Prioritize your sleep
The first, perhaps most important habit, is getting enough sleep. Sleep is essential to our wellbeing, since we need rest and energy in order to take on life’s many tasks. Adults need anywhere between 7 and 9 hours of sleep, and when life gets busy, it’s easy to let that slip to below 7 hours. Making the effort to prioritize maximizing your sleep can help you feel better, increase your focus, reduce stress, and help you to function better in your daily activities. Creating a habit of getting enough sleep will make it easier to get the full 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night over time.
Choose a 5 minute self-care activity
Self-care is important and the more we practice it, the better we feel. It can be difficult, however, to take large chunks of time our of our day to prioritize self-care, especially if we work or study for long hours each day. Setting just 5 minutes aside every day makes self-care moments more manageable in our schedules. Choose something you like, and that you’ll stick with. Some ideas might include journaling, meditating, or simply doing a few quick stretches.
Take a break from screens
Staying plugged into computers, phones, and even our TVs keeps our minds constantly active. Taking a break from screens can help you prioritize resting your eyes and mind, as well as give you the space to engage in other activities that don’t require screens, such as visiting with a friend, or reading a book.
Create a daily ritual
Choosing a daily ritual is an excellent habit to form because it gives us something to rely on and look forward to on a daily basis. Having a regular ritual can help us feel grounded in hectic or stressful times. Create a daily ritual by stacking mindful tasks together, such as preparing for your day intentionally.
Take a walk
When we get moving, we burn off cortisol, which our body makes when we’re feeling stressed or anxious. Movement is an excellent habit to start, and while it can be difficult to schedule in a lengthy workout each day, taking a short walk is often more realistic. Even just walking around the block once a day can help you feel more motivated, refreshed, and ready to take on the day.
Connect with others everyday
Social interaction is important for our wellbeing as well, and making a point to talk with others every day, even briefly can help us feel connected to those around us. During stressful times, it can be easy to self-isolate, which can make us feel even worse, and connecting with your support system can make life feel a little bit easier. Getting into the habit of connecting with others makes it easier to find support when we truly need it.
Create a top 3 task list
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when we have a huge to-do list, which is why I recommend prioritizing just a couple of tasks each day. Starting a habit of creating a top 3 list of things that must get done each day can help you work through a long to-do list over time without feeling overwhelmed. Not only are you completing tasks, but you’re also making the process just a little bit easier.
About Therapist Samantha Nolan, MA, LPC, ATR- Barnum Counseling
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