12 happy habits to start today for 2022

Who else needs a decent kick in the pants every now and again to reset your vision on what matters? How about the one's that contribute to better days?

I'll be among the first to say heck frickin' yes.

I'm not one to conjure up or even keep track of "resolutions" in the new year, but I do love me some good re-introductions to habits and routines I've known once upon a time. Or maybe there was something new you wanted to add to your daily rhythms and it took more time or mental space you couldn't find the wiggle room for.

Enter a simple list of 12 happy habits we can start today, right now even (okay, maybe the sleep one can't be done at this very moment). Some things on the list might be a reminder to get back to the things you dropped in the midst of, I don't know, life changing the course for you.

Here's to allowing ourselves to start again, guilt free and no strings attached.

1. Be intentional with how you spend your time

This one goes first because it will apply to all that follows. When you put something down on your to-do list, or even as a mental note, once you get to it, keep it priority. Focus on that person, event, task, meal, or whatever. You'd be amazed as what happens when you become intentional with what's in front of you.

2. Move your body

Something as simple as stretching for 15 minutes in the morning or right before you to go to bed can go a long way. Is a 3 times / week workout at the gym beneficial? Absolutely - but don't sell yourself short for sticking to something that works for you in real time. However you do it, moving your body throughout the day contributes to higher energy levels, improved health, alertness and focus, and the obvious help in reducing those aches you tend to get in your calves and back (especially if you sit a majority of the day for work or otherwise). You live in the same body your entire life - so treat it well. A couple of my favorite stretch videos are linked here (morning) and here (evening).

3. Get out(side)

You might already know it by now how incredible of a resource the sun is, not for our planet alone, but for us too! It has the potential to prevent diseases, build up our immunity, and offer a lightened load to our mental health. During the winter months it can be difficult, when we don't see much of the sun in a lot of parts of the world (be it clouds or the shorter days, therefore less opportunities to be out in the sunlight); but getting outside is still just as important, with or without the sunlight as a beacon. Get the fresh air, move your body, and take a look a the world around you. It's incredible.

4. Drink the good stuff

No judgement if you drink the stuff that might not be 100% great for you, just be sure to get at least 64 oz of water into your body each day (for those of us who don't measure, aim for 6-8 glasses). I add Organifi Green and/or Red Juice blends to a cup of water before taking a swig of coffee because 1) it makes hydration taste so much better and 2) they hold numerous super foods in liquid form that I don't usually get in the foods I eat that day, giving me what I need to tackle the things ahead.

5. Prioritize your sleeping habits

Is it okay to offer this advice when I'm not putting it into practice 100% of the time? Let's just go with yes. Not everybody is able to sleep the full 9pm - 6am hours, or whatever it is we say is best now. Some of us work at night, some are parents and this is the only time you have before it all begins again, or you just can't fall asleep easily. To prioritize sleep doesn't mean you stick to a strict bed time every single day, instead to figure out a way to introduce rest before you hit the hay. For example, going from tech to bed probably isn't the best solution to getting a good nights rest (as determined by how the following day feels), an alternative would be reading a book, stretching, taking a shower or bath, talking with a loved one.

6. Build boundaries with your phone

We hear a lot about boundaries with people, but what about technology? It's easy to reach for it and say, "I need to look up this one thing", and then forget that "one thing" almost immediately and head for videos or social media to scroll endlessly for a period of time we lose track of (unless, of course that was the one thing). Listen, being on your phone doesn't make you a bad person - what are we supposed to do in a day and age where everything thrives from it (at least almost everything). However, to let it overwhelm your limited time and, in the long run, take over your sense of self-control isn't going to end very well when you show up late constantly and the things that should hold priority are put on the sidelines. Place that phone in a drawer, leave it home if possible, put it on mute, turn off the notifications. The internet isn't going anywhere, and that person on the other end can wait a little longer.

7. Keep time with others sacred

This one doesn't require much of an explanation (at least I'm hopeful). Be present with the people in the room with you, and keep up with those phone boundaries when it makes sense.

8. Read something daily

Oh, you guys, how I wish I was an avid reader. When I have a good book, I'll read it in a few days (hello, late nights and me prioritizing my finishing a book over any sleep what-so-ever).

9. Kick food guilt to the curb

Do I recommend eating a pint of ice cream with a side of ding dongs for every meal? No. Do I believe we should feel bad for eating a pint of ice cream after a rough day? Not at all. We need food to survive (not limited to the physical), and sometimes the stuff that isn't "best" for us is what we need to thrive. Get the cheeseburger, chow down on those cupcakes, and then chase it down with a glass of water. You are beautiful, you are handsome, you are worth it.

10. Select & get consistent with a routine

This doesn't mean you have the entire day planned out and you pursue it the same every single time (how's that for a "simple" re-introduction), rather choose a certain hour or even 30-minute increment of your day and be consistent with how you spend it (and alter it based upon change of circumstances as needed).

11. Make your bed later (aka: let it breathe)

Controversial to the popular act of making a bed shortly after getting up in the morning (I certainly do it from time to time), letting the bed "breathe" is actually better (for you and the life of your mattress). I know, it's not the most aesthetic thing to let your bed be left unmade - how will we carry on with our day? Why does it matter? When you remove the sheets and blankets from your mattress (place them on a clean surface, or hang over the stairs / shower curtain), it removes any lingering moisture from the mattress, killing off any dust mites that get lodged between your sheets and mattress (gross picture, right? So let the dang bed breathe).

12. Tidy up as you go

We've all been there: you go from one thing to another and suddenly you have 5 objects in your arms that all need to go in different parts of the home (or even the car) and they end up landing a spot on the kitchen counter or a popular flat service with high traffic.

Don't even get me started with what happens to the dishes after a few home cooked meals and no clean up.

To reduce the clutter pile-up, start to put the stuff away immediately or clean up a mess as you go (when it comes to messes made by kids, have them help the clean up if they're at an age where they can). If tidying up on the go isn't possible because life can just take us by our feet to drag some days, set aside 10-15 minutes a day for a quick surface clean up of the rooms you stop in the most.