67 Good Habits to Kick-Start Your Self-Improvement Journey
Do you have dreams that seem so far away or goals that never seem to stick? You’re not alone! Whether it’s pursuing a healthier lifestyle, creating meaningful relationships, reading more books, saving money, or getting organized – self-improvement can sound like a challenge. But the truth is there are loads of good habits we can all work on and small steps we can take toward success. Today I’ll share some simple yet effective tips to help get you started on your self-improvement journey with confidence – let’s jump in!
Mental Habits
1. Reading books
Reading has many benefits, including improving vocabulary, developing a better understanding of the world, and helping to improve writing skills. Reading also allows people to escape into different worlds and learn about different cultures. It is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day.
2. Journaling
Journaling is a great way to keep track of your thoughts and feelings. It can also help you to process events and experiences. Journaling can be a great way to work through problems or challenges. It can also be a tool for self-reflection and growth.
3. Meditating
Meditating just 10-30 minutes each day is great for stress relief and has been shown to decrease anxiety.
4. Watching helpful videos
5. Listen to podcasts
6. At least 30 minutes of Self-time
It’s important to have a sense of self-time because it allows us to be aware of how we’re spending our time, what we need to do, and how much time we have left to do it. Without a sense of self-time, it can be easy to get lost in the moment and lose track of what’s important. Having a sense of self-time can help us stay on track and be more productive.
7. Doing things you enjoy
Sports, hobbies, video games, puzzles, etc.
8. Yoga
9. Learn new things
There’s always something you can learn. Maybe it’s a new language, new skill, or new hobby to try. It’s good to expand your knowledge and skills to better improve yourself.
10. Solving a puzzle
11. Read informational articles
12. Get some sunlight
According to Healthline.com, we should get 10-30 minutes of sunlight per day. it helps our bodies produce vitamin D, which is important for strong bones and teeth. Sunlight also helps us regulate our moods and sleep cycles.
Physical Habits
13. Play a sport
Playing sports is a great way to stay healthy and have fun. It can also help you make friends and improve your teamwork skills.
14. Lift weights
15. Swimming
16. Running
17. Calisthenics
There are many reasons why calisthenics is good. First, it is a great way to get in shape and improve your cardiovascular health. Second, it is a low-cost and low-impact exercise that can be done anywhere. Bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, body weight squats, dips, etc.
18. Plyometrics
19. Stretch
When you stretch, you are lengthening your muscle fibers. This is good for two reasons: 1) It keeps your muscles flexible, which can help you avoid injuries; and 2) When your muscle fibers are lengthened, they can store more energy, which can help you perform better athletically.
Aim to stretch for 10-30 minutes daily.
20. Warming Up Before a Workout
21. Biking
22. Try fitness challenges
23. Challenge yourself to a marathon
24. Begin a fitness journey/create a fitness goal
Whether it’s building muscle, losing weight, or even creating a healthy lifestyle, fitness is an essential part of our lives that shouldn’t be neglected.
Health and Diet Habits
25. Minimize processed foods
Processed foods are typically high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and added sugars. By minimizing processed foods, you can reduce your intake of unhealthy additives and improve your overall health.
26. Take a multivitamin
Multivitamins are great for providing you with essential vitamins and minerals that you may not be getting otherwise. Multivitamins can also improve your overall health and may help to reduce your risk of certain diseases.
27. Drink plenty of water throughout the day
28. Drink 3 cups of water as soon as you wake up
Water flushes toxins out of the body, and drinking it in the morning helps to kick-start your metabolism.
29. Don’t eat 3 hours before bedtime* (*assuming you’re trying to maintain or lose weight)
30. Consume less sugar
Sugar is high in calories and can lead to weight gain if eaten in large amounts. Additionally, sugar can also have negative effects on our health, such as increasing our risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.
31. Minimize Alcohol
32. Minimize Drug use
34. Track your nutrition
By tracking calories, you can keep track of how much you’re eating and make sure you’re not overeating. This can help prevent weight gain and obesity.
My fitness pal, Lose It!, Lifesum, etc.
Personal Hygiene
35. Brush twice a day, once in the morning and once at night
36. Floss before bed
Letting foods and sugars sit in your teeth overnight can cause tooth decay and cavities.
37. Create a skincare routine
38. Shower Daily
39. Use deodorant
40. Use cologne
Not always needed, but it doesn’t hurt to smell good.
41. Put dryer sheets in shoes to help eliminate odor
42. Get haircuts
A haircut is a good way to keep your hair looking neat and tidy. It can also help to make your hair look thicker and fuller. A haircut can also help to prevent split ends and other damage to your hair.
Even when you’re growing out your hair, it’s good to get a routine maintenance haircut to prevent split ends and keep your hair neat.
43. Wash your hands after eating, bathroom, etc.
44. Keep your nails neat
45. Clean your ears
46. Use a napkin to blow your nose
Productivity Habits
47. Limit phone screen time
One reason our phones may be reducing productivity is that we are constantly checking them for new messages or notifications. This can interrupt our work and cause us to lose focus.
Additionally, many of us are using our phones as our primary means of communication, which can also interrupt our work.
48. Plan out your day the night before
Create a to-do list or tasks to give you a structure for your upcoming day. This is great for increasing productivity and decreasing procrastination.
49. Take small 5-10 minute breaks
50. Eliminate distractions
Tv, video games, and smartphones/devices can increase procrastination and decrease productivity.
51. Put your phone on do not disturb
Putting your phone on do not disturb will help reduce distractions and can help you get into a great workflow.
52. Spend 30 minutes to 1 hour planning out the week
It can be helpful to list out the task and create an outline of what your week will look like. This will give you more time to complete tasks and less time to think about your next move.
53. Wake up early
54. Get good rest/sleep
Sleep has many benefits, including improving cognitive function, memory, and mood. Additionally, sleep deprivation can lead to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Depending on your age, the amount of recommended sleep will vary. For adults, CDC.gov recommends 7 or more hours of sleep each night.
55. Prioritize important tasks
Maintenance Habits
56. Wash dishes after cooking
The more your dishes pile up, the more overwhelming the task will become. It’s good to keep the pile low and keep your kitchen sink looking clean.
57. Do laundry once a week
58. Keep your room clean and organized
59. Throw away trash before it over piles
60. Fix your bed in the morning
Money Habits
61. Get a whiteboard and list out your monthly bills/expenses
This is great for being aware of upcoming bills and keeping you from paying bills past due dates. Paying your bills on time or early is aa great way to build your credit score.
62. Don’t spend over what you make
63. Create a budget
64. Don’t max out credit card
65. Pay off your credit card before the due date (in full if possible)
66. Control impulse buying
67. Prioritize needs over wants
Final Thoughts
Though starting good habits may be difficult, it will be worth it in the long run. You’ll feel better, both physically and mentally, and you’ll likely see improvements in other areas of your life as well. So choose one or two from the list above to work on today — and remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Just keep at it, and eventually, those small changes will add up to big results!
