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Humans are creatures of habit. We all have a set of practices, good and bad, that affect how we spend our days and how we react to what life throws at us. We like our daily routines, and we like them to be… unsurprising. 

Brains work as prediction engines, after all. We’re most comfortable when we know what to expect and when the situation we find ourselves in is familiar. It’s why most of us like to watch the same TV shows over and over again or eat the same meals so often. We want to know what’s coming down the line, and that’s why we consider new situations “out of our comfort zone.” While routines can give us a sense of cozy reassurance, they can also be limiting — especially when they get addictive. That’s where building habits enters the scene.

When it comes to mental well-being, we’re all looking for shortcuts, whether we realize it or not. We all want the secret formula that’ll make us feel relaxed and content without effort. But there’s no magic bullet for happiness. Instead, there are healthy habits that work together over time to improve your life and make it a little less stressful. And gosh, how much we need that!

That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today. Here we are with a comprehensive list of good habits you can start working on right now to increase your mental well-being in the next 12 months. It’s a tough path, we’re conscious of that, but whether it’s taking care of yourself physically or mentally, these healthy lifestyle changes can make you feel fabulous, function better, and be happier in general. This is your sign — we’re on this planet for a limited time, after all, so why not make the most out of it?

#1

Give Your Loved Ones, Pets, And Friends Hugs

Give Your Loved Ones, Pets, And Friends Hugs

Hugging increases dopamine and oxytocin levels, two feel-good hormones.

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    #2

    Get At Least Eight Hours Of Sleep Every Night, And Take Careful Care Of Your Sleeping Habits

    Get At Least Eight Hours Of Sleep Every Night, And Take Careful Care Of Your Sleeping Habits

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    Lousha
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tell that to my cats. One starts to randomly cry like her heart is broken in the middle of the night because she notices she's alone in the living room. The other one jumps on the bed at 5 in the morning with a piece of cabbage or a green bean and she wants to play fetch with it, being as excited as a 5 year old on speed at Christmas morning. Then they start fighting each other, or knocking over random stuff around the house. A full night sleep is a thing of the past.

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    #3

    Establish Limits When Using Social Media And Technology. At Least Two Hours Without Using A Screen Before Bed

    Establish Limits When Using Social Media And Technology. At Least Two Hours Without Using A Screen Before Bed

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    #4

    Identify Your Triggers

    Identify Your Triggers

    A cue always initiates the habit loop. The undesirable habit starts when this trigger occurs. Pay attention to what your poor habit triggers. Knowing what triggers the behavior will enable you to respond effectively. You have two options: either remove yourself from the circumstance or exercise greater awareness in your resolve to break a harmful habit.

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    #5

    Practice Pilates Or Online Yoga

    Practice Pilates Or Online Yoga

    Yoga strengthens your mind-body connection and increases your body awareness over time.

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    #6

    Be Grateful

    Be Grateful

    Start a gratefulness journal and list five things each day for which you are grateful.

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    #7

    Spend Some Time Outside

    Spend Some Time Outside

    Being in nature for at least 120 minutes a week is linked to excellent health and well-being.

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    Minna
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did they really have to use a pic that looks like the start of a horror movie though?

    #8

    Practice Mindfulness

    Practice Mindfulness

    Prefrontal cortex activity has been linked to mindfulness practice. Concentration, planning, and decision-making are all attributed to this area of the brain.

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    #9

    Make Time For Yourself

    Make Time For Yourself

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    OnAFreakingRollercoaster
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Easier said than done, especially when i have 5 other ppls needs to put before my own 😏🤷🏼‍♀️🤯

    #11

    Face Your Fears

    Face Your Fears

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    #13

    Learn To Say No

    Learn To Say No

    You can't accomplish everything at once, so plan your time wisely and find balance.

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    #14

    Limit The Number Of Hours You Work. Working Long Hours On A Regular Basis Can Reduce Your Productivity

    Limit The Number Of Hours You Work. Working Long Hours On A Regular Basis Can Reduce Your Productivity

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    Ele V
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ???????????Entitled as f*ck this one.. Excuse me but what world is that from? Terrible "' advice"'. Is there anyone that actually thinks that ppl who work long hours, do that cause they like it and it's their preffered choice????? Honestly...

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    #17

    Read

    Read

    Make time to read something, whether it is the newspaper, business news, a book of fiction or non-fiction, or anything else. It's crucial to cultivate the habit of reading throughout your life; you shouldn't always rely on audiobooks or movies. Reading aloud—the conventional, non-screen method—works well.

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    #18

    Concentrate On One Thing At A Time

    Concentrate On One Thing At A Time

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    Headless Roach
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Deciding what to do at a time reminds me so much of the Father Ted scene "heads or tails" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNeKeI7AEUM, I can't explain why 🙃

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    #20

    Focus On What You Have

    Focus On What You Have

    We bury ourselves in our difficulties for a very long time. However, difficulties are a symbol of life as well. Being appreciative for what you have will help you divert your attention from your issues. Yes, even for your difficulties.

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    #21

    Start Taking Vitamins And Supplements

    Start Taking Vitamins And Supplements

    Sometimes we might lack vitamins and minerals from our everyday food intake.
    Choose a healthy mix of vitamins and minerals that you can consume daily.

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    Headless Roach
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meh, the priority should be on eating healthy, supplements should only be the last resort!

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    #22

    Take Action Sooner Rather Than Later

    Take Action Sooner Rather Than Later

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    #23

    Get Eight Glasses Or More Of Water Each Day

    Get Eight Glasses Or More Of Water Each Day

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    harpling
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wasn't this one debunked? The eight glasses includes the amount we already get in other foods and drinks we consume throughout the day.

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    #24

    Learn Something New

    Learn Something New

    Pick a subject that interests you, then learn more about it in a fun way. Take a podcast to heart. Peruse a book. Take a course online.

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    #26

    Celebrate Small Victories

    Celebrate Small Victories

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    Birgit M
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I could. When I try that, it always feels like pure sarcasm.

    #27

    Smile

    Smile

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    #28

    Talk To Yourself Kindly

    Talk To Yourself Kindly

    Every morning, tell yourself something encouraging as you look in the mirror.

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    #29

    Don't Stay In Your Comfort Zone

    Don't Stay In Your Comfort Zone

    Take a risk and engage in something new. This can involve taking a risk on your physique or challenging your mind.

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    #30

    Admit Your Mistakes

    Admit Your Mistakes

    Tell your team what went wrong and what you learned from the experience.

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    Headless Roach
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, learn from the mistakes of others - you can't live long enough to make them all yourself

    #31

    Tidy Everything

    Tidy Everything

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    #32

    Create A Morning Routine

    Create A Morning Routine

    Setting the tone for a productive day by consistently doing a ritual in the morning.

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    #33

    Determine The Importance Of Your Tasks

    Determine The Importance Of Your Tasks

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    #34

    Keep Your House And Workspace Organized

    Keep Your House And Workspace Organized

    Make it a practice to regularly clean up your environment. Your behavior and how you operate are significantly influenced by your physical environment.

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    #35

    Make A New Friend

    Make A New Friend

    Speak with a person who is not on your team. Building employee relationships and fostering new relationships at work provide a positive workplace culture.

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    #37

    Use Reminders

    Use Reminders

    Use reminders because self-awareness is crucial for ending the cycle of unhealthy habits. Place reminders for yourself there where your negative habit tends to occur. This will encourage you to think twice before acting.

    For instance, post motivating sticky notes on your refrigerator to serve as a reminder to eat healthily. By providing you with a visual cue, you may be inspired to choose brain-boosting foods over sugary treats.

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    #39

    Organize Your Day The Night Before

    Organize Your Day The Night Before

    Make a list of your goals for the following day, along with your plan for achieving them.

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    #40

    Invest Wisely And Save Consistently

    Invest Wisely And Save Consistently

    Saving money and making investments are two beneficial habits that should be included on every list. Because we are so focused with living in the present, we sometimes forget the importance of saving for the future. However, it goes beyond simple saving. You must carefully and wisely invest the money you save. The more care you take with this today, the more prosperous your life will be down the road.

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    #41

    Be A Part Of Something Greater

    Be A Part Of Something Greater

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    #42

    Get In Touch With Others

    Get In Touch With Others

    Don't hesitate to give friends you haven't spoken to in a long a call. Plan a lunch meeting with your parents

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    #43

    Reward Yourself

    Reward Yourself

    Celebrate when you achieve a significant goal at work. Recognize your accomplishment once you've been successful in forming a new habit.

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    #44

    Use Time Blocking To Maximize Your Day

    Use Time Blocking To Maximize Your Day

    A time management technique called time blocking involves setting aside blocks of time throughout the day. A specific task, or combination of tasks, is completed in each block, and only those particular tasks.

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    #45

    Keep A Record Of Your Time Expense

    Keep A Record Of Your Time Expense

    You'll become more aware of how your time is spent if you stick to a timetable. Utilize the outcomes to increase productivity.

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    #46

    Ask Questions

    Ask Questions

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    #48

    Set Long-Term Goals For Your Career

    Set Long-Term Goals For Your Career

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    #49

    Walk Those 10,000 Steps Every Day

    Walk Those 10,000 Steps Every Day

    To increase your daily step count, park further away from the office or, when possible, use the stairs.

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    #50

    Make A Mantra Or A Statement Of Affirmation For Yourself

    Make A Mantra Or A Statement Of Affirmation For Yourself

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    #51

    Create A Life Plan Or A 5-Year Plan

    Create A Life Plan Or A 5-Year Plan

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    OnAFreakingRollercoaster
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yo I'm doing good to just make it through a day. I would literally die of a panic attack if I had to plan anything

    #52

    Set Your Own Personal Objectives And Decide On A Strategy For Achieving Them

    Set Your Own Personal Objectives And Decide On A Strategy For Achieving Them

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    #53

    Create Emotional Control Skills

    Create Emotional Control Skills

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    #54

    Express Your Appreciation

    Express Your Appreciation

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    #55

    Set Boundaries With Your Colleagues

    Set Boundaries With Your Colleagues

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    #56

    Rise Early

    Rise Early

    The early morning hours are a time for quiet contemplation and great productivity because the world is silent and sleepy, which enables you to fully concentrate on your long-term objectives.

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    #57

    Start Journaling

    Start Journaling

    Your mind will likely feel better after engaging in this self-care activity.

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    #58

    Create Personal Mission Statements

    Create Personal Mission Statements

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    #59

    Reflect On Your Own Actions. Each Day, Think Back On Your Actions And Inactions

    Reflect On Your Own Actions. Each Day, Think Back On Your Actions And Inactions

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    #60

    Create Time-Management Strategies

    Create Time-Management Strategies

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