These 10 Keystone Habits Will Take You From A Hot Mess To A Self-Care Queen

Keystone habits lead to the development of even more good habits. They prove the smallest changes can snowball into bigger ones.

Creating large, long-term goals is intimidating. If you want to change your life, you should break your bigger goals into smaller, more manageable ones. Use them as stepping stones toward a better future.

Here are some keystone habits that will help you lead a more productive, fulfilled life:

1. Wake up early.

Mornings are the prime time for productivity. When you wake up early, you will have time to cook a healthier breakfast instead of eating the first thing you find or skipping a meal completely. You will also have more time to exercise, more time to read, and more time to plan out your schedule for the day.

2. Sleep for eight hours each night.

The more sleep you get each night, the more productive you will be throughout the day. When you are well rested, you will retain information better and make better decisions. You will also have an easier time socializing and see a decline in your stress. That means you will be able to make new friends, network, and maybe even earn a promotion.

3. Think positive.

When you think positive, you will gain confidence. You will be in a better mood. You will try new things and talk to new people because you won’t be worried about the outcome. It could help get you out of your comfort zone. It could help you meet the love of your life or go on the adventure of a lifetime.

4. Eat dinners as a family.

When you eat meals as a family, you will strengthen your bonds. You will become more emotionally available knowing you have someone to lean on. You will also be more likely to eat a home cooked meal than grabbing fast food on the way home.

5. Exercise.

When you put in the effort to exercise, it makes you more health conscious in other areas of your life. People who work out on a daily basis are less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and eat unhealthy. They take better care of their bodies because they do not want their hard work to go to waste.

6. Journal.

When you journal, it gives you a chance to release your pent-up emotions in a healthy way. It also gives you a chance to boost your creativity and enhance your writing skills. Your relationship with your boss, your parents, and your friends will flourish once you become more comfortable letting your opinions out.

7. Track what you eat.

When you keep track of what kind of food you are putting into your body, you are going to stop and think whether eating a certain snack is worth it before you put it in your mouth. By tracking what you eat, you could lose weight. You could cut back on junk food. You could swap to healthier snacks.

8. Make your bed.

If you start your day off with a productive activity — even something as small as making your bed — it will put you in the mindset to do even more productive activities. It will also teach you discipline. It will teach you to stick to a routine. Those skills could help you land a job or earn your degree.

9. Save money.

When you make a point to save money, you will buy less, which means you will have less clutter. You will also end up cutting down on costly bad habits like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and chugging caffeine. When you save for long enough, you will have enough money to afford a car, an apartment, or even therapy sessions. With a little bit of saving, you will be able to create a more stable life for yourself.

10. Meditate.

When you meditate, you will reduce your blood pressure. You will reduce your stress. You will also boost your mood, which means you will get along better with your coworkers and spouse. Such a small change could lead to life-changing results.