”We are what we repeatedly do. Success is not an action but a habit.” – Aristotle
Our lives often revolve around habits. The morning coffee, the conference call, and even the social media addiction help to define our day.
In the midst of these busy routines, it is crucial we also take time to develop some positive habits, that will keep our bodies and minds in tip-top condition.
Plucked from the lifestyles of the world’s most successful business people, here are 6 well-being habits you should adopt.
Habit of Movement
Use it or lose it! When it comes to exercise, we need to keep active to help our immune systems stay in warrior-shape. All forms of exercise are beneficial,with running, yoga, and cycling good ways to get the detoxification systems flowing!
To develop a successful fitness routine, start simple. Dedicating 15 minutes a day to a gentle walk is easy to do and will quickly become part of your routine.
Habit of Happiness
How often do you focus on your own happiness? Like anything else in life, pactice makes perfect. Surprisingly, happiness can be cultivated – try smiling and feeling sad – you will soon find you can’t! Other tips for a happy life are to surround yourself with positive people, and spend a little time thinking about the simple pleasures that we usually ignore. Done regularly, it will soon boost your enjoyment of life in general.
Habit of Nutrition
That feeling when you have splurged on fast-food – not great is it? Rather than suffering from sluggish energy levels, choose to eat a plant-based diet instead. It is proven to protect against obesity and diabetes, while also making energy levels surge.
Try to avoid caffeine (a stimulant) and alcohol (a depressant). Both will play havoc with your emotional state and encourage an imbalance of energy.
Habit of Rest
Perhaps the most important habit of all. If we do not get sufficient sleep, our bodies cannot recover from the day’s pressures, and will suffer from higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Rest and renewal can also be achieved by other methods. Try spending a few hours at a time in the countryside, or arranging regular massage sessions and spa breaks with friends and family.
Habit of Love
The habit of love starts with looking after ourselves – keep a gratitude journal which details all your positive traits and the activities you enjoy taking part in. Another important aspect of self love is to realise you will make mistakes (we are all human!) and to be able to forgive yourself for doing so.
Once your level of self worth increases, and you become more adept at letting things go, it becomes much easier to feel compassion for the problems of other people and the animal kingdom.
Habit of Mindfulness
Having the ability to focus on the ‘now’ helps to develop a clarity of mind that can benefit us greatly, and leads to a more contented and prosperous lifestyle. In short, by being mindful of the moment, it is easier to eliminate and reduce worries from our lives,
Simple tips to begin a mindfulness journey include spending a few minutes each day focusing on deep breathing, while your body and mind learns to relax. Mental awareness can also be improved by concentrating on aspects of the environment that would usually bypass us – a falling leaf or singing bird are amazing subjects if we let them!
About the author
Dominica Roszko is a nutrition and well-being specialist, and the founder of vegerasta.com – a site dedicated to healthy living.
