Who says a person can't entertain during the cold winter months? Old dogs can't learn new tricks? This is completely false. Such overly cautious behavior is often disguised as wisdom. Older men and women are never too old to learn. Although aging may slow learning, continuing to learn new things can keep the mind sharp and greatly increase the quality of life.
In a digitally changing world especially, building good healthy habits is essential for productivity. When you're stuck in the "doing," it's harder to figure out which habits decrease or increase one's productivity. These strategies are simple enough to include in your busy routine.
1. Use the 15-Minute Rule.
Tasks that seem particularly overwhelming or daunting are easier to tackle in manageable portions. Try working in 15-minute increments, and you can become more efficient and avoid unnecessary stress.
2. Use natural oils like lavender to boost your moods.
Sometimes life throws curve balls, and we can hastily move from being focused one minute to being super stressed and busy at the next. Try spending a few moments whiffing natural oils like lavender or sprinkling them on sheets and in the bathwater to induce a more soothing and calmer state of mind.
3. Surround yourself by nature.
Reconnecting and convening with nature rekindles youth, vitality and ultimately, one's strength, which can often give perspective to life's fast pace. Although it may be hard to find time in the day to constantly retreat to a park or nature trail, start by creating your own terrarium as a way to build that earthly connection. Did you know that plants can also improve concentration, memory and productivity?
4. Make time for a daily writing ritual.
Ever since my daughter was born in 2013, I get up every morning before my children wake up to write. I use The Artist's Way method by Julia Cameron and write down my thoughts on 3 lined pages before tackling the rest of my day. This makes me feel more recharged and energized to tackle business and creative projects.
5. Surround yourself with positive and uplifting people.
Whether you're a semi stay-at-home mom or holding down a full time office job, there'll always be times when things get rough. Studies have shown that when you surround yourself with positive upbeat people, you can actually change the way you see your life.
6. Drink lots of matcha tea.
With its abundance of nutrients and antioxidants, there are health benefits of drinking matcha tea. As the old saying goes, "a healthy mind is a healthy body" or "a sound mind is a healthy body." The importance of taking our health into account on a more frequent basis couldn't be more relevant, especially since baby boomers are now living longer.
So there you have it -- six ways to building good lifelong habits that will impact the way you start and finish your day. Developing good habits can help you wake up excited and energetic every morning, ready for a new day of exciting and pleasant possibilities. Good habits can help us greet each day with excitement and enthusiasm along with a guiding purpose in life.