Mindful Habits
The start of a new year can be the perfect time to cultivate new, mindful habits. A new beginning can bring a desire for change and practicing small habits everyday can create long-term change through adding structure and organization to your life. I was inspired to share these habits after reflecting on my time as a college student. Between classes, internships, and balancing a healthy social life, 24 hours in a day felt like it wasn’t enough! Making small changes in how I used my time made a big difference to my overall productivity. Though at first it felt like a slow start; overtime, these habits became a solidified part of my daily routine. I hope these new habits are helpful and start off your new year on a positive note.
Waking up early: Waking up early is a great opportunity to get a head start on your day! It can serve as an opportunity to work out, finish some chores, or have some alone time before engaging with the rest of your day. With an extra hour or two on your side, the rest of the day feels less overwhelming and stressful. Lastly, another useful tip when waking up early is to not look at your phone first thing in the morning. It can be less mentally stimulating to first get ready or make some breakfast and then check your phone.
Make to-do lists on Sunday: Another valuable habit is organizing the week before it even starts! Planning on Sunday can make the week feel less intimidating and allow for better time management. Writing down deadlines, projects, and errands can provide insight on what the week entails ahead of time. I’ve noticed that everyone has a different preference on how they like to organize! I think it just depends on what works best for you. Some options may include, a Google calendar, a planner, or a white-board calendar.
Get ready for the day: Wearing a cute outfit, doing your hair, or throwing some make up on can help you feel good and ready to take on your day. The simple act of changing your clothes provides a sign that you are shifting gears and ready to have a productive day. Getting ready for the day also has the power to serve as a form of self-care. It may seem small, but it can designate some time every day for to take care of yourself first.
Make time for movement: Making time for movement can be a great way to boost mood, improve sleep, and reduce anxiety. The great thing about movement is that it is so versatile. Going for a walk or run, lifting weights, having a dance party, the options are seemingly endless. Moving your body serves as a break from work and is the perfect reason to get outside for some fresh air.
Incorporating small moments of learning in the day: Learning something new every day can make a positive difference in your life. Listening to a new podcast, watching a TedTalk, or reading an article about something that interests you can serve as a learning tool in day to day life. These various mechanisms of learning can provide you with a new perspective or idea which can help in staying alert and informed in day to day life. Most importantly, taking the time to further divulge into one of your passions can help to create small pockets of joy throughout your day.
A note about the author:
Saloni recently graduated from San Diego State University where she majored in Psychology and double minored in Child & Family Development and Public Health. As someone who is passionate about health, wellness, and intentional living, Saloni created a blog where she aims to write honest and authentic pieces centered around how healthy living is multi-faceted and an ongoing process. She hopes to uplift her readers to take the steps to live a life that is fulfilling and uniquely their own! Saloni also runs avos_on_cados, her Instagram blog dedicated to sharing yummy vegan foods, kind words, and other snippets of inspiration she finds in her own life. In her free time, Saloni loves going to the beach, jamming out at cycling classes, drinking oat milk lattes, watching sunsets, reading new books, and visiting her local farmers market.
