While you may exercise, sleep, and eat right, there’s always room for improvement. But bad habits can be tricky to stop, like if you feel enjoyment after eating when stressed. It might be helpful to remember why you want to change a pattern in the first place. For example, if you love to stay up late, think about how groggy you’ll feel in the morning at school. This way, you’ll be motivated by the benefits to help you stay on track. To get the most out of these habits, slowly introduce them in your life:
- Have some alone time. You can get to know yourself when you spend time with yourself. Find some quiet time to be alone without any distractions or technology. Just let your mind wander and focus on your thoughts and feelings. If you do this every day, your anxiety can be reduced, making sleep time a piece of cake.
- Make a gratitude list. When you have a bad day, smile, and remember how lucky you are. Gratitude means appreciating what you have, and it’s easy to express. Grab a piece of paper and write down at least five things that you’re grateful to have. A quick thank you makes you more friendly.
- Learn something new. Add extra spice to your life with something that interests you. Go to the library or bookstore to see what topic gets your attention. Notice if it’s fun or boring and narrow it down. You can also discover a new interest by finding something similar to what you liked. For instance, if you loved biology, you’ll probably like microbiology.
- Spend time in nature. It’s easier to stay in touch with your mental health if you’re outside. A nice walk at the park boosts your health, happiness, and sparks creativity. Yet nature is everywhere, from beaches and trails to national parks and nature preserves. Nature provides everyone with a free way to cope with their emotions.
- Go for a swim. A plunge in the water is a great choice of exercise. You’ll get a good full-body cardio workout that’s soft on the bones. Plus, the benefits don’t end there! It can keep you younger for longer, and anyone can learn how to swim. Before you swim, make sure there’s someone around to watch you.
- Play or listen to music. When you feel down, reach for those headphones. Music may make you feel better and distract you from uncomfortable feelings. It’s also a source of motivation for your workouts. You can make your life more musical if you play an instrument as well. While you play an instrument, the whole brain is engaged.
- Get crazy with scents. Who’d ever thought that a quick sniff can take you back to a pleasant memory? Scents are used in aromatherapy and are gaining attention for a good reason. They’re used to reduce anxiety or depression. The scent you choose is personal and can come from a candle, incense, essential oil, chest rub, lotion, or a flower.
- Floss your teeth. A toothbrush can’t get between your teeth; luckily, this is where flossing comes in. When you floss, you keep your mouth cleaner and have good oral health. If you don’t floss, your gums become swollen and bleed easily. To effectively clean your mouth, you should first floss, then brush your teeth after. Try to do this at least once a day.
- Have self-compassion. A true friend is someone compassionate towards a person in need. But we don’t treat ourselves this way. In our minds, we treat ourselves with disrespect. Imagine if a friend has the same issue you have. What advice would you say to them? If we’re able to treat ourselves better, we’re more likely to have success.
