A habit is something that you do on a regular basis without thinking. The word “habit” comes from an old French word for “to have.” Habits are formed when we repeat the same action over and over again until it becomes automatic.

Often, you only hear about bad habits. How to break a bad habit. How to overcome bad habits. But not all habits are bad. In fact, some are great!

Good habits can help set you up for success, make your life easier, or increase your productivity. And if you want to start implementing good habits into your life – then here are a few to start with.

1. Gratitude for What You Have: If you focus on what you’re grateful for instead of focusing on what’s not working, it can really change your perspective! Consider keeping a journal where you write down at least three good things each day. This will help remind you how lucky you are and make any downsides seem much less significant in comparison.
2. Reduced Social Media Usage: Social media websites like Facebook or Instagram aren’t bad – but some people find themselves spending too much time scrolling through other peoples’ posts, looking at pictures, reading news feeds, etc.
   • If you use social media to stay in touch with friends, then it may not be an issue – but if it’s replacing other things that would be beneficial for your life (such as reading or spending time with friends), then cutting back on its usage would be a good thing.
3. Taking Breaks: When you’re working hard, sometimes your mind needs a break from what you’re doing. Studies have shown that those who take breaks – whether short or long – have increased productivity and creativity. Schedule breaks for yourself!
4. Meditation: A lot of people think that meditation takes years of practice, but you can actually start today. You don’t need any fancy equipment or clothing; just find somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed by noises or other distractions, close your eyes and focus on breathing deeply through your nose. This should help clear out some mental clutter and leave space for clarity.
5. A Healthy Diet: This might seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because of how important food is to your health.
   • You’ve heard the phrase “you are what you eat,” and this couldn’t be more true! Eating a high-quality diet full of vegetables, fruits, grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats will make sure that your body has everything it needs to function properly.
6. Regular Exercise: A lot of people say that they don’t have time to exercise. But the truth is, you make time for things that are important to you – and making time for exercise is definitely a  good habit to establish! Aim to workout three times per week (preferably more!), with each session lasting about 30 minutes or so.
7. Helping Others: If you want to live a fulfilling life, then it’s important that you help out anyone who needs your support. Volunteering is a great way to give back!
8. Keep Your Home Clean: Keeping your home clean doesn’t take much work but goes a long way towards keeping stress levels low. If this isn’t something you enjoy doing on a regular basis, consider hiring professionals instead of relying exclusively on yourself for upkeep. The difference will be worth it.
9. Positive Thinking: Negative thoughts are a normal part of daily life, but you can’t let them take over.
   • If you’re feeling stressed or negative, then make an effort to replace those feelings with positive ones instead – practice telling yourself things like “I’m calm” or “Everything will be okay.” The more that these phrases become ingrained in your brain, the better they work for taking care of your mental health!

Not all habits are bad – and not all habits should get a bad rap! Start incorporating these good habits into your life and see what positive changes come your way!