Top Daily Habits to Optimize your Life

 

Changing our habits is difficult to do since it requires a lot of discipline and thinking outside the box. We often believe there is nothing wrong with us so why change. However, I always believe there is room for improvement. We do not need to bombard ourselves with changing everything at once, so little baby steps is the way to go. Small daily improvements even if its 1% better every day will produce game changing results over time. 

Here is what many of the mentors I follow recommend in their daily routines:

Get up Early

Oh yes the idea of not sleeping in can send shivers down people's spines. However, the first hour of your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day affecting your mindset and productivity. Early rising can allow you to do the tasks that you are not able to do during your busy work day. It has been well documented that many of the most successful people are early risers. My alarm is set for 5am.

Meditation

When we do get up early and still sleepy, it is the perfect time to meditate since it is closer to the theta state which is similar to the dream state. By focusing on our breathing we can then empty our minds which will give us more clarity. More clarity means less thoughts racing in our heads and better focus on our daily tasks. Meditation has been linked to many health benefits including reduction in stress and lowering of blood pressure.

Exercise

We have all heard over the years that being physically active helps manages our weight, reduces the risk of diseases, and strengthens bones and muscles. But what about brain health? New finds in neuroscience have come across a key molecule called brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF.

This molecule is released when we sweat during exercise. BDNF helps to build brain cells and even repairs old brain cells damaged by stress. This factor has a major effect on memory and brain power, something we can all strive for.

Avoid Distractions

Electronic devices have become an integral part of our lives. However, it becomes a major distraction which can interfere with our motivation since it is so easy to get sucked in. All the social media feeds, emails and irrelevant news shortens our attention span which ultimately distracts us from our major goals. Nobody is saying to ditch the devices completely but more along the lines of reduced use.

Here's a great video by Robin Sharma on digital distraction.

Reading

The benefits of reading are very broad which include: 

• improves brain connectivity
• increases your vocabulary and comprehension
• lowers blood pressure and heart rate
• combats the symptoms of depression
• reduces our stress levels

Don't have time to read? Well a recent study showed that the average CEO reads about 60 books per year. These executives are extremely busy running major corporations and yet they understand the fundamental importance of continuous learning. Focus on educational and motivational literature as a guideline.

Nutrition and Hydration

Now even though I am not a nutritionist it is very easy to understand the many health benefits of better eating and hydration. 

Your body needs to be hydrated to perform at its best. Water itself is preferred, but all liquids have an essential function of providing our bodies with better circulation and valuable nutrients. 

What we eat is just as important. This can be challenging based on our culture and where we live in the world due to the availability of certain foods. However, if we are more aware of our choices then we can do the research in finding what nutrient dense foods are healthier for us. Better nutrition means better living in the long run.

Practice Gratitude

Showing gratitude is an effective tool for mind, body and soul. Whether its a good or bad day, taking the time to be thankful has its overwhelming benefits:

• Avoids negative emotions from building up inside
• Helps us actively relax and eradicate tension
• Creates clarity on what matters most in life instead of dwelling on external factors
• Builds on our creative side especially if we journal about gratitude 

Nature walking

We spend so much time indoors whether it be at work or at home that we forget about a whole different world outside. Just breathing in that fresh air and being close to nature really helps us get back to our roots as human beings. The serenity of nature brings peace. It allows us to quiet our minds and just bathe in the natural beauty that sometimes we take for granted. So go outside and enjoy.

Please remember that the above points are only guidelines to accelerating our routines to build a better life for ourselves. These habits are practiced by some of the world's best mentors and we have to always find what works best for us. Hopefully it will spark some drive in your life as it does for me.

 

Recommended Reading: The Everyday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma