8 Daily Habits To Begin In 2022

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I’m not too big on New Year resolutions, I do like the idea of getting a reset and beginning the new year with a fresh slate, but resolutions seem to create way too much pressure and can ultimately lead to disappointment when they haven’t been successfully achieved. I think most of us, myself included, set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and this “new us” we’re trying to create and forget that it isn’t natural for us to change overnight. I don’t know of anyone who has lost a ton of weight, stopped smoking, or built a business in a single day. Not saying it can’t happen- there are exceptions to every rule- but for the most part I think it’s safe to say the more realistic way to grow and evolve into a better version of ourselves is through daily and consistent healthy habits within our routine. I have put together a list of 8 healthy habits that I am either loving and already doing every day or habits that I will be adopting in 2022. Just so you’re aware, I won’t be implementing every single habit on Jan 1st. Habits, good or bad, naturally form slowly and I want these to become part of my daily lifestyle, something that doesn’t require any thought, so I will be adding them in throughout the year. This eliminates the pressure and any possible disappointment!

1. Go to bed/wake up at the same time every day (yes, even the weekends!)- This is so much easier than we think, our bodies are designed to do this based off our environment! The sunset triggers melatonin in the brain to naturally make us sleepy and the sunrise increases serotonin to give us energy. Our bodies have an internal 24-hour clock that works optimally if we go to bed and wake up at the exact same time every single day. Not only will it make falling asleep and waking up without an alarm (or ten) easier, you’ll also find that you go to the bathroom at the same time each day. Routine is everything and a great place to start if you’re looking to build a healthier lifestyle.
2. Read part of a book each night- There is nothing that helps me fall asleep better than by reading a book. It never fails! Even knowing that, I still opt to scroll through my phone every night before bed which kills melatonin production! It is such a bad habit that needs to go. I am a huge fan of self-help/personal growth books and a firm believer that there is always room for improvement. I love learning something new every day, so what better way than by reading a book each night?
3. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning- This is one I have been working on for a couple of months now and I am really loving the results thus far. I am not, by any means, perfect at it at all because I absolutely despise water, but I have noticed that when I do drink a full glass I feel so much more hydrated and way more alert in the morning. I am also currently breastfeeding, so I do notice a little boost in my supply as well! I am an avid coffee-drinker, like I even drink decaf if I’ve hit my daily limit because I just genuinely love the flavor of it, so I use it as motivation to finish my water and then reward myself with a cup.
4. Move your body- I know, I know, super cliché, but just hear me out. I don’t necessarily mean going to the gym or busting out the workout gear and “working out” every single day. I mean, I might do this a couple times a week, but every day is just not my life. I have kids and a life that doesn’t really support that kind of commitment, but if I just vow to move my body every single day for at least 30 minutes a day I will be so much better off than I am right now. This could mean going for a walk, riding a bike, swimming, etcetera, along with yoga and other more traditional work outs. And who knows, this could eventually lead into more hardcore workouts, but laying the foundation for it is a vital first step.
5. Make to-do lists- If you know me, you know that I’m obsessed with my planner and schedules and lists. I am so scatter-brained and all over the place and there’s just too much happening all the time that I literally cannot function without it. I don’t have the most reliable memory either, so if I don’t write it down the moment I think of it, I will most-likely forget. Even if your brain is much more reliable than mine, I know you’d benefit from list-making too. I think it’s something everyone should get in the habit of doing. Your household, job or business, and life will run so much more smoothly if it’s all laid out in front of you. Plus, it’s been scientifically proven that our brain retains info a lot better by physically writing things down and even more so when you say what you’ve written out loud.
6. Get dressed and ready every day- This is a big one for me because I don’t feel like I can start my day or even be productive without putting myself together first. As a stay-at-home/work-from-home mom this can be so hard to do though. There are some days I go without seeing anyone except my husband and kids so you may think it’s silly, but it’s completely psychological for me. Showering, wearing real clothes that aren’t pajamas, putting on some makeup and doing something with my hair shifts my mind into productivity mode and I accomplish so much more.
7. Make the bed each morning- I have done this for years because I feel that the bed is the centerpiece of the room so if my bed is made it automatically feels as though the room is cleaner and I deeply believe that a cluttered space is a cluttered mind. Which leads me to the next habit I plan to take on.
8. Declutter one thing daily- As a creator, I thrive in a well-organized, clutter-free environment, but I am also frequently gifted products or I’m buying new things to test out, my kids get tons of gifts from birthdays and Christmas so there are a lot of ways things are entering my tiny 1300 sq. ft. house (with no garage/storage btw!), but not a lot of things are leaving and there isn’t really a system in place for that which leads to massive clutter and overwhelm. If I just try to declutter one thing daily that ends up being 365 things by the end of the year!

There you have it, 8 daily healthy habits I will be implementing/continuing throughout 2022! There are definitely more I plan to add and several other great ones I am already doing, so if you liked this post and are interested in another, just let me know and subscribe to this blog for more!