BUILDING the kind of healthy habits practised by celebrities can feel unrealistic for most of us, be it waking up at 5am to run a half marathon or having the afternoon free to leisurely take a meditation class.
The trick to achieving balanced lifestyle is to build micro-habits – small, sustainable routines that don’t eat up too much time, but make life feel that little bit more under control. These take just a minutes each:
1. Five-minute journalling:
Journalling is notable for its effect on stress, as well as its ability to help us to reframe our thoughts positively. You don’t have to write pages of prose to reap the gains. Simply taking a moment to jot down a handful of thoughts can help you to check-in with your mood, and work towards personal milestones and goals.
2. Cold water therapy:
Taking a cold shower might not be pleasurable in the moment, but according to wellness guru Wim Hof, aka The Iceman, braving the icy water can give us more energy, better sleep and improved focus. Turning down the temperature dial in your morning shower can also help you to recover after an intense workout session, as it’s believed to help reduce muscle pain, soreness and swelling.
3. Declutter one thing:
Spring makes us yearn for clean and calm spaces to relax in, but streamlining your home doesn’t have to be a mammoth mission. Simply take five-minutes to sort through one thing each day, whether that’s a junk drawer, a food cupboard or a pile of unwanted clothing.
4. Make your bed:
Nothing feels more demotivating than coming home to an unmade bed. Taking a moment to tidy your bedroom starts the day off right and sets you up to accomplish the rest of the tasks on your to-do list.
5. Drink a glass of water each morning:
Drinking water in the morning isn’t just about starting your day off well-hydrated – studies have found that it can help to aid digestion, keep your skin clear and boost your concentration levels. Although it might be tempting to head straight for the coffee pot, taking the first five minutes of your morning to sip on a glass of water can give your body a head start on keeping your fluids balanced throughout the day.
