5 Simple Habits for Living Well

Last Updated on April 25, 2021 by Karen

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In our busy everyday lives, being able to slow down and focus on ourselves is often times easier said than done. Like many of you I’m constantly juggling with many priorities – family, friends, work, chores, and travels – and I’ve started to see how important it is to carve out time for myself to improve my health and sense of well being.  To make this happen in my own life, I’ve found that it’s mostly about changing habits.

Here are the top five habits I rely on to make life a little easier, happier, and less stressed of course!

1.  CLEAN UP THE CLUTTER
Getting rid of clutter is a motto I live by in so many aspects of life and not just the physical stuff that takes up room in our lives, but anything that can keep us from feeling productive and happy. At home, I go through my closet, pantry, and old magazine pile periodically and throw out or donate items I no longer need. That applies to my email inbox, where I file away everything I need and keep only a handful of emails in my inbox at one time, and on my phone too, deleting apps I no longer use.

2.  EAT WELL AND OFTEN
Hunger can make us feel tired and cranky. We end up eating more and making poor food choices. No matter if it’s the weekdays when I’m at the office, or the weekends when I’m home, or even when I’m traveling, I do my best to eat three meals a day plus healthy snacks, and that means no meal skipping or eating a big meal to make up for a skipped meal.

3.  PLAN YOUR DAYS

When it comes to planning my days, I use a calendar synced with my phone and computer to keep track of appointments and to-do items.  I’m a visual person, so scheduling time for things like exercise, chores, and free time is a great way to get an overall perspective of my week.  Looking over your calendar and writing out your to-dos will help you manage your time wisely and ensure there are no surprises.

4.  GET MOVING

This doesn’t necessarily mean a 3-mile run every day, but simply taking 20 minutes on your lunch break to walk around the block, taking the stairs more often, or even parking your car a little farther away from the grocery store can really add up.  If you have a difficult time making moving a habit, try using a fitness tracker to help you stay active.

5.  GET ENOUGH SLEEP 

Not getting enough sleep can affect your metabolism, immune system, and level of energy. For me that also means more junk food cravings. Know how many hours of sleep you need to function at your best.  If you have trouble falling asleep, try adding relaxing activities to your nightly routine. One of my favorite evening routine is to sip on non-caffeinated tea. It’s comforting, cozy, and relaxing at the same time, which makes it easier for me to unwind and get ready for bedtime.

Bigelow’s Benefits, a new line of tea designed to support everyday wellness, are my recent favorite. As we all know it’s important to put good things in our bodies to help us stay strong. With 7 different green and herbal teas like Turmeric Chili Matcha Green and Chamomile and Lavender, they’re everyday teas that fuel your body with good for you ingredients. I especially love sipping on the Lemon and Echinacea Herbal Tea with a bit of honey, not only because it tastes and smell amazing (it’s got lemongrass!), but they can easily become a part of everyday routine to help promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Some say forming a habit takes 21 days. I’d say if we can focus one or two new habits at a time until they become routine, then I’d say we’re doing a pretty good job.

What are some tips you have for living well?