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30 Small Habits That Have A Significant Impact On Daily Life, According To Folks In This Online Group
You can’t deny that being disciplined is definitely a huge plus when it comes to getting your life together. Not saying discipline is for everyone—if you got things under control without it, great—but you can’t deny that it does help put some things into perspective and streamline life in ways that are otherwise hella hard.
Well, folks on Reddit have been talking about something that has a lot to do with discipline, and that is habits. In particular, it’s small, minimal-effort habits that go a long way in improving your quality of life and thus make a huge difference in how you approach it.
We’ve scoped out the best, most helpful tips, tricks, hacks, and just habits in general that folks in this thread suggested and created a lovely curated list that you can find, vote and comment on below. And why not share some of your bits of advice for small, yet high-impact habits in the comment section below!
And yes, we are aware that some of these submissions are rather similar, if not identical, yet they provide different takes on the same habits. So, smile and be kind.
More Info: Reddit
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#1
Drink water instead of pretty much anything else.
Except coffee. I'm not a monster.
RELATED:
#2
Getting into the habit of saying please and thank you. I’ve seen endless horror stories about people in retail getting sh*t on by ungrateful and rude customers, so I made a resolve to try and be as amicable and cooperative whenever I can.
And it really made a difference. It really helps smooth things along when both people are working together to get things done as efficiently as possible. It’s a great feeling helping make someone’s day easier. Goes to show a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
Lisa Hewes 2 years ago
This needs to be #1. I've worked retail and food service off-and-on for many years and I got all kinds of people. I will always be grateful to the customers that showed patience and kindness towards me. I do what I can to pay that forward because, unfortunately, these employees are still getting the short end of the stick because certain customers feel its okay to take their negative emotions out on minimum wage workers.
#3
Every time you leave a room take something that doesn't belong there and put it away. As soon as it is a habit you're house will stay tidy.
#4
1) Trying to see the other person's point of view, or at least not reacting explosively negative to it when you disagree. (This helps immeasurably with in-laws.)
2) knowing when to keep your mouth shut. It’s not necessary to always express an opinion or make a remark, especially when there's no hope of changing another's viewpoint.
3) It costs NOTHING to be kind, to affirm other people by recognizing them, to say please & thank you.
Lisa Valen 2 years ago
Yes. Yes. and Yes. 4) Choose your battles and, if necessary, concede defeat even if you're right. It's pointless to continue arguing.
#5
Exercise at least 3-5 times a week. You don't need to train like a an Olympic athlete. Going for a walk or jog is good enough. Do pushups and crunches right after you get up. As long as you get your heart rate up.
Small steps, it'll all add up.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I really need to keep this consistent. The worst thing that has happened to me was a desk job. You're so burnt at the end of the day and you haven't even been active. It's insane.
#6
2 minute rule.
If you see something that needs doing that will take 2 minutes or less; go ahead and do it. Put away those clothes. Pick up that toy as you walk by. Empty that dish washer when you go to get a drink. Scoop the litterbox when you go to take a p**s.
Things will stay neater, you'll be more organized, and you'll find you have more time in the long run for stuff you want to do, instead of having to take care of stuff you've been putting off.
#7
Stop drinking soda. In the long run soda is bad for you and after a while of not drinking you will realize that it tastes to sweet.
Zophra 2 years ago
Can I just have one bad thing? Just one? Just let me have my diet coke in peace.
kim morris 2 years ago
This.
I went from soda, to caffeine free soda, to seltzer, to mostly just plain water. Took about 2 years, but it really feels better. Now drinking a soda is like drinking a glass of sugar water. 5f60172690...c981d2.jpg 
YELLING!!! 2 years ago
Rubbish!! I went to Coke. Com & Pepsi. Com and they say that most adults are severely lacking Caramel Color #7 and we need to drink more.
molly floof 2 years ago
Well, we aren't really LACKING but... You can get Caramel color #7 in other ways than Dr. Pepper and Coca Cola.
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Jessi Zultanky 2 years ago
I never really loved soda but cutting it out was the easiest and most effective start to losing weight and feeling better.
Adam Belaire 2 years ago
I switched to Zevia mostly now. It's pop (or Soda) that is sweetened by Stevia. 0 calories, 0 sugar and the Creamy Root Beer is 0 caffeine. Gives you the taste of pop without the sugar.
Scotira 2 years ago
Blech, I am one of those 20% something who can truely taste sweetener in about anything. Leaves a weird pelty feeling on my tongue, even stevia. So I avoid those altogether. Good for all of you who can use stevia though!
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Jason Bartl 2 years ago
I switched to ginger beer. Better for your gut too. (non-alcoholic of course).
GUSANO GRANDE 2 years ago
Uh no because first of all: how many sodas are you drinking, man? Everything in moderation and you'll be fine
Maggie Dinzler Shaw 2 years ago
My granddaughter told me to stop drinking Diet Coke because it causes cancer. I drink some but will switch back to seltzer.
Shirley Williams 2 years ago
I hate the diet stuff (and aspartame in particular is REALLY bad for you) so after being diagnosed as type 2 diabetic, I tried to limit to one regular coke per day, and started drinking carbonated water (I teach, and the fizzy water feels better in the throat - one reason I rationalized drinking one coke per day). I then bought a Sparkel carbonated water machine (no CO2 canisters!). I stopped drinking colas - just plain or flavored carbonated water. My A1C numbers dropped to almost normal, and I'm saving a lot of calories. If you're drinking diet, try the fizzy water - it's so much better!
Martha Higgins 2 years ago (edited)
I don't smoke, don't drink much alcohol ( maybe 12-18 drinks a year), do eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies, but I a not giving up my caffeine-free Coca-Cola.
Kailey Findley 2 years ago
Okay, I'm going to say no to this one. Yes, soda is bad for you, but so is every other sugary drink. I hate soda, so I've never drank it. However, I do drink other sugary drinks that are just as bad as soda. So, this one should be: don't drink sugary drinks. Just drink water. However, I will say it's hard to give it up. I don't want to either.
Laura Lake 2 years ago
I have cut back on diet soda to one a day or if i am in a resteraunt. But, i drink a glass of water first. I mean,vi toss back that water. I also drink water at my desk out of a glass Coke bottle, because it makes me feel like a rebel ( without a clue, i know)
Cats Are Pretty Cool I Guess 2 years ago (edited)
Me who has IBS so soda makes me have indigestion
HIROX 2 years ago
I can say this is true. Only to me at least dark sodas are just nasty now. Can't tell if it's too sweet or something else. But soda does not taste good. To accomplish this here are a few tips that have worked for me. 1. Don't have soda in the house. 2. At restaurants just ask for water, it's free. And don't buy combos at fast food places. Just order the item you want and if that is not enough you are freed up to try some of the other side items. 3. If you are looking for a caffeine hit. Just do coffee, or BCAA drink mixes. No sugar. Better caffeine hit.
Laura Brown 2 years ago
I stopped drinking soda years ago and found I felt better...I didn't allow my daughters to have it at all because I wanted them to develop healthier habits...though their father allowed them to have soda, even now that they're older, the typically opt for something less sugary.
Biliegh Berrie 2 years ago
I replaced coke with tea. I drank DP out of a 2ltr like a 20oz lol….
Abner_Mality 2 years ago
🎶All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me...🎶
Jane Smith 2 years ago
I switched to Coke Zero, first time I had a regular Coke tasted too sweet.
Falcon on Dizzy 2 years ago
that's why I drink moxie! it's not too sweet ;) (but I get the message here lol)
Jeffrey Mallia 2 years ago
If you don't drink soda, you forget that " To " and " Too " have a different meaning....
#8
Making a habit of being kind. Positivity that has the possibility of infinite growth.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I try to overpower mean people with kindness. If I'm dealing with a tough customer I'll dial up the "thank you" and "I'm glad you brought this to my attention" and "oh no, we must rectify this" and eventually they mellow out. Not a 10-10 strategy but works most of the time.
#9
Replacing items before they run out. E.g.. detergent, toilet paper, shampoo, etc.
BluEyedSeoulite 2 years ago
My 4yo does this without ever being asked. I was shocked and amazed, thought I had bought magic toilet paper!
#11
Healthy eating. If you make it habitual, you look and feel a million times better than when you eat like c**p. You don't even crave c****y food often.
#12
Meal planning.
You save so much more money if you pre-plan what you're going to eat for the week than if you wing it.
#13
Brushing your teeth, your smile look good, you save money and your health, benefits quite a lot from a healthy mouth.
#15
Doing dishes at night so I wake up to a clean sink and clean dishes. I live in a tiny studio and don’t have a dishwasher so this makes a big difference for me.
Lisa Valen 2 years ago
I do the dishes all day long. I'd rather wash a few items several times a day, than wash sinks full all at once. And you'll wake up to a neat kitchen with a clean sink and clean dishes.
#16
Somewhere in Europe you pay a 10-cent deposit on all your beer bottles, my small habit of alcoholism gives me a nice return on bottles when I hand them in for recycling.
Lisa Valen 2 years ago
I hate paying the 10 cent deposit, but don't complain when I'm broke. The bottle/can money comes in handy.
#17
Most things related to hygiene. Brushing teeth, showering daily, washing your clothes regularly. Hygiene is the #1 thing that the opposite sex cares about, and the first thing people notice.
#18
Eating a little less. You don’t even have to eat better, just leave 1/4-1/3 of your food on your plate. Get a smaller bowl of ice cream. Eat one less slice of pizza. Don’t eat all the fries. If everything else stays the same you’ll lose weight, and it’s a start towards being healthier.
Lisa Valen 2 years ago
If you use smaller plates, your portions will be smaller as well. Even if you "clean" your plate you'll have eaten less. It's ok to leave some food on your plate, regardless.
#19
Flossing. There are a lot of people who don't floss, but it's an important habit to get into. Once you start flossing, you'll feel gross when you don't do it.
Piper L 2 years ago
For decades dentists have recommended flossing as an essential part of oral hygiene. But how useful is it really? An investigation by the Associated Press has revealed there is insufficient proof to back up this claim. The US Department for Health and Human Services and Agriculture admitted in a letter that the benefits of flossing had never been properly researched. A British dentist at the University of Birmingham, Prof Damien Walmsley, also said there is only "weak evidence" to suggest flossing is beneficial.
#20
Sleep well.
It isn't even the long run, the next morning you'll become 10x better.
#21
Wearing daily face cream with sunscreen UV protection.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
What do you all do about the eye burning? I sweat a lot and boy does it sting when it gets in my eyes.
#22
Saving money.
I have lost count of how many people who got themselves into serious debt simply because they spend more than what's necessary.
Lisa Valen 2 years ago
Sometimes they get into serious debt trouble because what's necessary is more than they earn.
#23
Positively impact someone's day. And I think that's a small habit, because you don't have to do anything huge.
You could go really simple and just give a random, genuine compliment. "I like that jacket."
You could go slightly more advanced and compliment someone to someone else. "Man, Martha has been killing it lately with her work." There's a chance the compliment gets back to her. But even if not, you're boosting your image to the person you said that to, because of your willingness to compliment others.
You could do a slightly more advanced move like complimenting someone in the form of requesting their expertise. "Sam, you seem to really understand pivot tables in Excel. If you have time, do you mind showing me how they work?"
All 3 of those tactics are *slightly* manipulative, because you have to consciously manufacture those moments with regularity, at least at first. But they breed nothing but benefits. The other person feels better. You feel better. And you're easing that gap that separates people, unless one takes the initiative of lessening it.
Lisa Valen 2 years ago
I have always done this. Random compliments make people happy. I enjoy the responses more, I think, than they do the compliment. Even if I'm having a REALLY bad day, I will say something positive to someone. "Pretty dress.", or "I appreciate you." It makes the day a little less bad too. :)
#24
Regularly going to the gym and eating well. I wasn't skinny because of metabolism. I was skinny because I wasn't eating and exercising enough. I'm up 20 pounds since this time last year.
Scotira 2 years ago
With exercising and eating healthy you "loose" fat cells and gain muscle cells. Those tend to weigh more than fat cells, so you gain weight, but you are slimmer. Sad fact: the fat cells don't just go away, they are only emptied of the stored fat, so when you stop exercising and start up bad eating habits, they fill up again in no time. Voilà: here we have the yo-yo effect.
#25
Mine is less sugar intake. The amount that most people eat is really disruptive to our bodies. Instead of getting that ice cream, get a yogurt or fruit. :)
#26
Wake up at the same time. Every. Single. Day. Even on weekends. You stop waking up tired and start waking up naturally before your alarm.
Yes, I’m well aware this doesn’t work for everyone.
#27
Budget your money.
That is the only solid way I know to get "rich" quick.
#28
The concept of no zero days. On days when I'm feeling lazy and unproductive, I try to do something even if it's as simple reading or cleaning my room for 5 minutes.
#29
Making your bed in the morning. It takes 3 minutes, and it makes your room look neat and presentable, as well as giving you the feeling that you accomplished something for the day. It's easy from there to just let that productive feeling snowball into being productive in other areas in your life.
#30
If something needs to be done, *just do it.* Most people spend more time whining about work, whether household chores or employment related tasks, than if they'd just get in there and do it. Work and productivity is not the earth-shattering concept most people, of all ages, act like it is and no type of honest work is beneath anyone. Bathrooms are dirty at your high school job? Volunteer to do it. Your roommates not cleaning the common areas? Suck it up and do it or it'll just get worse because they won't do it regardless. Short-staffed at your adult job? Stay the extra thirty minutes to cover a task when everyone else acts like its moving mountains to do so.
After a while, you'll find there's a lot of personal satisfaction that can be found in this productivity for very little lost time in the big picture. Maybe you can only watch one episode on Netflix tonight instead of two for getting something done - so what? No, it's not always going to be fair, just like nothing else in life will be either. But, you can confidently say that you are humble enough and willing enough to take ownership and pride in your piece of the world when virtually no one else does the same. And in the end, it will be noticed by the right people. You will have better friends, better relationships, and better treated as an employee because genuine people in all of these categories know just how rare this trait is in a sea of total mediocrity. And there's no special skills required, just an open attitude you can start today with at any age.
What do you think ?
howdylee 2 years ago
There are a lot of "habits" here that only work for neurotypical people. You can't "just do it" if you have certain mental health issues.
Quinley 2 years ago
Thank you!! I have a laundry list of issues including adhd and I'm trying to get better with alot of this stuff and it's so hard to "just do it" I can never "just do it" with anything.
Load More Replies...
Anna Nowak 2 years ago
"Eating healthy" and "excercise every week" are not small habits. They're major elements of persons lifestyle
Populus tremuloides(they/them) 2 years ago
Some of these are ableist as heck. Not everyone can manage constant productivity and healthy habits like tons of exercise.
Anyone-for-tea? 2 years ago
Exactly. A big change in my mindset had to happen when I became chronically ill, as I was so used to just being able to get stuff done. Pacing is so important if you have low energy.
Load More Replies...
Bruce Leibee 2 years ago
Uh, thanks for telling me, an adult, how and what to do with my life, obviously otherwise, I would be drinking and eating c**p, laying in my own filth, thanks.
European sparrow 2 years ago (edited)
Every day I try to do 15 minutes of tiding, which mostly works. I walk around the house putting random stuff away where it belongs, make my bed, wipe my bathroom sink and toiletseat and put food in the fridge that my kids left on the counter, put dishes in the dishwasher and wipe the counter.In just 15 minutes your house looks tidy and well kept. And importantly I can manage being disciplined with it. Sometimes I get in the mood to do some extra chores I wouldn't have done otherwise.
Molly Whuppie 2 years ago
Something that helped me with cleaning habits is to keep cleaning supplies in most rooms, in a cupboard somewhere. Its a lot easier to do a quick clean if the supplies are right there, than when you have to go to a different part of the house to get them and might get sidetracked along the way.
Cathy Hurd 2 years ago
If your angry about something SAY SO. Don't mutter under your breath in another room just loud enough for me to hear it. My husband is the king of this and it makes me extremely anxious. I spend my life in a state of perpetual anxiety, even if it's not about me. I'm always wondering "what did I do (or not do) NOW"
Beth Ann Feng 2 years ago
All of these comments below are true, however, we must not compare ourselves to others. Simply try to see these fellow humanbeings' comments as encouragements to their fellow travelers thru life. Be encouraged to try your best with your own goals and be gentle with yourself on those days that are a struggle. Blessings on us all.
Green Tree 2 years ago
Doing a little something is always better than doing a whole lot of nothing. Applies to everything - chores, exercise, eating nutritiously, putting a little money aside.
Dr. Carlos Dangercat 2 years ago
I wipe the grout in my bathtub dry after I shower. It's still a bit grubby, but it's not getting worse.
megala v 2 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing this useful information!! Going down this road to successfully change your habits and develop a new routine might be tough. The good news is that with gummies, you can make the decision to alter your life. - Nidra Nutrition https://nidranutrition.com
howdylee 2 years ago
There are a lot of "habits" here that only work for neurotypical people. You can't "just do it" if you have certain mental health issues.
Quinley 2 years ago
Thank you!! I have a laundry list of issues including adhd and I'm trying to get better with alot of this stuff and it's so hard to "just do it" I can never "just do it" with anything.
Load More Replies... Anna Nowak 2 years ago
"Eating healthy" and "excercise every week" are not small habits. They're major elements of persons lifestyle
Populus tremuloides(they/them) 2 years ago
Some of these are ableist as heck. Not everyone can manage constant productivity and healthy habits like tons of exercise.
Anyone-for-tea? 2 years ago
Exactly. A big change in my mindset had to happen when I became chronically ill, as I was so used to just being able to get stuff done. Pacing is so important if you have low energy.
Load More Replies... Bruce Leibee 2 years ago
Uh, thanks for telling me, an adult, how and what to do with my life, obviously otherwise, I would be drinking and eating c**p, laying in my own filth, thanks.
European sparrow 2 years ago (edited)
Every day I try to do 15 minutes of tiding, which mostly works. I walk around the house putting random stuff away where it belongs, make my bed, wipe my bathroom sink and toiletseat and put food in the fridge that my kids left on the counter, put dishes in the dishwasher and wipe the counter.In just 15 minutes your house looks tidy and well kept. And importantly I can manage being disciplined with it. Sometimes I get in the mood to do some extra chores I wouldn't have done otherwise.
Molly Whuppie 2 years ago
Something that helped me with cleaning habits is to keep cleaning supplies in most rooms, in a cupboard somewhere. Its a lot easier to do a quick clean if the supplies are right there, than when you have to go to a different part of the house to get them and might get sidetracked along the way.
Cathy Hurd 2 years ago
If your angry about something SAY SO. Don't mutter under your breath in another room just loud enough for me to hear it. My husband is the king of this and it makes me extremely anxious. I spend my life in a state of perpetual anxiety, even if it's not about me. I'm always wondering "what did I do (or not do) NOW"
Beth Ann Feng 2 years ago
All of these comments below are true, however, we must not compare ourselves to others. Simply try to see these fellow humanbeings' comments as encouragements to their fellow travelers thru life. Be encouraged to try your best with your own goals and be gentle with yourself on those days that are a struggle. Blessings on us all.
Green Tree 2 years ago
Doing a little something is always better than doing a whole lot of nothing. Applies to everything - chores, exercise, eating nutritiously, putting a little money aside.
Dr. Carlos Dangercat 2 years ago
I wipe the grout in my bathtub dry after I shower. It's still a bit grubby, but it's not getting worse.
megala v 2 years ago
Thank you so much for sharing this useful information!! Going down this road to successfully change your habits and develop a new routine might be tough. The good news is that with gummies, you can make the decision to alter your life. - Nidra Nutrition https://nidranutrition.com
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