January is often considered a time for new beginnings and setting resolutions for the year ahead. However, many people find it difficult to maintain their new habits and goals past the first few weeks of the month.
One way to increase the chances of success is to start small and gradually build up to larger changes. Another strategy is to break down larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Additionally, it can be helpful to track progress and celebrate small successes along the way. Remember that change takes time and effort, so be kind and patient with yourself.
- Practice a calming breathing technique to lower stress: inhale through your nose for a count of 5, hold breath for a count of 3, exhale for a count of 8, hold breath for count of 1, repeat at least 3 times.
- Put on a song that makes you feel good and just listen to the full song while doing absolutely nothing else.
- Journal before going to bed. Write down any thoughts running through your mind, any worries, anything that upset you, excites you. Write until the noise quiets down.
- Turn off all notifications on your phone. Try it for one day and see how it goes. Keep as many notifications turned off as possible.
- Write down something you want to learn or try this year. Is there a hobby you've always wanted to try out, a new activity, learn a language, pick up a sport?
- Quick meditation: Set the mood, get as comfortable as possible either sitting or laying down, start to focus on your breath, your inhale, your exhale, let all thoughts pass through your mind without judgment, set a timer for 5-10minutes. Have no expectations, that's all you need to do.
- Try out a new recipe. Research the recipe, write the shopping list and plan a day where you'll want to try it out.
Small habits, when practiced consistently, can have a significant impact on one's life because they compound over time. The small actions that are taken on a daily basis, when multiplied by the number of days in a year, can add up to a substantial amount. The power of small habits lies in the consistency of performing them.