As we start another spectacular year, it is normal to use the beginning as a marker to make resolutions, create goals, and/or drastically change our lives. While these changes often start with good intentions and motivations, they can also end in burnout and, ultimately, are abandoned, especially if the change is too drastic.
Instead of jumping right into major changes that are more likely to come crashing down around you, consider adding these 4 simple things into your daily life that, over time, will help you make the big changes you are working toward.
1. Morning Affirmation
Spend a minute every morning reciting an affirmation. Whether you do this out loud, in front of the mirror, or quietly in your head while you are rushing to put on your shoes, setting out with a positive mindset is key to starting your day off in a way that will support you.
There are many types of affirmations and many ways to cultivate them to fit where you are currently in your life. The key is to make sure that your affirmation is worded positively. For example, if you are working on finding balance and peace in your work life, having the affirmation “I will not be overwhelmed today” seems like you are setting your mind up for a stress-free day.
However, the brain and subconscious only sees the positive wording. So the brain hears, “I will be overwhelmed” and can cause havoc in your day. Instead, change the wording and use an affirmation like, “I have the confidence to approach all things today with joy, ease and grace.” This affirmation is positive, rather than negative.
There is a trend on social media called the Lucky Girl Syndrome, where every morning and all throughout the day you say to yourself “I am really lucky, everything just works out for me and the universe provides for me.” This works because you can say this in so many situations and to so many different people. The more often you say these affirmations and the more people are included in them, the more energy you place behind the manifestation.
2. Meditate
If this automatically sounds like hours of torture trying to sit still in an uncomfortable position while holding hand mudras, know that’s not what we’re suggesting before the image gets stuck in your head. When making small changes to affect your whole life, making the change from no meditation to hours of meditation won’t stick. Taking 1 to 10 minutes to meditate is the way to start making meditation a lifetime habit.
Meditating is all about focusing on connection with your body. If you take 1 minute and 4 seconds, you can do the box breath meditation. For this simple meditation, breathe in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds. Then, hold your breath for 4 seconds and repeat this 4 times. Voila! You’ve spent a minute and 4 seconds doing a meditation without too much effort.
Another way to do an unconventional meditation is to walk for 10 minutes with some sort of intention. This could mean that every time you take a step you imagine leaving things behind you that weigh you down. Or you can walk while consciously feeling the air flowing into your lungs and then flowing out of your lungs while clearing thoughts from your mind.
There are thousands of ways to meditate, and different meditation types will be helpful when you are experiencing different challenges. Find what works best for you in order to help keep the habit flowing.
3. Spend 5-10 Minutes in Nature
You can combine this with your meditation time or use it on its own, but spending any amount of time outside is beneficial to your mind, body and spirit. It is even more helpful if you spend time in direct sunlight, so you can get some much needed Vitamin D, but anytime of day will work!
Spending time outside allows you to disconnect from your busy life and ground yourself in the world around you. It can help you refresh yourself and give you an energy boost to continue on with your day.
It doesn’t matter if you are in the center of the city, sitting on a balcony, hiking through the forest in the densest mountains, or even running errands! Allowing yourself this time will help change your overall well being.
4. Read Every Day
Reading doesn’t have to mean that you pick up the dictionary and start cramming words. Even if you’re learning new things when you do this, it’s not the best way to go about retaining what you learn.
Holding a book and consuming words allows your brain to connect with your body. And not only does it help you connect with yourself, it can also help you relate and connect to others around you. This allows self-growth to happen naturally and easily.
So if you like reading fictional young adult graphic novels, the newest positive self help book, celebrity memoirs, or the latest in science fiction, go for it! Adding this time for yourself—whether it’s three minutes or thirty—is a small way that you can start making a change in your life.
And there you have it! 4 small changes to your daily routine that can help you accomplish those bigger goals, without the overwhelming feeling of a New Year’s Resolution. These suggestions shouldn’t take the place of your larger, more targeted goals. Rather, these 4 changes are actionable steps that you can take to help guide you on your way to those amazing, life-altering changes.
Let us know if you have any small, daily routines that help you! We’d love to hear about them!
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