Whether you fulfilled all your previous resolutions doesn’t matter as most people cannot complete all of them, many of which taking months or years to turn into solid habits.
But since New Year equals New Beginning, let’s start again with achievable goals by breaking them down into small tasks called Micro Habits. As Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Place water bottles in different spots in your house/office
Put them in different places where you spend a lot of time, for eample, on your bedside table, the office desk, or the living room. Better yet, also put one in your bag to ensure you stay hydrated.
Turn off the light once you enter the bedroom
Only turn on the lamp to make the ambience feel like a nighttime. It is an indirect way to tell your brain it’s time to switch off. Most importantly, turn off your smartphone. The blue light from digital screens disrupts the body’s release of Melatonin, a hormone that signals the body to sleep.
Chewing 20 times before swallowing
This technique helps raise your consciousness/ mindfulness and strengthens your digestive system. The result will come much clearer and faster if you put your phone away.
Exercise your breath in 4-7-8
Relax and sit still. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and breathe out for 8 seconds. Repeat it 4-5 times at least. You can instantly feel the stress goes down. If done regularly, it will improve your sleep which in turns boosts your cognition.
Place a pen and journal next to your bed
Writing is an effective way to connect with yourself. Daily journaling – whether to express your frustration or make a to-do list – helps arrange your thoughts and ideas in order. Oftentimes, it helps you find an answer to unresolved issues. If you have no idea what to write, start from penning down three things you are thankful for. What can better brighten our morning than realizing everyday how lucky we are?
Walking instead of taking an escalator
If going to the gym isn’t your thing, take the stairs a few floors up whenever possible. Anything that keeps your body active and moving is good for your heart and brain.
Say “I’m sorry” more often
it’s hard to say out loud. We often use other words to apologize, except the word ‘sorry’. It could be ego, shyness, or fear of facing our mistake, but ‘I’m sorry’ can ease the tension and show the other person that we care about his/her feelings. A sincere apology, when done right, also teaches you to be honest with yourself and others.
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