Better Habits Now: 50 Easy Ways to Change Your Life Starting Today

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5 min

Eine Frau sitzt am Computer und streckt sich

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By Katharina Klein
June 7, 2022

Why trust us?

It’s easy to dismiss the idea that you can instantly change your life for the better. But the fact is that don’t have to go vegan right away or completely overhaul your routine from one day to the next. Even tiny changes can help you live a healthier lifestyle. Just give our hacks a go and discover which ones fit best into your day-to-day life.

#1 Drink a glass of lukewarm water right after getting up. This rehydrates you after a night’s sleep and assists various bodily processes, including metabolism.

#2 Smile even if you don’t feel like it. Your brain can’t tell a forced smile from a genuine one, so it releases happy hormones regardless.

#3 Every evening, write down what you were grateful for during the day.

#4 Do a good deed every day. This could be as simple as holding the door open for someone or carrying a stroller up the steps to the train — there are opportunities everywhere.

#5 Keep a journal. This modern take on diary-writing acts like a kind of self-coaching process. Writing down your thoughts and feelings every day gives you clarity about your emotions, feelings, values and goals.

#6 Spend more time with people who are good for you.

#7 Get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way home or to work.

#8 Don’t take yourself too seriously and laugh at yourself sometimes.

#9 Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

#10 Drink less coffee.

#11 For all journeys under 1 km, go by bike, not car.

#12 Change the way you do everyday tasks. If you’re right-handed, try brushing your teeth or doing up buttons with your left hand, or vice versa. It’s good for your gray matter and coordination.

#13 Love warm showers? Try a cold shower for a change. You’ll notice how much more energetic and alert you feel afterwards.

#14 Pay someone a compliment. It’ll make them happy and brighten up their day — and it doesn’t cost a dime.

#15 Stay active: Exercise for at least a few minutes every day. Every movement counts and a little exercise is better than none at all.

#16 Smile at passers-by.

#17 Go outside more often. Just a few minutes outdoors can help you wind down and lower your stress levels.

#18 Don’t turn on your cellphone as soon as you wake up. Instead, wake up slowly, breathe deeply, look out of the window, and focus on the day ahead.

#19 Eat breakfast every morning; it’s the most important meal of the day. Check out our inspiration for a healthy breakfast.

#20 Go on a mini-adventure. There’s a whole lot to discover right outside your door! Sleep in a tent for the night or go on a short hike as the sun comes up.

#21 Always wanted to learn a new instrument or take a yoga class? Then sign up for a trial lesson today.

#22 Discover new routes: Try to get to your destination a different way from time to time, and you’ll discover entirely new pockets of your town or city.

#23 Avoid multitasking. Instead, increase your concentration span by focusing on one thing. No more checking your emails or scrolling through the news while watching a TV show!

#24 Stop talking to or thinking about yourself in an unkind way. Banish negative thoughts like “I’m so stupid” or “What can I actually do, anyway?”. Be good to yourself!

#25 Just say “no” if you don’t like something. Far too often, we do things out of politeness, only to get annoyed about them afterwards.

#26 Take your time while eating. Don’t shovel pasta absentmindedly into your mouth as you stare at your computer screen. It’s much better to get up and go and sit in a different room, or in another chair at the very least, so that you can really focus on and enjoy your meal.

#27 Whenever you notice that something is stressing you out, take a few deep breaths for an instant calming effect.

#28 Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth. This improves your balance and coordination.

#29 Don’t forget to blink! Constantly staring at a computer screen or cellphone display can make your eyes tired and dry. Remember to blink regularly to keep your eyes moist and ward off headaches.

#30 Get up from your desk every so often, and try working standing up from time to time.

#31 Get the sleep you need. In other words, turn off the TV earlier in the evening, even if you think you might be able to squeeze in one last episode of your favorite show.

# 32 Have a really good stretch from time to time. This is especially important for your back if you spend long periods sitting at a desk.

#33 Make phone calls while walking around or standing up, instead of slouching on the sofa or sitting at a desk.

#34 Aim to move more while working. Set an hourly alarm to remind you to get up, move about, and, most importantly, air the room.

#35 In the evening, take advantage of your time in front of the TV to do a few stretches.

#36 Schedule regular digital detoxes lasting a few days or a weekend. Your cellphone should stay off during this time. You’ll notice how much time you suddenly have for other — and more important — things.

#37 Remove anything from your bedroom that could keep you from getting a good night’s sleep, such as electronic devices that emit blue light. These can be the cause of poor sleep.

#38 If you get tired during the day, take power naps to recharge your batteries. Make them no more than 15–20 minutes, though — just enough to feel alert again. You don’t want to fall into a deep sleep.

#39 Dynamic sitting. This means that changing your posture as often as possible while sitting at a desk to avoid putting too much strain on one side and to prevent tension and back pain.

#40 Avoid heavily processed foods. Eat freshly prepared meals instead.

#41 Prise yourself away from your cellphone and get stuck in a book instead.

#42 Go barefoot as often as you can. It strengthens your foot muscles, improves your posture and will remind you of the summer days of your childhood.

#43 Make yourself a smoothie more often. Just mix together whichever ingredients you fancy. Always add a dash of oil (like linseed or olive oil), as this helps the body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins from fruit and vegetables.

#44 Eat at least five servings of vegetables a day, ideally around 400 grams.

#45 Drink plenty of water. If you have a tendency to forget, set regular alarms on your phone to remind you to drink a glass of water.

#46 Be mindful of your posture when looking at your cellphone. To avoid putting too much strain on your neck, try to hold your smartphone at eye level. This also prevents the instant double chin that comes with looking down.

#47 Eat more fiber. This is mainly found in vegetables, legumes, and wholegrain products, and is good for your gut and general health.

#48 Meditate regularly. Just a few minutes a day can significantly lower your day-to-day stress levels and make you calmer overall.

#49 Are you keen to make exercise a habit? Make a date with a workout buddy so that you can exercise together. You’ll spur each other on and have twice as much fun as a duo. And you won’t find it so easy to put off your next workout, as you won’t want to let your partner down! Get started right away with our Partner Fitness Challenge!

#50 Stop comparing yourself to others — you’re unique, and that’s a good thing!

More things to know from foodspring:

*Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance.

**Magnesium, vitamin B3, vitamin B12, and vitamin C contribute to normal energy metabolism.

Sources for this article

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