10 Simple Daily Habits To Improve Your Life

The new year is a really good time to adopt new daily habits even if you don’t like New Year’s resolutions. I always find that the holidays, travel or just an extra day off gives me renewed energy to tackle something new. These are some practices that I started this year, and since they made a difference in my health and well-being I’m making them daily habits this year. Here are 10 daily habits that you also might want to adopt this year…

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1. Choose A One-Word Resolution (That Will Inspire You Daily)

A one-word resolution is easier to remember, adapt and maintain than a list of resolutions. My word often appears in my head and refuses to leave me alone until I adopt it. It’s always an action word that I can apply to many aspects of my lifestyle. If you need a step-by-step approach to finding your word of the year, take a look at this post: The Easiest New Year’s Resolution.

The word that popped into my head this year is: move (more details below).

You may also want to break down your one-word resolution into little daily habits. My friend Kristy explains how she does this in her post: One Little Word + 3 Habits = The BEST New Years Resolution. Kristy works part-time, homeschools her children, is active in her church and community, and has impeccable style!

Fun fact: for the past 5 years, my one-word resolutions have all started with the letter “c”: connect, create, capture, cultivate and change. I have no idea why!

2. Move (More Often)

Even if your word of the year isn’t “move“, you may want to adopt it as a goal.

While I’d like to blame my weight gain and waning flexibility on my age, I realized this year that it had just as much to do with my increasingly sedentary lifestyle. So in addition to running, walking, and yoga, I’ve been incorporating other movement practices so that I do at least one thing every day.

Feldenkrais With Taro Iwamoto has been so helpful in resolving tightness or aches which in turn encourages me to exercise more.

The Face Yoga Expert targets wrinkles, puffy eyes, dull skin, and other beauty concerns, but has also helped to reduce my clenching habit.

Elini Fit has been my go-to low-impact workout especially for rainy days.

I’m also adopting the other definitions of move: to make progress, to take action, to influence others, and to travel.

3. Read (Or Listen)

After years of reading excerpts and reviews, I finally bought and read Atomic Habits by James Clear. If you aren’t familiar with the book, Clear suggests that practicing little habits regularly is more effective in tackling big goals occasionally. He also shares some really good lessons for making those habits stick.

One of those lessons is to remove roadblocks.

My biggest roadblock was finding a chunk of time to sit and focus on a book. It took me months to finish Atomic Habits.

So I decided to make it easier to enjoy books. First, I downloaded audiobooks from my library so that I could listen to them while driving to work or our kids’ activities. Then I bought some light-hearted fiction so that I could read before bed without making my mind race. And finally, I put my tiny night light next to my books so that I can read without disturbing my husband who always falls asleep before me.

4. Keep A Journal

I’ve been writing in journals since I was in elementary school, but lately the entries have been few and far between. This year I’m working on making a daily habit again even if it’s to record my to-do list for the day.

I love the Peter Pauper Press journals as they have archival paper, and elastic band placeholder and a binding that allows the journal to lay flat. Mine is the Smarty Cats Journal.

If you need some guidance you may like this Burn After Writing Journal with 300+ writing prompts.

5. Prioritize Sleep

I know that for many, sleep is a complex issue. But for some of us, (guilty) it’s because of bad habits like scrolling on our phones or doing things that leave us tired but wired. It’s so important to prioritize sleep.

6. Declutter Daily

If you find yourself overwhelmed with a cluttered house or digital information, try decluttering a little every day. Set a timer or give yourself a number of items to donate, throw out or put away.

Use those ten minutes in the waiting room at the doctor’s office to delete photos, emails or distracting apps.

Keep a bag or box for donations. Give yourself a certain period of time (I give myself three months) to reconsider, and then sell or donate the items.

7. Indulge In Feel-Good Self-Care

I do a lot of cleaning, laundry and dishes. I have to admit, I’m sometimes a little cranky about it. So this year, I started listening to my audiobooks while doing dishes. I apply a face mask or teeth whitener while I clean the bathroom. And I save my favorite binge-worthy shows for laundry day.

I haven’t quite figured out how to do give myself a manicure while doing chores, so let me know if you’ve figured that one out.

But seriously, a little daily pampering can work wonders for your mood.

8. Wear What Fits (And Feels Comfortable)

I’ve tried on a LOT of clothes since I started blogging. I’ve tried out dozens of new brands and styles. And you know what I realized this year? I was blaming myself when something didn’t fit (i.e. I’ve gained too much weight or I’m too short).

Then, I found a brand of jeans that felt like they they were made for my body. No gaping at the waist, no need for hemming. After that, I found shoes that didn’t pinch or make my toes numb. And then, a dress made me forget to feel self conscious about my belly.

It doesn’t mean I’ve stopped trying to get in shape or lose my extra belly fat. I’ve just realized that not every brand or style is going to fit me, and that’s okay.

9. Hydrate

We all know the importance of hydration but it’s so easy to forget to drink water! This year, I’ve been trying to drink a glass of water before my first cup of coffee. I also fill up my 30oz Yeti Rambler and add a stainless steel straw for my desk or car. And I also keep a pantry full of herbal teas like Nettle, Sweet Rose and Peppermint.

For after cardio workouts, our entire family likes Nuun Sport drink tablets which help us replenish electrolytes.

10. Laugh

I’d forgotten the power of laughter until I found myself in the company of some very entertaining friends. Laughter is said to reduce stress and in the long term, improve your immune system. So find a little laughter every day whether it’s with a friend, in a book (I’m reading this silly one) or on a show.

So there you have it – the 10 daily habits I’m going to work on over the next year. Do you have some habits that you’re working on this year? Do you have a one word resolution or a list of New Year’s resolutions? Let me know in the comments below…