I have always heard successful people talk about how you need to develop healthy habits every day and stick with them. People like Oprah, Jay Shetty, and the likes swear by the little things, like the day-to-day activities that help us succeed. So if you want to change your life, you have to closely evaluate how you live your life every day.
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I recently turned the big 3-0, and the host at my party asked my family, what my morning routine was. The answers ranged from praying to setting goals for the day to watching television (well only on the days I’m off work), and so on. Then I came across the email from Thrive Global, asking their contributors to share their best routines. I have discovered that in order for you to get the best out of your day, planning of some sort has to be involved. We are more productive when we have healthy routines in place, to help kick-start our day.
For me, it’s reading my Bible (I am a Christian), praying, going over my to-do list for the day, then get ready and head out to work (I pack my breakfast to work). The days I wake up late and reluctantly get up from my bed, I miss my morning routine in the process. And when that happens, I have found out that I am grouchy, impatient, and overwhelmed with the entire day, because I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, so to speak. So having a regular, healthy routine, not only keeps you centered, it also helps you thrive.
After a long day at work, and dealing with road rage on the way back home, I need something to clear my mind and help prepare me for the next day. After dinner, I do a bit of watching television, work on my plans for the next day, read a book, read my Bible, pray, and then fall asleep while watching Friends or Seinfeld. I try as much as possible to go to bed early, so I don’t wake up still exhausted from the previous day. Our days are full of tasks, to-do lists that need to be accomplished, responsibilities and social media—because we need to keep up with other people’s lives (haha).
Since of all of these come into play, we need time off to regroup and come back to our realities. When I am feeling stressed out, I put down my phone, and don't pick up any phone calls or respond to messages immediately. Also if I am driving, the radio stays off so I can think! Thinking helps you discover things about yourself, thinking helps you put things in their right perspective, thinking also makes room for you to come up with fresh ideas. If your mind is full of clutter, or if you are occupied with your day-to-day activities, and don’t take a couple of minutes from your day, to just be, you will get burnt out easily.
One thing I wish to implement in my regular everyday routine is working out! Gosh, I am so lazy when it comes to exercising, and I love to eat. I have heard countless times on how we should include at least 30 minutes of cardio into our regular routines, and I keep failing at that. Funny thing is that I feel great, anytime I get to work out, but following up with it consistently has proven difficult. My wish is to implement working out frequently into my routine, so I can get an even better start to my day.
In conclusion, routines help shape us and keep us disciplined. If we develop healthy habits every day, we will be well on our way to a more productive and efficient life, that thrives.
Article originally published on Thrive Global.