Building healthy habits when you feel like you just can’t
What keeps you grounded when you’re feeling all over the place?
I’ve subconsciously adopted a few practices that have helped during chaotic times, making me realize how much little things add up. I’ve written about this many times, but experiencing it firsthand has increased its potency.
little steps —> BIG changes
Fit in (mind AND body) fitness when you can.
Since I haven’t been in the headspace to regularly practice yoga every morning, I realized I’d broken this up into components without noticing. Five to ten minutes of meditation or breathwork upon wakeup plus stretches while my coffee is brewing. Stretching while my coffee is brewing is pretty much the smartest thing I’ve ever done (lol), and it’s so simple.
Get your daily 20-minute walk at the grocery store, Target, or wherever you’re shopping when there’s too much going on.
Keep your core activated while you’re cleaning. This is hard and challenges your mind, too.
Never forget S.T.O.P. for mental fitness moments— Stop. Take a breath. Observe your surroundings. Proceed.
Incorporate colors. Yes, colors do have an emotional effect on our psyche.
Wear cool colors (blue jeans and a blue t-shirt) to evoke a sense of calm.
Art, unique mugs or drinking cups, planters, flowers… How can you incorporate colors that make you feel good in your world?
S.T.O.P. again to see what colors are happening around you. This is a peak time of color change (Northern Hemisphere Spring, Southern Hemisphere Fall). Have you noticed?
Get dressed every morning.
Nothing more to say. Whether you’re at home or going out, being in an awesome outfit will affect your day and mood, I promise.
Joy. Let’s all do more things that make us happy.
Music. Sometimes I get to work and realize it's silent after an hour or two. I’ve been throwing on mostly instrumental playlists created by a good friend, Danny Dodge. They aren’t distracting and keep you grooving. Organic Transitions and Beezoo Jazz.
Exercising. Ten minutes is better than no minutes, and plenty of research shows moving makes you happy.
Talking to friends. Make a quick call when you have an extra minute.
What else makes you smile? Donuts, watching TV, being creative, eating bagels outside? Add in a little bit here and there.
Say no to things you don’t want to do.
Put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and try not to care who is sending you messages.
Let go of needing to do everything for everyone.
Instead of saying yes to something when you wish you said no, practice saying you can’t do it.
Eating bagels outside is one of my little joyful moments that can genuinely increase my overall happiness levels.
