I’m been obsessed with self-improvement for as long and I can remember, and I’m on a constant quest to find new ways to be efficient, find balance, and feel good. I love asking people around me about their daily habits, how they structure their days, and what they credit their happiness/ success/ peace of mind to. Over the last few years, I’ve read books, listened to podcasts, and tried out different habits that people suggest and finally found the combination that works for me.

Oftentimes, when people talk about habits, they focus on consistency, discipline, and structure for implementing habits and making them stick. In my opinion, I think the most impactful habits also have meaning behind them and offer something good in return - whether it’s bringing you closer to a goal, providing happiness, easing anxiety, or noticeably improving the quality of your life.

I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs over the last few years, and these are the habits that I credit with helping me get back on track, minimize my anxiety, and now allow me to show up as my best self every day.

daily habits that make a difference

morning and nighttime routines

Having bookends for the day is a really good practice for peace of mind, which I think is more important than happiness. Having morning routine sets me up for success, and I always look forward to my night routine, no matter how the day goes. I keep both really simple so that I can do them anywhere, anytime, no matter how tired I am.

My morning routine:

Wake up and write down 10 things that i’m grateful for. There’s a reason so many people rave about this; it may seem tedious, but I find myself to be an overall more positive person throughout the day since prioritizing gratitude.
Read 5-15 minutes (or a chapter) of a non-fiction book. I know it’s better to get right out of bed, but I need a couple minutes, and reading something rooted in self-improvement is a better habit for me than scrolling through social media. I then think about what I learned from the chapter and how I can incorporate the teachings into my day as I get ready.
Make my bed.
Drink a full glass of lemon water. I’ve gotten used to room temperature, and prep it the night before to save time.
Skincare routine (you can learn more about that here) and brush my teeth.
Get dressed.
Go outside and get a few minutes of fresh air before I start working.

As far as my night routine goes, my phone switches to night mode (yellow light) around 9 and then I will:

Go over tomorrow’s schedule and time block it as best as I can.
Prep and set everything up for the next day that I can - tomorrow’s outfit, bag, laptop charged, organized desk, water cup filled, etc.
Drink a cup of peppermint tea.
Shower.
Skincare routine and brush my teeth.
Get into bed and read until I get tired.

start and end the day with a glass of water

I used to drink soda with my breakfast, so I totally understand the appeal of coffee right when you wake up, but I noticed a big difference in my health when I started drinking a full glass of water before anything else in the morning. It minimizes anxiety and morning jitters, curbs sugar/ junk food cravings, and can prevent headaches later in the day, so I never skip this. In order to make this easy, I fill my bottle before night and have it waiting on my nightstand so it’s ready to go when I wake up. I also tend to drink at least a glass or two before bed as well.

daily movement

Movement is crucial, and you don’t have to work out strenuously to notice the impact.I currently work out about 5x a week, and right now it’s a combination of weight lifting, pilates, and yoga - it all just depends on my schedule and what feels best that day. I prefer to exercise later in the day as it’s a great transition from work mode to personal time, and helps slow my mind down since I’m not able to think about a million things. On the weekends, I’ll try to go for a walk, stretch, or do a quick video on YouTube if I can, but rest days are important, too.

fresh air

Rain or shine, I need at least 15 minutes outside every day. It’s really easy for me to procrastinate when it comes to this, but I notice that I’m in a better mood when I take the time and prioritize it. If I can, I try to leave my phone outside unless I’m talking to someone - emails can wait, and it’s a great practice at being present and expressing gratitude for nature. Regardless of what you believe, our souls have an intrinsic connection to nature, and too much time indoors and under artificial light can’t be good for us.

read

I’ve always loved reading, and aim to read for at least a half hour a day, but I don’t time it out. Downloading the Kindle app on my phone has made this a lot more attainable since I will read during the awkward spaces in the day as opposed to scrolling through social media. If you don’t like to read, I recommend making time for a hobby of some sort that doesn’t include a screen or social media, whether it’s coloring, doing a puzzle, or cooking/ baking. It will help you get out of your head and into the present moment, can nurture a bit of creativity, and is a great way to do something low-stakes that isn’t centered around work, money, or anything stress-inducing that will make your mind go crazy.

reflection time

Journaling is something you hear a lot about, but it’s always sounded kind of labor-intensive or like another tedious task to add to my to do list, to be honest. Some days I like to write things down and other days I don’t, but no matter what, I make time every day for reflection. I wouldn’t call this meditation and there’s no particular structure; i just usually sit or walk and see where my mind goes and try to adjust it to something more positive. If someone comes to my mind during this time, I’ll reach out after.

My Non-Negotiable Daily Habits