Small habits that make a BIG difference
Building small habits is a great way to help you be as consistent as possible, here are our top five small habits that you can incorporate into your life that will contribute to your overall productivity, motivation and health in the long run.
1. Schedule your day – set your most important tasks for the day
One of the easiest ways to be more productive throughout your day is to define your most important tasks for the day. Choosing three things that you must accomplish at the start of each day will help set the tone for a motivated and productive day. Although your day will likely consist of a lot more than three things, scheduling the day for yourself means that no matter what else you do that day, these three tasks will be completed. This is a great way to motivate yourself to complete some of those other tasks you haven’t had the chance to get to just yet.
2. At least 20 minutes of movement each day.
Research shows that the most important cognitive results come from at least 20 minutes of exercise daily. Daily movement or exercise will look different to everyone. Finding an activity that you enjoy will help you stick to a consistent routine, this could be a lunchtime walk, yoga, stretching, or going to the gym.
3. Practise better sleep hygiene
Staying productive throughout the day is almost impossible if you’ve had a terrible sleep the night before. Most experts agree that putting your phone away at least 30 minutes before bed can contribute to better sleep quality. Most of us find it hard not to reach for our phones when we hear a notification, so having your phone automatically turn on Do Not Disturb 30 minutes before bedtime is a great way to put some distance between you and your phone. You can set this up so that certain notifications can still come through so you won’t miss anything urgent. Setting yourself up with the perfect sleeping conditions is another great way to ensure a better night’s sleep. Have the air conditioner set to your desired temperature, invest in comfy sheets and pillows, and turn on your white noise machines. Drinking a soothing tea like chamomile or lighting your favourite candle can also help get you into the habit of winding down before bedtime.
4. Stay hydrated!
Drinking enough water throughout the day is extremely important if you want to stay alert and functioning at your best. Dehydration can cause a lack of energy, focus, motivation and productivity. But how much is enough water? Multiply your bodyweight by 0.033 and you will get your ideal amount in litres. For example – A 70kg person would drink 2.3 litres per day (70 x 0.033)
If drinking all that water sounds a little tedious, adding flavoured water drops can help you get in your recommended litres.
5. Do something that makes you happy
We often spend so much time trying to make everyone else happy, whether that be our boss, our kids, partner or friends that we tend to forget the most important person of all, ourselves! By doing something every single day that is for you and you only, you can become a happier and more positive version of yourself. Something small that might make you happy is having your morning coffee, getting outside or treating yourself to lunch.
Not only will these habits help you stay productive and motivated during the work day, they are contributing to a healthier and more balanced life. Start by adopting just one of these habits into your life and work up from there. You will be amazed at just how much of a difference these small adjustments make to your life.
