If you’re looking to change your life, it might seem daunting to have to create brand-new habits all at once. However, research has shown that you can actually change your behavior by doing something small on a daily basis.
The key is to use what’s called the micro habit method, which requires you to focus on one tiny habit at a time and make that habit so small that it only takes one or two minutes of your day. This will allow you to change your behavior in small chunks and ensure that you actually keep up with the changes in your daily routine!
1. Taking Responsibility
Making a conscious effort to stop blaming others for your problems will leave you feeling happier, more fulfilled, and in control of your life. We spend far too much time making excuses or placing blame on external factors for our failures, when ultimately it’s up to us whether we succeed or fail.
It’s time to take responsibility for what happens in your life. In order to achieve something special in life, there are certain habits that you need to form and other aspects that you need to release from your character. The following list contains 5 simple habits that will change your life.
More often than not, our failure to follow through on good intentions boils down to one thing: We’re just plain lazy. But that doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker.
In fact, we can become motivated to take action simply by understanding that procrastination isn’t an inherited flaw, but rather a learned habit. So are you ready to learn how? These five micro habits will help you get started and forever change your approach to taking responsibility for yourself.
Don’t just go through life with whatever will be, will be the attitude. For one thing, that’s impossible; nothing in life is truly out of your control, and you can choose to stop or start something at any time.
You may not realize it now, but every second that goes by makes you more responsible for where you are right now and what happens next.
2. Exercise daily
Exercise improves physical health, but it also improves mental health, says Diana Moran, Ph.D., a sports psychologist who counsels professional and Olympic athletes. You feel better about yourself. You have more confidence.
And for some people with ADHD, exercise can improve focus and concentration. If you’re not moving around as much as you’d like, try adding these micro-habits to your daily routine:
Every 15 minutes, stand up and do jumping jacks or walk in place for a minute; when you make dinner or watch TV, pace while talking on your cell phone; keep both hands moving while on your computer keyboard.
Not only does exercise help us lose weight and stay fit, it also helps increase our brainpower. Studies have shown that people who exercise on a regular basis have more energy and are more alert than those who don’t.
If you’re looking to improve your memory or make time for more in-depth learning, adding exercise to your day can help. The next time you need an extra boost, head out for a jog!
Every person needs to exercise on a daily basis. Our body is like a car that needs maintenance and proper care. Exercise gives us energy and increases our blood circulation, making it easier for us to get rid of diseases and stress, thus helping us lead healthier lives.
Even if you are busy with work or school, don’t forget to exercise at least once or twice a week. The more you do it, the better your results will be!
3. Routines
We all have the routines that we do every day. Whether it be brushing your teeth, taking a shower, or cooking dinner. Whatever it is, it can always be better.
Routines tend to be pretty inflexible, so they don’t take into account what you want to do on a day-to-day basis. Instead of having one routine for every day of your life, try breaking your routine up into smaller habits that are more malleable and moldable to how you want your day to go.
We’re creatures of habit, and in some ways, that can work against us. After all, if we have a routine that works for us — like getting up at 5 am to exercise before work every day — it makes sense to stick with it. But routines are also limiting. You may get stuck in a lifestyle that doesn’t make you happy or keep your skills sharp.
Finding one daily or weekly routine to establish can help you develop a series of habits over time. Find one that works for you, whether it’s running, reading, or something else.
Make it something you enjoy — doing things we like is easier than doing things we don’t like to do! This way, your routine will become part of your life instead of just something that takes up your time.
And chances are if you start out with a hobby as a hobby and slowly change your perspective on it until it becomes your job, then someday soon you’ll be passionate about what you do. Believe me when I say that passion doesn’t just happen. It is an acquired skill and must be worked at constantly.
4. Learn something new daily,
learning something new every day doesn’t mean you have to make a big change in your life. It can be as simple as learning a new fact, skill, or word.
According to Richard Wiseman, author of The Luck Factor and psychologist at Hertfordshire University, one way to become luckier is to force yourself to learn one new thing each day.
Here are some suggestions: learn how to make instant coffee from scratch; figure out your astrological sign, or learn how Google Translate works.
Just keep it simple and fun. Don’t get frustrated if you can’t remember everything you learned — whether you fail or succeed, it counts! *Source: Wiseman, R., Luck Factor.
While it may sound daunting, learning something new on a daily basis is a simple and effective way to change your life. You don’t have to go extreme — you can start by simply adding another vegetable to your diet or learning about time management skills.
Whatever you choose, give yourself an hour of free time in which you study one new subject. When your hour is up, it’s done — no more study for today!
If you add one new thing to your life each day, in a year’s time you will have learned 365 new things.
5. Spend time outside every day,
There are lots of healthy activities you can do that don’t require you to actually get off your butt. But even small amounts of exercise have been shown to improve mental health, as well as make us feel better about ourselves and our bodies.
Set aside just 15 minutes a day to get outside and get moving, even if it’s just walking around your neighborhood or taking a quick run through an open green space. If you’re looking for more ideas on ways to sneak in exercise during busy days, check out these 10 micro-habit tips for busy people.
Spend time outside every day by exploring your neighborhood, taking in a park, or hiking. In doing so, you’ll be giving yourself more exposure to sunlight — but be careful not to burn!
Short bursts of the sun are good for you, but too much can damage your skin and lead to cancer. Sunscreen lotion with an SPF of at least 30 is necessary when spending extended periods of time outdoors. If possible, stay inside during peak hours (11am-4pm) when UV rays are strongest.
While it’s certainly good to keep tabs on your vitals and make sure you’re eating enough, getting outside is a necessity for your overall health. Whether you take a brisk walk around your neighborhood.
Play with your dog in a local park, or simply sit on your stoop for 10 minutes every day, and get out into nature for at least 10 minutes every day. It will clear your head, boost concentration and make you more creative — not to mention give you a break from emails and distractions.
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