“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters” – Colin Powell.

Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of bad habits? Are you ever under the impression that some habits are holding you back? Are you looking to make habits that can help lead a happy, healthy, and prosperous life?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, know you are not alone. We all have bad habits that we want to eliminate for good. I do, too!

Whether it’s about waking up early every morning at the same time or exercising every day, it can be tricky. On top of that, it can be challenging to know which habits will truly impact our lives positively in the long run.

What is a habit? A habit is defined as an acquired behaviour that becomes involuntary over time. It’s basically that subconscious action that you always perform following a trigger. It could be as simple as brushing your teeth first thing in the morning when your alarm goes off, exercising daily at the same time after a long day at work, or overindulging in alcohol when angry or sad.

Over the past few months, I have embarked on an exciting yet challenging journey of adopting small, good habits to improve my lifestyle. The idea is to improve my well-being, one step at a time.

Adopting new habits is the answer if you are also interested in improving your life. In this article, I have compiled a list of 20 habits to get you started on your journey to greatness. They are practical and simple to implement in your daily routine.

The idea is to start small. Ask yourself this: what habit can I efficiently work with now? Once you have an answer, start with that one. How many habits you believe you can begin with will be up to you. In my case, I started with one habit the first week, adding one more every week since then. You want to begin with only a few habits that will not overwhelm and/or discourage you.

Whether your goal is to lead healthier day-to-day or improve your overall well-being, the actions listed can help you manage your life and reach your goals.

For anyone wishing to improve your lifestyle, these 20 good habits will help you.

• Wake up early in the morning

• Manage your time wisely

• Exercise regularly

• Adopt a healthy and varied diet

• Practice mindfulness

• Relax

• Get quality sleep every night

• Spend time with loved ones

• Cultivate positive relationships

• Choose wisely people in your “tribe”

• Express yourself

• Engage in altruistic acts

• Develop a hobby

• Take on new challenges

• Practice self-care

• Practice goal-setting

• Let go of perfectionism

• Respect yourself & practice self-love

• Take a break from tech tools

• Celebrate your successes

YOUR TIME

1. Wake Up Early In The Morning

Waking up early in the morning will allow you to get more done and mentally prepare for the day ahead by planning your schedule and focusing your attention on the most critical tasks. Read how to develop your morning routine in this article.

2. Manage Your Time Wisely

This will allow you to feel in control instead of overwhelmed or rushed. You will always be the BOSS of your life because you will stay calm, composed, organized, and focused. The key is to plan and prioritize tasks. You can use a planner to keep track of your responsibilities.

YOUR BODY AND MIND

3. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise will help you maintain your physical and mental health, improve your energy levels, sleep quality, and enhance your overall well-being. You can choose a low or high-impact routine. Also, think about spending time outside in nature.

4. Adopt A Healthy And Varied Diet

Eating foods with various nutrients will help you function properly and is fundamental for your well-being. Moreover, healthy eating habits contribute to better mood and energy levels, fostering a sense of well-being.

5. Practice Mindfulness

This will help you stay in the present moment and be aware of your surroundings, thoughts, and feelings. This way, you will appreciate life as it’s happening in front of you, and let go of your worries.

6. Relax

Setting time aside to relax and recharge to gain clarity will help you increase focus and energy. Relaxing will help you maintain your well-being and manage stress. When you rest, your body can unwind, rejuvenate, and repair. Also, it can lead to improved concentration, mood, and productivity.

7. Get Quality Sleep Every Night

Having quality sleep at night will help you maintain optimal health and happiness. It’s not just about the number of hours you sleep but also the quality of sleep you get. Quality sleep plays a critical role in maintaining your physical and mental health. See the article for tips on how to organize your bedtime routine.

8. Take A Break From Tech Tools

Constantly connecting to can lead to fatigue digital fatigue. So, take a BREAK for any form of screens for your mind to reset. Unplugging from technology occasionally promotes better sleep by reducing exposure to blue light emitted by electronic devices.

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

9. Spend Time With Loved Ones

Spending time with family and friends will allow you to appreciate the people around you more and to build and maintain strong relationships. Additionally, it provides a sense of belonging and self-worth, which are fundamental to our mental health. Remember that having strong social connections can also be vital in overcoming challenging times. You can engage in shared activities or converse with loved ones to create joyful memories, further enhancing your happiness and satisfaction in life.

10. Cultivate Positive Relationships

You can cultivate a positive mindset by expressing gratitude and kindness towards others. When you show gratitude, you acknowledge the value the other person brings into your life. This, in turn, makes the other person feel appreciated and valued. Moreover, when we are kind to others, they are more likely to reciprocate and treat those around them kindly, too.

11. Choose Wisely People In Your “Tribe”

Avoid negative people to protect your well-being. Negative people will drain your energy, foster unnecessary stress, and can damage your mindset. They often resist positive change and can discourage your personal growth and happiness with their pessimistic outlook. Maintaining distance from such individuals will allow you to have a positive outlook on life.

12. Engage In Altruistic Acts

The habit of helping the ones in need is beneficial to your well-being. When you help another person, you create a positive feedback loop of joy and satisfaction. This act boosts your mood, fostering a sense of happiness, fulfilment, connection, and belonging, and enhances your emotional well-being.

FOR ONLY YOU

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13. Develop A Hobby

This will help you express your unique style and imagination without any restrictions. Whether it is painting, writing, or knitting, there are endless hobbies to choose from that can bring a sense of fulfilment and joy. A new hobby will allow you to learn new things and meet people with similar interests.

14. Take On New Challenges

Taking a new challenge will push you out of your comfort zone and help you develop your growth mindset. It could be travelling to a new place, taking on a new project at work, or reading intellectually challenging books. It’s difficult to leave your comfort zone, but taking risks is BRAVE.

15. Practice Self-Care

This will help you unwind and reduce stress for a happier and healthier life. It’s important to prioritize self-care and make it a regular part of your routine. Self-care will allow you to maintain physical health, mental well-being, and emotional stability by ensuring a balanced lifestyle, reducing stress, and enhancing your ability to handle daily challenges efficiently. It will also foster self-esteem and self-confidence, both crucial qualities in your personal and professional lives.

16. Practice Goal-Setting

Set long-term goals aligning with your values to feel accomplished and fulfilled. Setting goals helps you have a clear target and expected outcomes, providing a sense of direction and purpose in life. The habit of setting goals will also help you build resilience.

17. Let Go Of Perfectionism

It’s okay to make mistakes! The constant need to be perfect can lead to anxiety and stress. Always remember that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, and it is essential to remember that no one is perfect.

18. Respect Yourself & Practice Self-Love

Self-love is about acknowledging your self-worth and taking time to cater to your own needs. This might involve setting boundaries to ensure work-life balance, pursuing hobbies that bring joy, or simply allowing yourself to rest when needed.

19. Express Yourself

Talking about your feelings instead of bottling them up fosters better mental and physical well-being. It’s an emotional release that reduces stress and anxiety. So, openly communicating your emotions will allow you to promote healthier relationships and form stronger bonds with your social support.

20. Celebrate Your Successes

Celebrating success, no matter how small, is beneficial for your well-being. It fosters a positive mindset, reinforcing the belief in your abilities. Remember that small victories also serve as stepping stones towards larger goals, fueling motivation and maintaining momentum. Moreover, acknowledging these achievements promotes a sense of gratitude for the journey and the progress made, which is crucial in nurturing a healthier and happier perspective on life.

Bottom Line

Our busy lives make it easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. That’s why developing good habits to include in your daily routine to live a fulfilling life is important.

So, take a moment and find the time to nurture your well-being and cultivate joy.

Start small, one habit at a time. And whatever habit you start with, remember that Rome was not built in a day. It will take commitment on your part. Living a balanced life comes with practice and patience.