People looking to improve their physical and mental health should take baby steps to start their self-care journey. Instead of performing bigger actions that result in bigger payouts, individuals need to consistently perform microhabits.
A microhabit refers to tiny actions that help you form healthy and sustainable behavior patterns that will last a lifetime. Although you won’t see immediate results, practicing microhabits regularly will lead to significant improvement in the long term. As the saying goes, slow and steady wins the race.
Here are eight impactful microhabits that can serve as a solid starting point in turning your life around for the better:
1. Clean Your Teeth Every Morning and Night
This oral care habit removes unwanted bacteria in your mouth, prevents the buildup of tartar, freshens your breath, and improves your overall health. Remember to brush and floss your teeth as soon as you wake up and before going to bed.
Once you’ve established this habit, you can take it a step further by scheduling regular appointments with your dentist for oral cleaning, effective teeth whitening, and other procedures that will improve your smile.
2. Repeat a Personal Mantra Whenever You Feel Stress
Too much stress can take a toll on your physical and mental health. It can make your body age quicker, increase your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and flat-out ruin your day.
When you hit your stress points, create a mantra that calms your nerves and reminds you of the important things in your life. Rather than allow stress to take over and send you panicking, pull out your mantra to tell your brain and yourself that everything will soon be ok. A few examples you could say repeatedly are:
- I am never alone. I have friends and family supporting me in my journey.
- I’m stronger than I think.
- This, too, shall pass.
- I’ve handled worse stuff than this.
3. Read More
If you are not the type of person who likes to read books, that’s fine. Read other materials instead. Follow industry leaders or experts on social media who share or post interesting blogs and articles.
Alternatively, you could listen to an audiobook while you commute or read a news story at any time of the day. The important thing here is to read materials that will contribute to your self-growth.
4. Check Your Bank Balance Regularly
Form the habit of looking at all of your bank accounts at least once a day. This keeps you aware of the amount of savings you have and where your money is going. Obtaining a better grip on your finances starts with getting a consistently accurate mental picture of your bank accounts.
5. Drink More Water
People in the United States aren’t hydrating enough. One survey found that almost 80 percent of working Americans say that they aren’t drinking enough water.
Don’t be part of this statistic. Create the tiny habit of drinking a glass of water every morning. Also, refrain from replenishing your lost fluids with tea, coffee, or soda loaded with sugar. If you’re feeling thirsty, rehydrate with water. Your body will thank you for it.
6. Start a Daily Journal
Jot down whatever is on your mind for a few minutes before retiring for the day. Think of this activity as a daily brain dump.
Begin by getting a simple notebook and placing it next to your bed. Before you get some shuteye, give yourself a few minutes to pour out whatever’s inside your head. You don’t have to proofread your writing or create a format. Just let everything out – even if your thoughts don’t make complete sense.
Not a fan of the traditional pen-and-paper approach? Use a voice recorder to talk about your day. Do this for a few minutes each day.
7. Write Thank-You Notes Every Week
Develop an attitude of gratitude with this microhabit. Each week, write a thank-you message to someone who has passed on but has positively affected your life. Pretend that they’re still alive and note down all the things you want to say in person.
Alternatively, you could write a thank-you letter to someone who was (or still is) a part of your life and send your message to that person. Cultivating gratitude enables you to celebrate the present, magnify the positive emotions, block the toxic emotions sapping your happiness and give you a higher sense of self-worth.;
8. Set Aside Funds for Giving
Equally important to gratitude is generosity. Being generous makes you feel better about yourself and helps you live a more fulfilling life.
Start by giving a small amount. A 20-dollar donation, for instance, can buy a homeless person food for a few days. You have the option to increase your donation amount when your income rises.
Add these eight microhabits to your life. They don’t seem like much at first glance, but they will improve your health, relationships, financial situation, and career over time.