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

[CarlyWarly1980]

Just that, really..
Do you have a daily habit that has transformed your life for the better? A friend recommended a book along these lines but am I being unreasonable to think a daily habit can't really transform your life?
My friend has said the new habit of drinking water and putting on mascara every day helps her feel confident and think clearer improved her skin and helps her concentration. So I'm asking others on here AIBU to think one habit done daily can't really "change" your life?

Oh and a good itchy exfoliator sponge to keep the blood flowing.

I think it’s true. I’ve gradually got into better habits by drinking more water, exercising at home, getting my bag ready the night before etc.

I couldn’t pinpoint a life change on any one of those habits but it’s all just gradually made life a bit better.

The main thing for me though is NOT to beat myself up when I miss a day. Habits don’t become ingrained with me for a very long time and it’s easy to get disheartened, but the key was to not expect perfection and then give up.

Taking vitamin D and effervescent vitamin C for over a year now.
Have just recently taken up running again after not doing it for many years. It is usually just a run / walk at the moment but gradually becoming more run than walk. I do it every day whatever the weather. Feel invigorated and positive after it. And am losIng some weight I had put on.

I think I am going to pick three things and try to do them every day next week and report back? Maybe others could do the same?

I’ve thought of something I’ve been doing daily for the past week or so and that’s gratitude practice. Every day I write down ten things I am grateful for. As detailed as possible so not just ‘my family’. I swear it’s made a considerable difference to my mood.

@Lickyicelollies
Same here! Jason Fung is my religion

[quote HaudMaDug]@Smallsteps88
Cold wash with eucalyptus radox in the morning and hot wash to get the mop clean and wind down at night.[/quote]
Thank you!! I reckon that would take some getting used to!

This is a great thread. I'm inspired. I think I'm going to add some of these into my day, especially the getting up and getting on in the mornings.

I'm woken up at 5am by the delivery lorries for the shop I live above anyway. At the moment I lie awake cross or drift in and out of sleep until DD wakes up, by which time I'm really cross. Maybe I should embrace the enforced early start and it might make the start of my day more positive.

I’ve never ever managed to stick to any sort of habit for longer than 6-8 weeks.

Some of these are amazing and I wish I could be more like you all.

Thought I nailed it in lockdown with a daily workout, a daily walk AND 2l of water per day but early July it all went to pot and I’ve probably regained all the weight.

Another vote for 16:8 intermittent fasting. It’s hard for the first couple of days but so worth it.
Guided journaling once day. Helps me switch my brain off at night.
Going to bed with a clean kitchen!

Some great ideas here, has got me thinking that I need to adopt some of them.

I started intermittent fasting (16:8) about 8 weeks ago and have lost 10lbs, so I'll keep going with that. I've just started going for a walk through the forest with a friend one night a week; we've been twice and it's done me the world of good. I also usually paint my nails on a Sunday night ready for the week ahead.

My mental health has been pretty crap recently so I need to do things to lift my mood and stop me being so emotional and stressed all the time. Keeping busy and having stuff to look forward to is a big help!

@CarlyWarly1980 I'm up for picking 3 things to do and starting this week. I'm going for:

1. Drinking at least 6 glasses of water a day.
2. 20 minutes of cleaning/tidying/de-cluttering a day.
3. Getting into a habit of cleanse, tone, moisturise morning and night (I tone and moisturise in the mornings but that's it).

I also want to get into the habit of getting up early again, I'm much more productive if I get up and get on with things, I might save that for one of next week's three things though

Started taking antidepressants a few weeks ago and my horrendous anxiety has gone.

Early dog walk. Always get the best weather of the day and some much needed exercise - if I get the old Covid I don't want fat to work against me.

I've developed new habits and my life has definitely changed for the better.

When I wake up on a workday I do my morning skin care routine immediately now rather than going downstairs to make a cup of tea, my hour before the work commute is definitely calmer.

When I come home from work I shower and do my evening skincare routine as soon as I'm home, no just having a glass of wine and sofa sobbing.

I make my lunch for the following day and put it in the fridge, lunch bag is loaded with cutlery and napkins so I'm good to go without faff in the morning.

I go to bed at exactly the same time every night, even at the weekend I'm within half an hour of my weekday time.

And the big one was starting the intermittent fasting, 16:8. I've lost all the weight I gained in lockdown and my gut is so much happier. If I stray from this then my stomach will tell me and I feel sluggish.

Taking a power walk at least three times a week for an hour plus, I'm fitter and stronger.

Drinking water. As soon as I get up I drink a pint of water. I drink a pint before each meal and a pint before bed. Stops me eating so much, my skin looks much better and I’m sleeping so much better.

@IncorrigibleTitmouse what's guided journalling?

What is the 16:8 fasting that people are taking about?

@Pollypocket89 I have a journal that asks me a different question every day. Examples like ‘what’s the best thing that happened today?’, ‘what was the most interesting thing you learned in the news today?’, ‘who do you admire and why?’ You can get those journals in book shops etc or just get a list of prompts online to use.

@Pollypocket89 Mine is actually a 5 year one, where you can see what you wrote in answer to the same question in previous years. I really love it.

[quote Pollypocket89]@IncorrigibleTitmouse what's guided journalling?[/quote]
You quite literally eat all your daily intake of calories in an 8 hour period and then eat nothing for the other 16. It really does work and I find it more achievable than the 5:2 diet.

Bugger I've quoted the wrong person 🙄I'll try again.

@Smallsteps88

What is the 16:8 fasting that people are taking about?

You quite literally eat all your daily intake of calories in an 8 hour period and then eat nothing for the other 16. It really does work and I find it more achievable than the 5:2 diet.

Thanks @TheMumblesofMumbledom- how do you manage that if working out of the house?

That's really interesting, I've never seen them before, thanks!