Created by Mike & Mollie. Subscribe to our blog.
In this fast-paced, technology-driven world, it can be hard to progress through your day without becoming overwhelmed. We’re all given the exact same minutes and hours and have the choice of how we fill that time.
Over the past few years, I’ve found myself asking how I can better use my time and energy to make the most out of my day and avoid feeling stressed or unmotivated.
It’s through learned daily habits that have allowed me to find the most inner simplicity and satisfaction in my life.
If you search the internet for “best habits to do”, I’ll bet there are hundreds of meaningful ones that will benefit your life. But if we’re honest with ourselves, we can’t do all the habits and routines that sound good.
The key here is to decide what’s best for you personally.
Below is a list of 101 daily habits that I believe bring the most simplicity and allow for a healthy balance of productivity and enjoyment in your day. As you read, decide what’s best for you…so take a few or take dozens, but only do what will help you live with more intentionality and simplicity.
If this is your first time on our site, This Evergreen Home is a blog written by a husband and wife team about living intentionally in this modern world. You can check out the archives to get a feel for the kind of content we create.
If you’d like to receive each new weekly post delivered straight to your inbox, we welcome you to subscribe and follow along.
And now, we hope you enjoy our list of 101 habits to live life more intentionally…
Morning Habits
- Start the day with a consistent wake time, and stick to it. Waking up at the same time each day is one of my favorite habits I’ve ever begun. I’ve found that by sticking to a consistent wake time, I can train my body to wake up when I want it to, making it easier to get out of bed in the morning. It also helps me structure my day and better manage my time.
- Rise early before the rest of the house. I’ve always been a morning person, but rising early before the rest of the house is a game changer. I get to enjoy the peace and quiet of the morning, as I prepare myself mentally and physically for the day. This habit has made me more calm and efficient, and I feel better overall.
- Establish a set routine for the first hour of your day. The first hour of the day has been found to be one of the most important of our waking hours. Our energy and motivation are high so having a set routine for this time encourages us to begin each day on a good foot. My first hour involves getting dressed, making coffee, reading, praying, and opening up the curtains throughout the house.
- Get yourself dressed right away. The simple act of getting dressed right away can have a big impact on the rest of your morning. It can be easy to stay in bed and lounge around in my pajamas, but getting up and getting dressed automatically makes me feel more productive and motivated.
- Meditate or pray. By taking a few minutes to meditate or pray, we can bring a sense of peace and calm to our day. When I prioritize doing this during the first hour of my day, I am filled with more positivity and less stress. The tasks of the day don’t seem as insurmountable when I have time to fill my soul before jumping into the day.
- Write 5 things you’re grateful for in a gratitude journal. Writing in a gratitude journal has allowed me to reflect on the positive aspects of life as I’m encouraged to appreciate what I have rather than dwell on what is lacking. It also helps to shift my focus from negative to positive experiences, which definitely improves my mood and the way I treat others the rest of the day.
- Have a healthy breakfast, even if it’s the same thing every day. When it comes to starting your day off right, they say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While it may be tempting to push the snooze button and skip breakfast altogether, studies have shown that having a healthy breakfast can make a big difference when it comes to your overall health. My current go-to breakfast is a bowl of homemade muesli topped with fresh berries.
- Identify what feels hard this week, and commit to praying through those struggles. Identifying what feels hard is a way I’ve been able to work through some of my mental challenges. I know God is bigger than my struggles and will provide me with the strength to endure, so praying through them each morning allows me to let go of what I can’t control.
- Lay the kids’ breakfast out before they wake up. I find that when I lay my kids’ breakfast out before they wake up, it makes for a smoother morning. I don’t have to scramble to make them something to eat while they’re getting impatient and it starts our day off on a calmer note.
- Empty the dishwasher. By emptying the dishwasher before my day gets too busy, this eliminates the build up of dirty dishes in the sink as the day goes on. It’s a small thing, but makes a big difference when I can see a clean sink and countertop throughout the day.
- Make your bed. Making my bed is one of the first things I do each morning. This small 2-minute task allows me to feel more prepared for the day, have a tidy bedroom, and gives me a sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning. Plus, the simple act of pulling back my sheets before crawling into bed at night is quite refreshing.
- Greet everyone with a warm embrace each morning. As each member of my family wakes up, I always stop what I’m doing and take a moment to greet everyone with a hug and a simple affirmation, like “I’m so glad to see you and spend the day with you, how did you sleep?”.
- Have a daily skincare routine. Did you know that starting at age 25, our skin begins to show the first signs of aging? One habit I do every morning and evening is my simple skincare routine. There are countless skincare products out there, but whatever you decide to use, get into the habit of cleansing, moisturizing, and applying a light layer of sunscreen each morning.
- Stretch your body. As we get older, our bodies start to feel less flexible and agile. Stretching the major muscles of your body is a great habit to do each morning and helps to increase the range of motion in your joints, improves blood circulation and posture, and decreases muscle tension throughout your body. A great habit to do is stretch while you wait for your coffee to brew!
- Floss your teeth. In all honesty, I know flossing is good for me, but it’s been one of those habits that comes and goes in seasons of life. Bottom line, if you want to put your best foot (or tooth!) forward with oral health…floss every day!
- Limit the amount of coffee you consume. I enjoy a hot cup of coffee just as much as any other coffee drinker, but too much (more than four cups) can have negative effects on our health– such as headaches, anxiety, trouble sleeping, or the inability to stay focused. Know your limits and stick to a reasonable amount.
- Get outside each morning. Exposure to early morning sunlight is one of the best ways to sleep better at night, enhance your mood throughout the day, and even lose weight. My husband takes a walk around our neighborhood every morning shortly after getting up and doing this gives him a boost of energy for the day and helps to keep his circadian rhythm on track.
Daily Habits
- Wash that dish after using it. Making it a habit to wash dishes immediately after using them has made my kitchen much more organized and usable. I have less dishes piling up in the sink and on the counters, and I don’t have to search for clean dishes when I need them.
- Determine what days you’ll accomplish regular household chores and write it down. When I have a set day for doing things like laundry and cleaning, I’m much more likely to stay on top of them without feeling overwhelmed. By writing it down, this helps me to map out my week by taking on tasks when I have enough time and energy to get them done.
- Decide once on simple routines. Deciding once on things that you do each day is one of the best ways to add simplicity to your day. It reduces the need to rethink through practices you do over and over again. Some habits/routines that I’ve decided once on are self-care practices, hygiene products, lunches for the kids, my cleaning schedule, and meal planning.
- Have a game plan for your day. Having a game plan for my day keeps me focused and on track. At the beginning of each week, I briefly map out what events or tasks I have going on. Then, the night before, I think through what the following day looks like. I prepare anything in advance by laying it out, that way when I wake up I can ease into the day feeling on-top of things already.
- Make a 3-item to-do list and commit to accomplishing them first before tackling other tasks. I used to frequently make to-do lists in an attempt to be more productive. However, I often found myself getting sidetracked and not accomplishing much on my list because the list seemed too overwhelming. Instead, I now make a 3-item to-do list and tackle those items first before moving on to anything else.
- Have an afternoon quiet time. I’ve learned that I need quiet time in the afternoons to give myself a break (particularly from the endless questions that the kids ask all morning!). From the hours of 1:00-3:00pm, we have quiet time in our house. Those who still nap, take naps. The rest of us have our designated spaces for quiet time. I’m able to have time to write, read a book, or do anything else that seems relaxing. I’m much more equipped to finish the day’s tasks when I’ve had this time to rest.
- Text or call someone and tell them you’re thinking about them. Reaching out to someone and letting them know you’re thinking of them can really brighten their day. When a friend or family member pops into your mind, let that be your nudge to pick up your phone and tell them you’re thinking about them– you won’t regret it!
- Don’t rely on someone else to do it for you. I can be too quick to wait for my husband to step in and take over a difficult task. But I’ve learned that avoiding hard things doesn’t make me more resilient and capable in the long run. It’s through taking the leap to do what’s uncomfortable that produces grit and perseverance.
- Do something you enjoy. Taking just a few minutes out of your day to do something you really enjoy can make a big difference in your overall mood and well-being. It can help you relax and recharge, and also helps you refocus and be more productive when you return to your work. For me, it’s taking a walk, reading, or making an afternoon cup of coffee.
- Share something you’re reading, listening to, or learning with your spouse or friend. Sharing interesting things that I’m reading or listening to with my husband is a way for us to connect and stay in-tune with each other’s interests. Conversations such as these are some of our favorite ways to spend an evening together.
- Do something kind for someone around you. When you do something kind for someone, it not only makes them feel cared for, but it also makes you feel good too and encourages a spirit of generosity. Something as simple as holding the door open for someone, sharing a compliment, or giving a small thoughtful gift can be just the emotional boost they need.
- Eat your meals sitting down. I’m guilty of occasionally grabbing a meal on the run, but when we take the time to sit down to eat, we become more mindful of our eating habits. Sitting down to eat helps our digestion and absorption of nutrients and also encourages us to not overeat. Plus, it allows us to slow down and be present with others.
- Step outside in nature. Being outside (especially in nature) has many benefits for our overall health. If you can, step outside for a few minutes each day, even if it’s just to walk through town. You’ll notice a difference in your mood and energy levels.
- Limit your involvement in toxic relationships. Unhealthy relationships can be draining, stressful, and cause us to carry around unneeded burdens. It’s okay to take a step back from those relationships, even with those you once felt close with. Learn how to walk away from relationships that no longer are healthy for you.
- Check email less often. Scrolling your email or social media can be addictive, but checking your phone less often will help to declutter your mind and give you more time to focus on other things. I’ve learned to set daily time limits on my phone and have designated a point of my day that I check email.
- Express gratitude to those around you often. When we choose to express gratitude to those around us, it’s a simple act that can change the entire tone of our day. Going out of your way to say “thank you” or “I appreciate you” is always worth it and encourages others to do the same.
- Check your posture when you’re sitting and standing. Do you ever wonder why your back or neck hurts after sitting or standing still for a while? Chances are, it’s because your posture is off. It’s an easy thing to neglect having good posture, but checking to make sure it’s correct can make a big difference in how your back and spine feel. To check your posture, try this simple tip.
- Bring items in from the car when returning home. This is one of those simple 2-minute habits that’s easy to do, but can create a big mess if we neglect it. Upon arriving back home, bring in kids’ toys, snack cups, water bottles, books, gym bag, shoes, and any other items you may have brought with you. Commit to this task daily and you’ll have a much tidier vehicle.
- Be quick to forgive and move on. When we harbor resentment and anger towards someone who has wronged us, it only causes us pain and suffering. Forgiving and forgetting may not be easy, but it is always worth it in the end. Life is too short to waste time carrying around negative feelings.
- Limit processed foods. There are countless diets and health plans out there, but having a healthier lifestyle could be as easy as limiting the amount of processed foods you eat. A simple way my family tries to do this is by eating as many whole foods as we can– limiting the deli meats, pre-packaged snacks, and sodas and instead eating more fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and homemade bread.
- Move your body, even if it’s a simple 15 minute walk around the block. I believe that moving your body and getting your heart pumping every day is one of the most important ways to improve your health and mood. You don’t have to do a strenuous workout to get the benefits, but even a brisk 15 minute walk is a great habit to begin.
- Smile more (even if it’s fake!). Did you realize that smiling, even if it’s fake, can make us feel happier? When we smile, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin (those feel-good hormones), which are linked to happiness and pleasure. So, even if you don’t feel like smiling, faking it can still give some real health benefits!
- Do one load of laundry a day. Laundry is one of those chores that always seems never-ending in our home. It seems like as soon as I put a load in the washing machine, another one is waiting to go in the dryer. The simplest way I’ve found to stay on top of laundry is to do one load a day.
- Involve your kids in an age-appropriate chore routine. At our house, we involve our kids in an age-appropriate chore routine to help teach them important life skills and the value of contributing to the family. It’s not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it the persistent effort of teaching them these life skills.
- Limit your time on social media. Scrolling social media has become one of the biggest ways to steal my attention. Setting a daily time limit has been the most helpful way for me to use it less frequently. When I’ve reached the allotted time, that’s my queue to shut down the app until tomorrow. Whatever I didn’t get to post or view can wait until the next day.
- Find a home base for your phone. Intentionally setting the phone out of my reach in a designated home (especially while I’m engaging with others) allows for a natural separation. The temptation to do a “quick check” of apps is strong, so this removes the impulse to do so. Plus, I spend less time searching for my phone when it’s back in its home.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Did you know that only 1 in 10 adults eat enough fruits and vegetables? Some helpful ways I’ve found to increase my consumption of these foods are to have them cut up at the start of the week for easy access, make veggie based soups, have green smoothies for breakfast or a snack, and place them at eye level in my fridge so I don’t forget about them.
- Turn off notifications on your phone. When we’re constantly bombarded by notifications, our brains get a hit of dopamine, lighting up our pleasure center, which makes it nearly impossible not to engage with the alert. Turning off notifications, particularly to social media and email, removes this urge to be on call 24/7.
- Take time to breathe. As my day goes on, it’s easy to forget to take a moment to slow down and intentionally breathe deeply. Deep breaths are so healthy for us and allow us to reduce stress that’s built up. I like to use the free app, iBreathe- Relax and Breath, to remind me throughout the day to breathe.
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption. A mindful level of alcohol always leads to more clear thinking, better sleep, lower rates of cardiovascular disease, and it saves a lot of money!
- Cook (most of) your meals at home, and enjoy the process. Making dinner and feeding the people that live in your home is one of those daily tasks that we all have to do. Cooking at home instead of eating out saves money, allows you to control the ingredients you eat, and can be an enjoyable way to serve your family.
- Make a plan for dinner at the start of the week. Not planning your meals for the week is similar to setting out for a drive without a destination in mind. You’ll likely take detours and unintended pit stops along the way. Planning your meals limits impulse spending on items you don’t need and allows you to overlap ingredients to avoid wasting food, particularly produce.
- Make a store list and stick to it. When it comes to impulse spending, researchers from OnePoll found that 30 percent of total grocery expenditures by Americans was done impulsively. That’s why making and sticking to a list is essential in order to keep a budget in check.
- Order groceries online to avoid impulse buying and decision fatigue. One effect of the pandemic has been an increase in the availability of online grocery shopping. If you’re the kind of person that has a hard time sticking to a set grocery list and impulse buying is a habit, consider purchasing groceries online.
- Have a rule to own only what is useful or beautiful. My husband and I believe that having fewer possessions makes life easier and less complicated. Owning fewer things can simplify your life, but it’s not the only reason to declutter your home. Keeping only what is useful or beautiful can also help you save money, time, and energy.
- Declutter before organizing. When a space feels cluttered, moving items around to a new spot won’t solve your clutter issue or alleviate stress long-term. It’s a waste of time, money, and space to think that having a better system of organization will be the fix to getting rid of the stuff you don’t regularly use or love. Declutter first and then organize what you have remaining after that.
- Throw away or recycle any item that is broken and can’t be fixed easily. I can be guilty of holding onto toys or items that break, telling myself, “I’ll just fix that later”. Later usually doesn’t come and the item inevitably remains on my counter. I’ve learned that if I can’t fix something easily that same day, it’s time to recycle or throw it away.
- Ask yourself the Magic Question– “What can I do now to make my life easier later?”. By asking myself what I can do now to make my life easier later, I force myself to think about the long-term implications of my actions. Asking the Magic Question involves eliminating the pain points in my life by making small choices ahead of time.
- Be curious about others you run into. Taking an interest in others can be a great way to start meaningful conversations and develop lasting relationships. Spending a few moments to learn someone’s name and ask them how they are can be an easy icebreaker to start a great conversation. People appreciate when you are interested in them and it can be the start of something deeper.
- Commit to doing those 2-minute tasks right away. One way we’ve addressed the overwhelm of clutter in our home is by deciding on two-minute habits. The rule is simple– if something takes 2 minutes or less, we do it right away.
- More single tasking, less multitasking. As a busy mom, it can be tempting to multitask my way through the day, but that usually doesn’t end up producing quality results. Instead, I aim to focus on one task at a time (from my 3-item to-do list) and commit to finishing that job before moving on to anything else.
- Empty any trash or unneeded items from your bag or purse. One habit I’ve learned to do as soon as I step inside the door is to remove any trash or unneeded items from my purse. This allows me to carry around less “stuff” and it’s easier to find the few items that I regularly use.
- Do something with kids’ artwork. My kids enjoy making artwork but we can’t possibly hang onto all of it. A few ways I’ve learned to show appreciation for their work is by displaying them on a large bulletin board, taking photos of special pieces to put in a our annual family yearbook, or placing the most memorable ones in a keepsake box.
- Leave margin as you make a plan for the week. Leaving margin in your week is a great way to make sure you’re not trying to cram too much into your day. At the start of each week, my husband and I map out the week and schedule intentional time for rest, relational connections, and time with the family. This helps us not only to feel less stressed and relaxed, but makes us more productive throughout the week.
- Use a “clutter bin” for kids’ items that get left on the floor. One of the most effective ways we manage the scattered toys around the house is by using a “clutter bin” in our living room. It’s a simple canvas bin where throughout the day all loose toys, socks, books, and other “kid items” get tossed into. This system eliminates the constant request of asking the kids to tidy up the floors. Instead it’s cleaned out every morning and each item gets returned back to its home.
- When in doubt, throw it out. If you’re wishy-washy about getting rid of items, you’re not likely to make a dent in decluttering. Indecisiveness will leave you with decision fatigue and a house full of items you may not even use—ultimately leading to more clutter and greater stress.
- Use a “just in case bin” to ease the transition of decluttering. To ease the transition of items you’re not comfortable parting with, consider keeping a “just in case bin”. Place any items in a bin that you’re not sure if you’ll use later and tuck that bin away and out of reach. If you don’t end up using the item in the next six months, you likely won’t need it later on, which is a good reason to get rid of it.
- Drink a green smoothie. Do you have a hard time getting your recommended fruit and veggie amount each day? Making a green smoothie is a great way to get the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Our favorite recipe is 1 banana, a handful of spinach, 1 cup of any assortment of frozen berries, a spoonful of chia seeds, ½ cup of yogurt, and water to blend.
- Ask yourself how you can make someone else happy today? Thinking of ways to make others happy is a meaningful habit that can bring joy to those around us. From small acts of kindness like visiting an elderly neighbor to larger gestures like volunteering at a local charity, there are countless ways to show that you care about the well-being of others.
- Read fewer news sites. Spending too much time consuming news can be overwhelming and even stressful. Taking a break from news websites and focusing on meaningful activities can help clear the mind and bring more joy and peace. Choose only your favorite news outlet instead of three or four. You’ll have more time and mental energy to spend doing other things.
- Choose to believe only helpful thoughts. It’s easy for me to get caught up in negative thinking and spiral into a discouraging mindset filled with self-doubt, but this only clutters up my mind and soul. I try to make a conscious effort to fill my mind with only uplifting and constructive thoughts. It’s not easy, but makes a big difference in my outlook, which brings me more joy and less comparisons.
- Praise more, complain less. No one prefers to be around someone who is a negative Nancy– it casts a burden on everyone else’s mood and brings discouragement and gloom. Instead, make a conscious effort to recognize and appreciate someone’s good qualities, rather than their flaws.
- Swap a sugary dessert for a piece of fruit. I occasionally enjoy my favorite sugary dessert, but getting into the habit of regularly eating sweets is unhealthy both for your physical and mental wellbeing. If you need something sweet, try an apple with peanut butter, fresh berries with yogurt, or my favorite– a piece of dark chocolate with a high cocoa content.
- Empty your email inbox. Clearing out emails that have been taken care of can help reduce distractions, allow for easier organization, and help prioritize tasks. Doing this on a regular basis has allowed me to have a less cluttered digital life.
- Have a container of healthy, easy to grab produce in the fridge. As soon as I get my groceries each week, I wash and cut up a variety of fruits and veggies to store in the fridge. This allows me to easily prepare a nutritious meal or snack for my family throughout the day instead of reaching for a less healthy prepackaged snack.
- Drink water frequently. We’ve all heard that drinking enough water is vital for our health, but many don’t always make an effort to get the recommended amount. To make this habit stick, try tying it to a regular routine– like drinking a glass every time you brush your teeth, have a meal, or use the bathroom.
- Step outside each day and breathe in the fresh air. The simple act of stepping outside to breathe in the fresh air (even for just a few minutes) is a small habit that can greatly benefit your health. Try taking a moment to appreciate nature, the weather, or what’s going on right outside your front door. It’s a great way to clear your mind and refresh your senses.
- Challenge yourself to do something hard. When we get too comfortable with what’s easy and known well, it limits our ability to try new things and do hard work. Doing something outside your comfort zone might be challenging at first, but it produces grit and perseverance and encourages a growth mindset.
- Be someone others can count on. When you’re a dependable person, those around you feel more comfortable reaching out to you for help. They’ll also appreciate knowing that you will be there for them when they need you. Being reliable is a great way to strengthen and maintain your close relationships.
- Pay attention when others are talking to you. Taking the time to listen and be mindful of what others are saying is an important habit to cultivate. Not only will it make you a better communicator, but it will also show those around you that you respect their opinions and perspectives. Paying attention when someone speaks not only helps you to better understand their point of view, but it will also deepen your relationships.
- Write out your feelings. Sometimes it’s hard to have those honest, emotional conversations with others. One strategy I’ve learned recently is to write out my feelings in the form of a letter. Whether or not I give this letter to the person whom I’m writing to, it allows me to get the thoughts out of my head and onto paper. Doing this helps me to gather and analyze my thoughts so that I’m better prepared to address the root of the issue.
- Put your shoes, coat, and bag away as you enter your home. These items are easy to put away but can make a huge mess when everyone decides to dump their belongings right inside the front door. A rule we have is that as soon as we step inside the front door, these things get returned back into their homes.
Evening Habits
- Sit and enjoy dinner as a family. Each night that we’re home, having family dinner is one of our highest priorities. It’s a time to promote a community aspect by gathering for 15-30 minutes. Only about half of families actually eat dinners together, even though 84% of parents agreed that they were important. Not only are they important for connecting with one another, but they promote healthier habits and better academic success for kids.
- Say a prayer or thank the cook before eating. Before eating each meal, our family takes a minute to thank the Lord for our provisions. Even if you’re not religious, thanking the hands who prepared the meal is a respectful habit that shows gratitude for what has been thoughtfully prepared.
- Encourage your children to say the prayer. From a young age, we model and teach our children how to pray. Inviting them to say grace at dinnertime gives them a chance to thank God as our provider and acknowledge that He is good and the source of everything.
- Light some candles to encourage lingering at the table. Lighting candles is a simple way to add some hygge at the dinner table, and can be done with a minimum of effort. We have two pillar candles lit at every dinner and they remind us to slow down and enjoy the company of each other.
- Come up with a simple list of fun discussion topics to engage your family in conversation at dinner. Having a list of engaging topics is an excellent way to start meaningful conversations with your family during dinner. Not only can these conversations bring everyone closer together, but they can also help them learn more about each other which can lead to a stronger, more positive relationship.
- Move from surface-level to deep connections with your family. It takes work to create deeper connections instead of just acknowledging each other on the surface. Make time to ask how their day went as you listen and thoughtfully respond. Ask how they’re doing by conveying that you care. Show and interest in what they enjoy and even find a shared hobby to do together.
- Encourage the whole family to help clean up after dinner. Instead of running off to play and leaving the kitchen for the adults to clean up, we all contribute. From clearing the dishes off of the table, loading up the dishwasher, vacuuming under the table, and then tidying up the floors, our kids are taught to take part in helping to clean up before beginning their bedtime routine.
- End the night with a clean sink. Ending the night with a clean sink is one of the most simple habits that leaves me feeling tidy and organized. When I wake up the next morning, I’m able to start the day off with a clear and clean kitchen. This makes it easier in the morning to jump right into my day without having to worry about cleaning up a mess in the sink from yesterday.
- Run the dishwasher every night. Running the dishwasher each evening is a regular routine that allows us to begin each day on a good note. My daughter unloads it after breakfast which then gives us a spot to place all the dirty dishes we use throughout the day and eliminates the backlog of items waiting to be loaded into the dishwasher.
- Put every item back in its home before going to bed. Each evening before beginning our bedtime routine, we all work to put any items back into their homes. When we wake in the morning, we’re not greeted with yesterday’s clutter, which can cause stress. This simple nightly habit helps us to stay on top of cleaning and allows us to begin each day with a fresh start.
- Take time to hug your children or spouse. Did you know that there are actually some great health benefits of cuddling? When you snuggle close to your child or spouse, your brain releases oxytocin, which makes you feel more calm, less stressed, and even decreases your level of physical pain. So the next time you need a boost of positive emotions, find someone you love and give them a snuggle.
- Put the kids to bed early so you have time with your spouse. Making time for your spouse is an important part of any relationship. One way we’ve done this ever since our kids were babies was to have an earlier bedtime for them. This has always allowed us to have uninterrupted quality time together to connect and deepen our marriage.
- Unplug and choose to truly connect. Unplugging is a powerful way to reduce distractions and create meaningful connections with the people around you. Doing this allows us to make the conscious choice to take control of how we spend our time and dedicate it to the things that really matter. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through our screens, we can choose to engage in meaningful conversations, creating a more fulfilling life.
- Speak your spouse’s love language. Learning how to selflessly love your partner is a practice that produces a kind of love that serves, sacrifices, and deepens your relationship with each other. When you speak the language that your spouse feels appreciated and valued, you are much more equipped to better understand each other’s needs. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts is a great way to learn about these types of love.
- Choose and lay out your clothes for the next day. I’ve been doing this habit for several years now, and rarely ever miss a day. When I take a few minutes before heading to bed to think about what the next day holds, I lessen the extra stress of a busy morning by laying out my clothes. This small action allows me to progress through my morning routine without feeling burdened by too many decisions that early in the day.
- Set the “do not disturb” setting on your phone the hour before bedtime. When our brains are activated with a device prior to falling asleep, it suppresses the production of melatonin, a natural hormone released in the evening to help you feel tired and ready to sleep. I’ve found that setting the “do not disturb” function an hour before bedtime has removed my temptation to respond to new messages or calls while my body is trying to wind down. To set this, go to setting, focus, then turn on do not disturb.
- Take a hot shower before bed. This may seem like an odd habit to do each night before bed, but research suggests that taking a warm bath or shower before bedtime can help you unwind and fall asleep faster. The heat lowers your core body temperature, which signals your circadian rhythm to begin kicking in. I’ve done this nearly every night for the past 6 months and can testify to a better night’s sleep because of it!
- Have a consistent bedtime. Just like kids thrive on a predictable routine, our adult bodies do too. Having a consistent bedtime (and sticking to it) helps our bodies to get more restful sleep and helps to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm.
- Prioritize sleep instead of doing one more thing. My husband is a night-owl and could stay up until the early hours of the morning being productive. However, he’s learned from experience that neglecting a good sleeping schedule by doing “one more thing” usually isn’t what feels best the next day. Set limits, stick to your set bedtime, and prioritize a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow is another day for work.
- End the night with reading a book, not your phone. As tempting as it might be, looking at your phone before bed does more harm than good. Studies have shown that the blue light that your phone gives off reduces the production of melatonin and stimulates your brain to make you more alert, when you should be winding down. Reading a book is both an enjoyable and relaxing activity that I’ve found to help me transition to shutting my mind off and falling asleep quickly.
- Aim to get to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual. Time can often get away from me when I’m enjoying my evening, causing me to get to bed too late and neglect getting a full night’s sleep. I’ve found that setting my phone to “do not disturb” 30 minutes before I’d like to head to bed allows me to begin my bedtime routine with plenty of time to read and wind down before turning off the lights.
- Resolve bitterness before the day ends. One piece of advice I was taught as a child was not to let the sun go down on any bitterness I may have with someone. My husband and I try to abide by this and resolve any conflict we have with each other before heading to bed. Holding onto anger not only robs you from restful sleep, but also affects your mood as you wake up.
🌿 Introducing, Declutter Your Life, a premium newsletter with monthly challenges to help you live a less cluttered life– inside and out.
