A list of daily habits that will change your life
In this post, I’m going to share with you some insanely good daily habits to improve life.
If you’re like me, then you’re constantly looking for ways to become better, get smarter, and live smarter.
Personal development builds your confidence and self-esteem, keeps your brain sharp, drives your motivation, and improves your effectiveness.
You don’t have to adopt all of these habits at once, of course. Every small step you take leads you toward a better life.
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Here’s a list of 50 everyday habits to better yourself
1. Wear sunscreen every day
Wearing sunscreen is among the best habits to improve your life because it’s one of the easiest ways to protect your skin.
You should wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy or rainy, because UV rays can still get through the clouds, and your skin will absorb the majority of these harmful rays.
Here’s a sunscreen with SPF 70 that I personally swear by.
2. Sort out your priorities
Sort out your priorities, because this way you’ll know what to spend your valuable time on. Think about the things that are important to you and focus on them.
Don’t waste your time on things that don’t matter or have no value in your life.
3. Break down big goals into smaller ones
Breaking down bigger goals into smaller ones helps you be more productive. Every goal has its own subgoals.
Think about your goals and what steps you can take to divide them into smaller chunks.
If you break down your goals into smaller, actionable steps, it will be easier to focus on them, and you’ll be more likely to succeed.
4. Smile more
Smiling makes you happier. Smiling, whether it’s forced or voluntary, triggers the release of endorphins into your blood, which boosts your mood.
Besides, smiling makes us more attractive, doesn’t it?
5. Keep up with the news
I think keeping up with the news and being aware of what’s going on in the world around us is really important.
However, choose your sources wisely, and don’t pay attention to yellow journalism or gossip sites.
6. Get up early
There’s a saying that the early bird gets the worm. Waking up earlier is one of the best daily habits to improve your life because it helps you be more productive.
It also improves your mood. If you wake up one hour earlier every day, you’ll have 365 extra hours a year to spend on your hobbies or whatever you’d like to spend them on.
7. Adopt smart financial habits
You’re never too young to start saving money for bigger purchases, such as your own house or a car.
Set smart financial goals, find a way to create passive income, pay off your credit cards, make sure you have an emergency fund, create a budget, and stick to it.
8. Breathing exercises
Breathing exercises are great because they help us be more mindful, aware, and calm.
They also reduce stress and improve our lung capacity. If you haven’t done breathing exercises before, start small.
Take 2-3 minutes a few times a day to really focus on your breathing and try different techniques.
If you’re starting to get comfortable with it, you can increase the time. Here’s a list of breathing exercises to try.
9. Exercise your brain
We know we should take care of both our physical and mental health, but we tend to forget that taking care of our brain also plays an important role in it.
Exercising your brain keeps it sharp and healthy and improves its functions, including memory and the ability to focus.
There are multiple ways to exercise your brain. You can try learning new words, solving beautiful puzzles, meditating, or learning a new skill. Here’s a list of brain exercises to try.
10. Shop once a week
Shopping once a week will save you tons of money and time. You will cut down on impulse buying because, instead of visiting the store every day, you’ll do it only once a week.
Come up with a weekly meal plan, create a shopping list, and stick to it. Trust me, this is one of those good daily habits to improve life that will make a huge difference.
Here’s a budget planner with weekly grocery shopping lists to help you with menu planning.
11. Take regular walks
Taking regular walks is good for both your mental and physical health.
Walking is low-impact and requires minimal equipment, but if you haven’t done any kind of exercise for a longer period, I suggest you talk to your doctor beforehand.
I try to walk for at least 30 minutes a day. If you can’t do this for 30 minutes, even 10–15 minutes is fine because every tiny step you take leads you to a better life.
12. Prepare the night before
Preparing the night before helps you get up earlier and more smoothly. Plan the following day and write down your schedule and important tasks in your planner.
Prepare your coffee machine, your outfit, your breakfast, and also your bag if you know you’re heading out.
13. Enjoy your hobbies
Having a hobby or a few helps reduce stress because you’re keeping your mind engaged in something you like.
Think about what you like and what makes you happier; find yourself a suitable hobby, and find some time every day to enjoy it.
I love riding my motorcycle, and it’s one of those things that reduces my stress dramatically. Here’s a list of 140 fun hobbies that you’re going to love.
14. Create to-do lists
One of the ways to get everything done is by creating various to-do lists. First, you need to sort out the important from the unimportant. I use the Eisenhower matrix for that.
Once you have eliminated all the unnecessary tasks, come up with a to-do list, batch similar tasks together, and make sure to move the important tasks to the beginning.
This is called “eating the frog,” aka working on the hardest tasks first. Here are other fun lists that you can make to organize your life.
There are multiple apps and websites that help you create to-do lists, but I prefer the old-fashioned notebook and pen combo.
You might also like: Unique things to write in a journal when you're bored
15. Repeat affirmations
Repeating affirmations is also among my favorite daily habits to improve my life. Affirmations are positive statements that help us reprogram our minds.
Repeating affirmations every day is a proven way to boost your mood, confidence, and self-esteem.
I’ve also written a post about a year’s worth of powerful life-changing affirmations, so make sure to check this out.
You might also like my blog post about positive body affirmations to increase your confidence.
16. Plan your meals
Planning your meals goes along with shopping once a week. If you plan your weekly meals, it will be much easier to come up with a weekly shopping list.
Also, if you sit down once a week to do meal planning instead of thinking every day about what to eat, you’ll save tons of time that you can spend on something important instead.
Here’s an affordable meal planner that has saved me SO much time that I can now spend on my favorite activities.
17. Complete the hardest task first
Just like I mentioned before, completing the hardest task on your to-do list first is called “eating the frog.”
If you leave the hardest task until the very last minute, you’ll spend the whole day worrying about it. Get it done first thing in the morning, and you’re guaranteed to have a less stressful day.
18. Do the dishes after dinner
Doing the dishes right after eating is among the best life-changing habits for many reasons. No one likes a messy kitchen.
Besides, if you let your dishes pile up, it will be much harder to clean them later, which means you’ll waste more water and more of your valuable time.
19. Daily journaling
Daily journaling is good because it helps you prioritize your problems, clear your emotions, and understand yourself better.
You’ll also improve your quality of life because you’ll be more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down.
Set aside time every day to do some daily journaling. You don’t have to keep a paper journal if you feel more comfortable typing on your laptop.
However, I’m an old-school person, and I prefer the old paper-and-pen method.
Here you can find 160 journal prompts for self-growth, so make sure to check it out. You might also like my evening journal prompts to clear your head before falling asleep.
20. Practice gratitude
I believe that positive thinking attracts positive things, and negative thinking attracts negative things.
That’s why it’s crucial to practice gratitude every day. It allows you to experience more positive emotions, and you’ll attract even more positive things into your life.
Find at least three things every day that you’re grateful for.
To practice gratitude, you can keep a five-minute gratitude journal like this one, share your gratitude with others, or just reflect on the things you’re grateful for.
Here’s an A to Z gratitude list to give you some inspiration.
21. Go minimal
A minimal lifestyle means living with less. This doesn’t mean you have to ditch all of your belongings.
Less really is more, so start small. Marie Kondo has come up with a method that suggests tidying by category.
Get rid of all those items that don’t spark joy in you. Keep your home clutter-free, and you’ll notice that you’ll be much happier.
You might also like: Here's how to start to live a simpler life in this modern world
21. Do a social media detox
Sometimes, it’s really important to take a break from social media. Social media has a lot of good benefits, but it can also lower our self-esteem.
Take at least one day a week off from social media.
Unfollow all those people who don’t make you feel good. If they make you irritated, then you’re only hurting yourself in this process. Unfollow!
22. Exercise
Exercise helps reduce stress and the risk of some diseases. It also boosts your mood and energy and improves your sleep quality.
You don’t have to do vigorous exercise to stay healthy. Find whatever suits you the best, whether it’s yoga, running, or weightlifting, and try to do it for 30 minutes a day.
I love-love these resistance bands, as they are super-duper affordable yet work very well.
23. Stretch
Stretching is good because it helps keep your muscles flexible and prepares you for your workouts. It also helps you relax, increase your flexibility, and decrease your risk of injury.
24. Get more sleep
Getting proper sleep is the backbone of your well-being. Without enough sleep, your body and brain won’t function normally. You can adopt habits that help you sleep better.
Limit your smartphone usage before falling asleep, come up with a strict sleep schedule, create a comfy environment that helps you fall asleep better, and make sure to be active during the daytime as it helps promote better sleep.
25. Create a morning routine
The internet is full of great morning routines, but only you know what suits you and what doesn’t. Use those routines as a source of inspiration, not as a rule.
However, having a proper morning routine like this one is crucial because it helps set the tone for the day. How you spend your morning will affect the rest of the day.
Having a proper morning routine will also increase your productivity because you’ll know exactly what you’re going to do.
26. Focus on one thing at a time
Despite what some people say, multitasking doesn’t improve your productivity at all.
If you concentrate on too many things at once, you won’t get anything done because your mind isn’t built to handle everything at once.
Only a tiny percentage of people are able to multitask. For most of us, multitasking will slow down our brain and productivity. Focus on only one task at a time, and you’ll start seeing better results.
27. Track your expenses
Tracking your expenses is also among some really good daily habits to improve life because it helps you realize where your money is going, what you’re spending the most on, and how to reduce unnecessary spending.
Set up a tight budget and stick to it. Stop impulse buying.
You might also like: How to invest in a better future right now
28. Develop a positive mindset
Having (or not having) a positive mindset affects everything from your mental health to your physical health.
Positive thinking isn’t something that makes all of your problems go away, but it helps you manage and overcome difficulties in a positive manner.
Focus on good things, keep a journal, spend time with people who make you feel good, celebrate small wins, meditate regularly, and visualize your dream life.
29. Visualize
Visualizing is among some good everyday habits to improve yourself because it helps keep your focus on the things you desire.
It goes with manifesting. It is possible to manifest everything you want in your life. You just have to keep visualizing, manifesting, and really believing in this process.
Be patient, focus on your goals, really visualize them, and think positive thoughts, and you’ll attract good things into your life.
30. Create a nighttime routine
Creating a proper nighttime routine like this one is just as important as creating a proper morning routine.
Having a nighttime routine helps you fall asleep and sleep better. If you prepare for the following day the night before, you’ll have already set yourself up for success.
31. Stay hydrated
If you find ordinary tap water too boring, add some berries, lemons, mint, or cucumber to it, and make sure to use a water pitcher with a filter like this one.
I used to find it really hard to remember to drink enough water every day, and I didn’t want to download any reminder apps because they would just drain my phone battery, so I put an empty glass next to the sink.
Every time I leave the toilet, I see this glass, and it reminds me to drink another glass of water.
Here’s my favorite water bottle that literally motivates you to drink more. How cool is that?
32. Volunteer and give back
Volunteering gives you a sense of purpose. It feels good, and it will change your outlook on life because you’ll realize how much you have to be thankful for.
You will make a difference in the world, and the whole process will boost your dopamine and oxytocin levels. This will result in increased pleasure and satisfaction levels.
33. Create a self-care routine
Self-care means doing certain things to maintain or improve your happiness, wellness, mood, and health. Creating a proper self-care routine is a good daily habit.
Having a self-care routine that works for you will help you keep your mind balanced.
Find what makes you happy, and don’t incorporate things you don’t like into your self-care routine list.
Here are lots of self-care evening routine ideas to make your evenings relaxing and soothing.
34. Learn to say no
Learning to say no means you have more time to work on the things that really matter.
Don’t be afraid to say no, and don’t feel guilty if you say no. Remember, you can do anything, but not everything.
Here you’ll find lots of useful advice on how to learn to say “no” without explaining yourself all the time.
You might also like: Find out what other toxic habits you might have
35. Eat healthier
I don’t even think I have to explain why eating healthier is absolutely among the really good habits for a better life.
Eating healthier reduces many health risks and boosts your mood and energy levels.
If you make some healthy changes, you might not see the results overnight, but your body will be thankful to you in the long run.
36. Listen to educational podcasts
Listen to educational podcasts while commuting, cleaning your home, or doing something that doesn’t require much mental attention. Educational podcasts provide you with new information.
They will make you smarter by broadening your knowledge, and they will give you that extra boost of motivation you need.
37. Take the stairs
Whenever you have the opportunity to use an elevator, don’t! Take the stairs instead. Unless you live on the 25th floor, of course.
Taking the stairs is great because it strengthens your muscles and improves your overall health.
38. Clean daily
Instead of spending one weekend every month cleaning your home, do some chores every day.
Sweep and mop your floors, do the dishes, don’t let the laundry pile grow too high, water the plants, and get rid of the dust, and you’ll save more time in the long run.
39. Surround yourself with positive people
Positivity is contagious. Surround yourself with positive people who inspire you and motivate you to work harder.
Positive people make you more positive, and if you’re more positive, more people want to spend time with you. It’s like a snowball effect. A good one, for sure.
You might also like: Affirmations to help you attract positive friendships
40. Do something good for the environment
Try to do something good for the environment every day, whether it’s using less water, conserving energy, reducing your carbon footprint, recycling, or picking up trash from the beach.
These are small things you can do that have a huge impact on the world.
41. Read more
Reading more stimulates your brain, expands your knowledge and vocabulary, reduces your stress levels, and also makes you a better writer.
The more knowledge you have, the more you’re able to think critically, analyze everything, and therefore make better decisions.
Here’s my all-time favorite book that everyone should read at least once in their lives.
42. Have a proper place for everything at home
Having a proper place for everything at home is the key to having an organized home. It will also save you tons of time if you know exactly where something is when you’re looking for it.
While organizing your home, get rid of items that you don’t use or that don’t bring you joy.
43. Declutter your social media presence
Everything that we put on the internet stays there forever. However, we do have some control over our social media presence.
Delete old photos and posts that you’re not proud of, change your e-mail and social media notification settings, unfollow people who don’t represent your values, delete old accounts from pages you don’t use, and declutter your inboxes.
44. Plan and schedule your days
Planning and scheduling your days ensures that they are productive and efficient. If you write something down, you’ll be more likely to do it.
It’s suggested to plan your day the night before, because this way you’re mentally preparing yourself for the following day.
Write to-do lists and use time blocking to manage your day, but don’t overschedule your calendar.
45. Spend at least 30 minutes outside
Getting some sunlight will also increase your vitamin D levels, which will keep your energy levels high.
46. Educate yourself
Educating yourself is a good habit to have because it helps you keep your brain sharp and your mind open, whether it’s through watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, or reading self-help books.
Make it a daily goal to educate yourself every day, and you’ll start seeing your self-confidence and self-esteem rise.
You might also like: Here's a 30-day personal challenge to help you transform your life
47. Meditate
Meditating helps us focus and brings us back to the present. Therefore, it improves our self-awareness. If you’re not familiar with meditation, start slowly.
Try to meditate for 5 minutes every morning and every night, and increase that time as you feel more comfortable with meditating.
48. Sit and stand up straight
It will strengthen your core and provide additional support for your spine.
You will also appear taller this way, which probably makes you feel better about yourself. Poor posture can lead to nerve compression and other medical problems.
49. Make your bed
Making your bed the first (or second) thing in the morning gives your day a better, more productive start. Let’s be honest, it also looks much better.
50. Do something new every day
Do something new every day. Step out of your comfort zone. I know it’s scary, but in my opinion, standing still and not evolving is much scarier.
Make sure to also reward yourself for every small step you take. It’s probably not the healthiest choice, but I really love rewarding myself with ice cream.
If you want to step out of your comfort zone, my 30-day comfort zone challenge will help you push your limits.
You might also like: 101 things in 1001 days that you should try
FAQ: Why are daily habits important?
Daily habits have a significant impact on the way we live our lives and determine our overall well-being.
They provide structure for our daily activities. They also serve as the foundation of our routine.
Consistency in our daily habits leads to better time management and increased productivity. We become more efficient at completing tasks and meeting our goals.
Good habits benefit both our physical and mental health. They help to strengthen our immune systems, reduce stress, and improve our mood.
Bad habits, on the other hand, can have a negative impact on our health and hinder our progress in life. Besides, habits provide us with comfort and stability in our lives.
By sticking to a routine, we can reduce stress and anxiety while increasing feelings of comfort and security. This can result in a more balanced and satisfying life.
These are the most amazing daily habits to improve life
That’s it for today’s post. Let me know in the comments below if you found any new ideas from my list of healthy habits that will change your life.
I’m a personal growth and self-care expert, as well as an avid motorcycle enthusiast and coffee and sweets lover. Through Lauraconteuse, I provide insightful and practical advice on topics such as self-care, self-love, personal growth, and productivity, drawing from my very own extensive experience and knowledge in the field. My blog has helped countless people achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives, and my goal is to continue to inspire and empower others.
A really great list! I love to get up early and have a few minutes of calm before everyone else wakes up and always try to have my days planned the night before. I find it really helpful 🙂
Yesss, 100% true, all of them (except for waking up one hour earlier :), it would be like 5 o’clock in the morning, and for early-bird type of people it probably works, but for night owl it’s torture)
Very inspiring and surprisingly easy to implement in daily life. Thank you for the amazing post!
I’m the worst at doing the hardest task first. I put it off! I really should just do that one first then the rest of the day is easy! Great list! Thanks for sharing.
I love all these habits! I haven’t always been diligent in wearing sunscreen (shame on me!), but I’ve amped up my skincare game in the past year. Now that I live in Phoenix where the summer sun is brutal, I’ve become better about wearing sunscreen daily.
Love your contents. Pls do make one on adulting; living alone, being responsible, budgeting and stuff. xx
Tiffany
Phlanx’s Marketing Specialist
So many great suggestions love them all! I have been working on making daily habits a part of all our family’s routines and it has been so good. Thanks for sharing this amazing list I practice quite a few of these but I found a few more to add to my habit tracker!
These tips were really great! I already do many of them but there were a couple you mentioned that I’m not doing at the moment, but probably should…. haha. Thank you for sharing these amazing habits!
I’ve been wearing sunscreen on my face since I was around 20. I’m 64 now and, although I definitely have laugh lines around my eyes, I do believe that has kept from more damage that would have occurred.
Lots of other great ideas, too!
Great Practical Tips! Yes, on getting up early! Definitely a gamer changer for me as a mom! It’s my quiet hour! Sit and stand up straight – that prompted me to do it now! Thanks for sharing!
Very helpful tips thanks for sharing
Great post. Lots of things I do and agree with. Making sure you set priorities, writing things down, exercising, making lists, cleaning up after you eat, planning meals, spending, and making sure you smile? sets us up for consistency helps us with every day moments. Thank you for sharing this.
Very helpful tips thanks for sharing