Did you know that 40% of your actions are not conscious decisions, but habits? The power of habits is severely underrated. It’s the little things you do on a consistent basis that will change your life for the better.
Forming new habits is tough. On average, it takes about 2 months—66 days to be exact—to start a habit, so it goes without saying that it takes dedication and discipline. However, learning to do small, beneficial things every day will ultimately lead you to success.
Are you ready to change your life? Commit to doing these four simple things daily.
Drink water.
Americans are not drinking enough water. In fact, 75% suffer from chronic dehydration. If there is one thing you should start doing today, it’s getting into the habit of filling up your water bottle and drinking throughout the day (seriously … please get up and go get some water if you haven’t had any today).
Water does so much for our bodies that we physically can’t afford to go without it. It can aid in weight loss, bump your energy, give you glowing skin, curb headaches, and our bodies cannot function properly without it. If you don’t like drinking water, try infusing it with fruit like strawberries or blueberries to make it more enjoyable, or incorporate more foods with a high water content (e.g., cucumbers, tomatoes, oranges). This article contains some great infused water recipes to inspire you!
Practice random acts of kindness.
There is a domino effect when it comes to kindness … if you do something nice for someone else, they’ll be more likely to go out and do something kind for someone else, and so on. Here are some ideas of nice things you can do for others daily.
- Bring treats to your neighbor just because.
- Leave a big tip at a restaurant.
- Hold the door for someone.
- Pick up litter in a local park.
- Tell a coworker you appreciate their hard work.
Little things like this make the world a better place. Keep spreading kindness and positivity wherever you can!
Don’t forget to smile.
Former NFL running back Arian Foster once said, “Everyone should smile. Life really isn’t that serious. The sun rises. The sun sets. We just tend to complicate the process.”
Our brains love it when we smile! One study found that it helps us recover faster from stress and reduces our heart rate. A smile releases tiny stress-fighting molecules called neuropeptides along with serotonin (an antidepressant) and endorphins (a mild pain reliever) that just make us feel flat-out good.
Let’s not forget the fact that smiling is contagious. No, that’s not just a saying … smiles are literally contagious. Your brain is wired to notice, and sometimes copy, the facial expressions of other people. That means if you’re around someone who is happy and wearing a beaming smile on their face, you might find yourself doing the same! Get into the habit of smiling more … it will benefit you and others all at once.
Success isn’t random. Implementing small habits into your life can lead to big things. Ask yourself, “What is one little thing I can start doing today that will bring me closer to where I want to be?”
