AIBU to ask you if a daily habit has transformed your life?

My workplace moved to somewhere with v limited parking and awkward public transport. I started parking 2.5km away and running the rest, showering at work and then walking back to car after work.
Saved money on petrol, saved stress from commuting and ensured I got daily exercise and plenty of fresh air. Has made a big difference to my lifestyle.

Pelvic floor exercises.
Not pissing your pants truly changed life for the better.

@Ironmanrocks I would describe meditation as a way of being with oneself, quietly focused and just allowing any thoughts that drift into your mind to drift out again. Rather than running after every train of thought. It’s a bit like when you finally close all the programs and tabs that have been running on your computer, making it go slower and slower so it hasn’t got enough capacity for the important stuff. I recommend the Mark Williams book on mindfulness. For me although it didn’t make meditation a daily habit, it did change my mindset on some things permanently.

Stopping eating before noon.

10 minute guided meditation

@Manolin I just wondered why you get up so very early?

I read my Bible devotion before I get out of bed - if I don't do it first, it is easy to push it back until it doesn't happen.

I make a loaf of bread each day - I can unload the dishwasher/feed the dog/ have breakfast while the dough is mixing.

I let the chickens out to roam once the dough is rising.

Then I feel set up for the day

Getting up early, spending time doing my hobby before DD wakes up. Sets my day up brilliantly!

Intermittent fasting - every day at least 16 hours (for example stop eating at 8pm and don't eat again until midday). I've lost weight, I feel so much less sluggish and my skin is so soft. I used to have really prominent keratosis pilaris on my upper arms which is practically gone now. The Obesity Code by Jason Fung comes highly recommended if you want to know about the science behind it.

Manolin You seriously manage on 6 to 6.5 hours sleep a night?

Taking Glucosamine every morning has improved my knee pain.

Also, doing 20 squats whilst waiting for my antiperspirant to dry has massively improved my quad/knee strength so I can now get up off the the floor and out of low chairs without using my arms to push.

Yes! Morning pages - three pages of longhand writing when I wake up every day. I've not missed many days and I really notice the days I haven't done them.

Miracle morning is great - I already had the writing, always read in the morning so I can work late into the night, have recently added affirmations and working on getting the movement in :)

Going to bed early

Dog walking and having the pooches in general really changed my life. There is no excuse not to exercise, to go out, to chat to other dog walkers. Even during the height if lockdown, I could still have a cheery chat about dogs to someone I didn’t know.

I also draw every single day, no exceptions, for an hour or so on average (unless I have a big project on, then it is more) . Three years ago I had never drawn anything. The difference in my skills and confidence is extraordinary

Yoga and running. Did neither before lockdown. Now I'm totally converted.

I am interested by the people who have mentioned prayer or meditation... is this counting your blessings ie 3 good things that have happened - or is it more religious? I feel like I need to change a few things too...

Something I've not done, no makeup! My face is 1000% better for it, plus slather on moisturiser head to toe daily

Not sure if it has changed my life, but I load the washing machine before I go to bed. My current model has a delay on it so I set that so the load is just about to finish or has just finished when I get up so I can hang the clothes up or put them in the dryer straight away. I dont do this if I know I'm going out all day though unless I wash thick jumpers or cardigans that can just hang up.

I like the idea of getting up earlier than everyone else. Only issue is DH thinks that just because I get up he has to as well - there are many times when I need to be up early (think 5 or 6 AM) and he doesn't, but he refuses to stay in bed.

This has got me thinking about a daily habit I should get into for my welbeing (not a housework one)

If it’s “The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod then YES you need to read it. Completely changed my life.

I do a mix of yoga/journaling/gratitude and goals every morning. I was sceptical but the transformation in my life was incredible.

@Manolin I have to say I love the 'let the chickens out' part of your morning routine. 🐓 🐓 Im definitely putting that in my morning routine.

Oh wait... no chickens!

Never mind, I'll get some, just so's I can let them out

My life changing habit, during lockdown has been daily yoga, 45mins but it has jumpstarted my attitude to just about everything and reset my priorities to things you don't need to buy or get, but things to cultivate and nurture in spirit.

Lots of small ones actually. I wipe round the toilet bowl and sink every morning when I brush my teeth. That means you never walk into the bathroom and think "eugh"

Dishwasher on every night before bed and emptied whilst the kettle boils in the morning means the dishwasher is always empty for everyone to put plates in, so it doesn't pile up in the kitchen.

Exercise everyday has become a way of life and a proper stretch before getting up keeps everything supple.

Meal planning saves time and money.

Mop the kitchen floor before going to work.

I'm first home after work. I make cuppa and do 15 minutes of chores while it cools to a drinkable temperature and TBH, if you keep in top of it, my 4 bed house doesn't need much more than that each week.

Getting out of bed one hour before everyone else in the house makes my life 300% easier.

Stepping into the garden to deadhead and smell my roses each day