We’ve all been both at one time or another: the girl who doesn’t skip a Sunday meal prep, remembers to take her vitamins, wipes her makeup off every night and somehow finds time to workout daily while killing it at the office; and the girl who is just plain tired, can’t be bothered to do laundry until there’s only one pair of underwear left, has let receipts and paperwork piles take over and has not an ounce of motivation to spare for cooking or exercise after work.
Welp. Which gal are you channeling lately? If the later is sounding all too familiar, don’t fret, we’ve all been there. When you’re feeling in a funk, overwhelmed or just lacking motivation it’s easy to forget that the smallest of habit shifts can make a dramatic difference. Call it the snowball effect – incorporating minor changes you may barely notice, but that create a chain reaction of healthy habits, ultimately upleveling your lifestyle for the better.
Whether you’re desperate for a mind and body overhaul or simply seeking ways to live healthier without depleting precious time and energy resources, remember to take it one baby step at a time. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite simple shifts to help get your shit together in no time:
Stop hitting snooze
Cursing and ignoring the alarm is no way to start the day. Hitting snooze will likely send you back to the beginning of the sleep cycle which will only make you even groggier when you do eventually get up. Get your feet on the ground and open up your curtains to let in the natural light – it will help wake up your brain!
Make your bed
Research shows that people who make their beds in the morning are happier and more productive. We don’t need crisp sheets and hospital corners here, just do your best 30-second bedmaking or bust.
Image: Unsplash from Matthew Henry
Commit to a few minutes of daily meditation
Meditation apps are making regular mindfulness practice easier than ever. Swap your morning scroll for a 5-10 minute meditation, and you’ll find you feel more grounded throughout the day.
Move your body
Can’t get yourself to sign up for spin? Let yourself off the hook, but find other ways to get moving. Stretch it out at your desk, walk the dog an extra block or just put on some tunes and dance it out.
Make healthier food swaps
If you’re not ready to make meal prep a regular thing, at least source fresh snacks to keep on hand and select healthier options while picking up food on the go. Comfort food feels like the anecdote when you’re stressed, but raising your vibration with nourishing meals will satisfy your mind and bod infinitely more.
Image: Alexander Mils via Unsplash
Set a timer and clean for 5 minutes
Clear desk clutter one day, tidy up a bathroom drawer the next. Aside from the act of cleaning itself being therapeutic, having a clutter-free home will encourage a better mood. Five minutes a day is all it takes, but this is one occasion where you don’t need to hold back from hitting snooze if you’re in the mood to keep on working through another five minute round.
Practice gratitude
Before bed, on lunch break, wherever you can fit it in. Take a minute or two to write down at least three things you’re grateful for each day. It’s an easy habit that can spark a transformational shift, and a pretty gratitude journal should make it that much easier to stick to!