consider cutting down. You will find yourself feeling less sluggish and actually losing weight.

Although this should be reason enough, also consider that sugar is directly related to diabetes , obesity and heart disease. This isn’t to say that you should cut sugar out of your diet completely, it is that excess amounts can be harmful to the body. So simply cutting down can improve your quality of life significantly.

• Plan a break day

Whether it is exercise or learning an instrument, remember to schedule days that you won’t do it. This is because when starting a new habit, your body will automatically run out of willpower to continue doing it daily.

Instead of allowing this to happen naturally, take control and decide a day that you will take a break from the new habit so that you can refill on willpower.

• Take five minutes for yourself

Whether it is work, or socializing, remember to take five minutes to focus on breathing when you feel overwhelmed. This simple habit can reduce anxiety and get rid of stress at critical moments.

• Unplug

This is probably one of the hardest habits you can choose to pursue, but one that comes with many benefits. Schedule when you will use your phone and when you won’t. If you are engaged in an activity and think you might get distracted, switch off your phone for that one hour.

Having trouble sleeping because you can’t stop looking at your phone? Switch it off 30 minutes before going to bed. This helps you focus and clear your mind.

To conclude

These life-changing habits leave a positive impact on a person. Try it out, start slow, and persevere, and you will see the massive positive impact it has on your lifestyle.