Living in such a fast paced world, it’s easy to fall into bad habits and not take as great care of yourself as you should be. We’ll say it until the birds stop singing: self care is key! So many people wait until the start of the new year to put their resolutions into effect, but we think there’s no time like the present. Today, we’re channeling one of our favorite books — The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. If you haven’t read it, you should definitely head over to Amazon and grab a copy, it will change your life! In his book, Hal discusses the six healthy habits that everyone should start the day with, he calls them the Life S.A.V.E.R.S. and they can be done in as few as six minutes every day. We decided to put our own spin on this idea and came up with a short list of healthy habits we think you should be incorporating to your daily routine.
Making Your Bed Every Morning
If the first thing you do each and every morning is make your bed, congratulations, you’ve already done one productive thing today! It’s a proven fact that this small task can set the tone for your day and kickstart your productivity. It may seem insignificant, but having already accomplished something right off the bat will get you headed in the right direction to keep the momentum going through your entire day. Plus, it also makes your room look so much tidier and everyone loves that!
Meditating
Did you know that some of the most successful people meditate? It’s true! Taking even just a few minutes each morning (and again before bed if you can!) to clear your mind is immensely beneficial. This helps you to regain focus and clarity in your life. Meditation is also helpful if you suffer from anxiety. For beginners, try some guided meditation through an app on your phone like Calm or Headspace to get started. Try incorporating this into your routine for a week and see if you can start to feel a difference. The more you practice, the more you’ll start to notice a mental calmness and elevated level of mental clarity that was not there before.
Journaling
Journaling is a great way to collect your thoughts. Whether it’s just a review of your day, your goals, or even a list of things that you’re thankful for! Writing is so therapeutic and a great way to work through different situations. Building off of each day, it’s a great way to keep track of your progress and have something tangible you can review at the end of the year to see just how far you’ve come.
We’re huge fans of Rachel Hollis’s Start Today journal. Rachel’s practice centers around starting your day with writing in your journal: 5 specific things you’re grateful for on that day and 10 goals you made happen. These goals are things you’re going to accomplish, but you write them as if they’re already complete. Then, you choose which goal you’re going to accomplish first and dedicate all your energy to that one thing! Make sure to check her out to learn more about this awesome practice.
Getting Enough Sleep
In the era of the side-hustle, we tend to always be on the go and in constant motion. It’s important to take care of your body, unplug, and get enough sleep! While it may take a few extra hours out of your day, it will make the time you’re awake for more productive. And, making sure you get enough sleep helps keep your immune system strong; no one has time to be sick! So get in the habit of going to bed early to start each day fresh and well-rested to avoid a burnout.
Drinking Enough Water
Hydration, hydration, hydration! Did you know that you’re supposed to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day?! So, if you weigh 120 lbs, you should be drinking 60 oz of water a day. Being hydrated has so many benefits: cleansing your system and flushing out bad bacteria, keeping your skin clear, better digestion, fewer headaches, increases energy, relieves fatigue, and countless more. If you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already dehydrated! Drink up! If you’re not a water fan, try adding a little something extra. Fresh fruit and herbs can make a world of difference. We love some strawberry and mint infused water!
Making Yourself a Priority
In the wise words of Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle, “treat yo’self!” With all of our hectic schedules and mile-long to-do lists, it’s easy to push our needs to the side. Make sure to set some time aside to do something for yourself. Whether it’s buying yourself a small something or even just taking a nice relaxing bath, self-care and self-love should be a priority!
