A long, healthy life is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits! – Dan Buettner
Building good habits in your life (and actually sticking to them) is an essential part of a successful life!
First, you must make sure that your mindset is correct.
Life isn’t about gaining perfection. It is about doing the best with the talents and abilities you were given. (And YES, these can be learned).
Below are 51 AMAZING and healthy habits that can change your life for the better.
1.) Practice self-confidence every day
Many people believe that you have to be born with confidence.
However, confidence is something that can be learned! This takes consistent practice and an intense desire to improve yourself.
Confidence is a quality that comes in many different forms and is shown in many different ways.
It can be shown in the way you carry yourself or in the way you treat others. Perhaps it is the way you respond to criticism or take responsibility for your actions.
Read the book The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
Related Article: 9 Easy Ways Women Can Project Confidence
2.) Embrace Failure
Failure is a totally normal part of life. Everyone fails at something!
Failure will show you that you have to do things differently
It may show you that you are really bad at something. But it will point you in the right direction of something that you will excel at!
Perhaps it will show you that you need to approach human relationships differently.
Everyone goes through it, but not everyone responds the same way.
Some people get defeated by self-doubt, while others learn from their mistakes and move forward!
3.) De-clutter Your Home
Embracing a more minimalistic life is AMAZING!
Do you really need/use everything that you have?
Every week, go through one room in your home and make a “I don’t need this anymore” pile.
Don’t overthink it! Make a pile of things that you do not use.
Then donate it!
Once it is gone, you will feel much more clean and less anxious.
4.) Stop Setting Unrealistic Goals!
When you set goals that are too big to accomplish, you are actually setting yourself back.
We live in a multi-tasking culture that makes it difficult for us to focus on one thing for very long. (Just think of all the distractions caused only by your phone.)
We are surrounded by things that are all competing for our attention!
When it comes to creating your goals, you MUST define and focus on one specific goal at a time.
If your goal is too large or vague, it is much easier for you to procrastinate it!
Related Article: 7 Successful Tips to Setting Achievable Goals
5.) Distance Yourself From Toxic Relationships
Do you have people in your life who are toxic and destructive?
It is easy to keep those people in your life because you don’t want to hurt their feelings or you are too scared to stand up for yourself.
Be brave! Be firm! Stand up for yourself!
This article will help you identify who the toxic people are in your life.
Related Article: 7 Steps to Successfully Remove Toxic People from Your Life
6.) Start Reading Actual Books
There are countless benefits to reading a physical book.
Mental stimulation, stress reduction, memory improvement, better writing skills, and self improvement – to name a few.
What types of books are you interested in? Self improvement, fiction, non-fiction, murder mystery, etc.
Three books that I am currently LOVING are as follows:
by Lysa Terkeurst
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
- The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
7.) Make time for self care
Stop taking care of everyone else and make some time for YOU!
Think about it. If you’re not mentally and physically healthy, you can’t accomplish everything to the best of your ability.
It’s OK to stop and set aside some time to do things that you enjoy.
Related Article: 13 Successful Habits of All Happy Women
8.) Start Going To Bed Earlier
Sleep is one of the most overlooked necessities of life!
Did you know that you can only live about 11 days without sleep?
When you don’t get enough sleep, your body released a stress hormone called cortisol.
This stress hormone’s job is to provide energy for your body during the extra hours you are awake.
But, this hormone messes with your metabolism and can cause you to gain weight and become more stressed & anxious.
Getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night needs to be made a priority!
Related Article: 12 Easy Nighttime Habits for Better Sleep
9.) Re-Evaluate Your Friend Group
When it comes to friends, always think ‘quality over quantity’.
You don’t need a whole bunch of friends that you don’t really connect with.
Choose the people that you enjoy having in your life the most and invest in them.
And if you need to make more friends, read this article on how to make friends as an adult!
Related Article: 9 Successful Ways to Deepen Your Friendships
10.) Honor Your Commitments
In other words, be a person of your word!
Keep your promises and stay consistent.
If you are asked to do something and you don’t want to do it, say “No. I am unable to do that!”
Don’t make promises that you don’t intend to keep or that you don’t want to fulfill just to appease someone in the moment.
11.) Improve Your Communication With Your Partner
Are you dating or married?
Your romantic life has a HUGE impact on every other area of your life!
Communication is the key to every successful relationship.
Learning how to communicate effectively can tighten the bond between you and your love.
Related Article: 10 Things You Should Never Say To Your Significant Other
12.) Drink More Water
Your body runs on water!
Did you know that you should be drinking an 8-oz glass of water at least eight times a day (2 liters)?
That sounds like a lot, but your body needs it to run properly!
Water helps to boost your metabolism and cleanses your body of unwanted toxins.
Drinking a cup of water immediately before a meal will act as an appetite suppressant, discouraging you from eating unnecessary amounts of food.
Take this 2-week challenge! Drink a minimum of 2 liters of water a day. I guarantee you 100% that your body will respond positively. You may take more trips to the bathroom, but it will be worth it!
13.) Take Care of Your Skin
God gave you one set of skin. Take care of it!
You absolutely need to have a skincare regimen.
Cleanse and moisturize your skin every single day.
Also, WEAR SUNSCREEN every time you go outside. Nothing ages you quicker than the sun.
Related Article: 11 Age -Defying Tips to Keep You Looking Young
14.) Try to Connect With a Friend or Family Member Every Day
Nourishing the healthy relationships in your life is so important!
It is so easy to get caught up in the rush of life that you forget the people you love.
Send a quick text to someone you care about. Or pick up the phone and make a call to your friend.
It is easy and it only takes a few moments!
Related Article: 9 Successful Ways to Deepen Your Friendships
15.) Stop Always Explaining Yourself
It is so easy to get caught up in the trap of trying to please other people!
Always know that you do not need to explain yourself to other people – especially those who you are 0% accountable to.
If someone asks you a nosy question, you can simply not answer their question, change the subject, or calmly say, “That is not something I am willing to share.”
Stand tall and be confident in your decision to stand up for yourself!
16.) Exercise 4-5 times a week.
Even if it is a 30 minute walk!
Exercising a bit every day has so many health benefits!
Exercise can improve your health, reduce your stress, and even increase your life expectancy.
Related Article: 9 Easy Weight Loss Hacks for Every Day Life
17.) Practice Being A Better Listener
Some people are amazing listeners.
Others are really bad at it!
This is actually a common reason many people lose friends quickly.
If listening doesn’t come naturally to you, stop listening with the intent to talk.
Instead, focus on every word they are saying. Give all your attention to what they are saying.
Sometimes, people just need someone to listen and empathize.
18.) Plan Out Your Week Ahead of time
It sounds complicated, but it will actually save you time!
Planning out your week will help you feel less stressed and more prepared for your busy schedule.
Related Article: Sunday Hacks: 9 Successful Habits for a Productive Work Week
19.) Challenge Yourself To Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
…do this 3 times a week!
Maybe you need to walk up and talk to someone you don’t know.
Perhaps you need to take a music lesson or a dance class.
Maybe you could volunteer at an event in your area.
Whatever you do – don’t let your fears rule you!
Getting out of your comfort zone is a rgeat way to improve yourself and meet amazing new people!
20.) Smile at other people
There is power in a warm smile!
It shows confidence, approachability, and confidence!
People are dawn to positivity – and a smile is often the first sign of it.
21.) Stop Cussing
In today’s society, it is very normal for people to say, “Sh*t”, “F*ck”, “B*tch”, “A**hole”, etc.
But these words do brand you as a specific sort of person!
Think about it! When you hear someone say the F-bomb, do you think, “Now that is a classy person!”
There is a reason that television networks only allow certain words to be publically broadcasted. There is still a social stigma surrounding certain words, regardless of how many people say them!
They just aren’t appropriate.
22.) If you have anxiety, get help!
Anxiety is a disorder that affects more than 40 million adults in the United States.
Unfortunately, this disorder is often seen as something to be embarrassed of and hide from other people.
Many people live their whole life with anxiety, never identifying the signs and learning proper self-care.
If you have anxiety, get professional help. It can do wonders for your health and happiness!
Related Article: 12 Successful Tips To Help You Manage Your Anxiety
23.) Try to Go To Sleep and Wake Up At the Same Time Every Day
Your body thrives on a schedule!
Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
Even if you feel tempted to sleep in on the weekend, don’t!
Do you ever find that you get headaches on the weekends? This can be caused by you throwing off your body’s timeclock.
24.) Start Checking Things Off Your Bucket List
It’s completely fine to have dreams and goals!
But do you ever accomplish any of them?!
Start doing some of the things you dream of doing.
Go skydiving, take a trip to Europe, redecorate your home, go camping at the Grand Canyon, plan New Years Eve in NYC, etc.
STOP DREAMING AND START DOING!
Related Article: 9 Hacks to Make and Save Vacation Money
25.) Go See A Financial Adviser
Do you have a financial plan for the future?
Have you even thought about when you want to retire?
Do you save, budget, or invest?
The best way to get your finances on track is to see a financial adviser!
This article will help you get started.
Related Articles:
- 11 Ways To Live Well On One Income
- 10 Signs You Are Totally Living Beyond Your Means
- 9 Dave Ramsey Money Tips You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
