15 Good Habits to Have in Your Life

Inside: Learn about 15 good habits that you can add to your daily routine to have a happier and healthier life.

Good habits can make a massive difference in your life.

It might sound dramatic, but it’s true. 

A habit is something we do on a regular basis – so often that we find it hard to give it up.

By making something a habit, you make it automatic. You take the effort and stress out of the process. And you make your life easier – and often, better – throughout the process.

If you’re looking for good habits to incorporate into your routine, I’ve got you covered.

While good habits can be virtually anything that benefits you, I’m excited to share 15 good habits that can benefit pretty much anyone at any stage in life.

Whether you’ve already got a number of good habits in place and are looking for ways to enhance them, or you’re searching for structure and could benefit from incorporating a few good habits into your day, here are some ideas to get you started.

15 Good Habits to Have in Your Life

Ready to start new habits in your life? Great. Consider adopting some of these 15 good habits. To prevent overwhelm, focus on adding just one at a time.

1. Drink lots of water.

One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is critical for our health and well-being, but many people struggle to drink enough water to truly benefit their bodies.

Make drinking water a habit by starting each morning by drinking a glass of water before coffee, and stay hydrated throughout the day by bringing a water bottle with you wherever you go so water is always easily accessible. 

2. Incorporate movement into your daily routine.

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Exercise is a really good habit to have in your life. Not only does it benefit your physical well-being, it boosts your mental health, too. 

And with so many different ways to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, it’s an easy habit to form – you just have to find the right type of movement.

Recently, I purchased a walking treadmill to help me get more steps in regardless of the weather outside. I use it with a standing desk and it’s encouraged me to exercise more!

Whether you love to walk, kickbox, rock climb, dance, bike, play a team sport, lift weights, practice yoga, or something else, try to get at least 20 minutes of exercise a day. 

3. Stretch.

Stretching goes hand in hand with exercise. Many of us spend far too many hours of the day sitting stationary – which can leave our muscles stiff and tense.

It’s critical to loosen up those muscles and preserve your range of motion and flexibility with some stretching.

While many of us know we should stretch before we exercise, most of us fail to realize that we could benefit from stretching throughout the day.

4. Take the stairs. 

In our quest for more movement, there are a few easy changes we can incorporate into our habits that can make a difference. Taking the stairs is one of them!

When faced with a flight of stairs less than four stories tall, commit to taking the long way and skipping the elevator.

While it might feel like a challenge at first, once you make it a habit, you won’t even think twice about climbing those flights on foot.

5. Cook meals at home.

There are so many options out there for delivery and take-out that it can be tempting to take the easy route and grab something on the go, but cooking for yourself is well worth the effort.

If you’re used to relying on to-go options, cooking at home is easier said than done – but it’s a great habit to build to ensure you’re eating nourishing, well-balanced meals. It’s also a great way to live more frugally and maximize your savings when you add this good habit.

6. Eat fruits and/or veggies with every meal.

The American Heart Association recommends eating 4 to 5 servings of fruits and veggies each day – but many of us fall short of this goal.

Make it a habit to snack on your favorite fruit between meals, incorporate at least 2 different vegetables into each dinner, or find another way to make fruit and veggie consumption a habit – and your health will benefit from it. 

7. Meditate or pray.

Meditation and prayer are great tools to manage mental health and keep stress at bay.

Not sure how to begin? You can find meditation classes, apps, Youtube videos, books, and endless other resources to help you get started.

If you prefer prayer, there are helpful apps and books for that as well.

8. Get enough sleep every night.

Many people fail to realize how much of a critical role sleep plays in our lives.

Getting enough sleep will help you fight off illness, think more clearly, maintain a healthy weight, keep stress manageable, and more – and all you need to do to reap these benefits is get roughly eight hours of peaceful slumber each night.

This is one of my favorite of the 15 good habits to have in your life and it got significantly easier to do as my kids got older.

9. Have a consistent bedtime routine.

To make getting good sleep a habit, implement an evening routine for yourself.

By following the same sequence of events each evening before you go to bed and aiming for the same bedtime every night, you’ll have an easier time falling asleep – and staying asleep. 

10. Wear sunscreen.

Sure, most of us wear sunscreen when we’re going to swim at the beach or the pool, or spend a lot of time in the sun. But every day?

Believe it or not, yes – you should be protecting your skin every day before you head outside. Sun damage accumulates over time, which can physically change the way your skin looks as you age – and it can even lead to skin cancer. 

So invest in a moisturizer or lotion that contains at least 30 SPF and make it a habit to apply each day before you head out. 

11. Read something every day. 

Reading is a good habit to have and a great way to learn new information, keep our brains sharp, challenge our imaginations, and spend spare time.

If you aren’t currently reading a book, head to your local library (or pick up your Kindle and peruse the digital downloads) and find something new to read. If you’re looking for more simple living inspiration, check out this post for my 7 book recommendations.

Read a chapter a day, 100 pages a week, or 20 minutes each morning before you begin your day – there’s no wrong way to make reading a habit.

12. Keep a journal.

Journaling is a great hobby to support your mental health and encourage your creativity. For these reasons, it’s also a good habit to have in your life.

Start your day with a cup of coffee and a little quiet time to journal your thoughts, or wait until the kids are asleep and curl up on the couch to document your day.

If you’re unsure of where to start, check out this post on journaling for beginners.

13. Keep in touch with your friends and family.

Staying in touch with friends and family can be challenging, especially when we’re busy. That’s why it’s a good idea to make staying in touch a habit.

Call a sibling or a friend every time you drive to the grocery store to catch up or send a text to someone each day to check in and see how they’re doing.

By taking little steps to stay connected and be an intentional friend, you’ll strengthen those relationships in a big way.

14. Practice gratitude. 

It’s easy to dwell on the things in life that cause us to feel stressed and overwhelmed. But you can change that and shift your thoughts to the positive by making a habit out of gratitude. 

Instead of thinking about what’s stressing you out the most on your to-do list as you brush your teeth every morning, try to name three things you’re grateful for. Or write them down each day as part of your journaling practice.

Either way, you’ll find that being intentional about gratitude will make you feel lighter, less stressed, and happier as a whole. 

Not sure where to start? Check out these gratitude prompts to help you begin.

15. Put things back where they belong.

Keeping your home organized and neat can be a real challenge for some. One of the biggest culprits to all of the mess and clutter? Not putting things back where they belong.

If you can get into the habit of putting things away when you’re finished with them – not just leaving them on counters, tables, couches, and other surfaces – you’ll probably find it much easier to keep your home neat & tidy. 

Which of these 15 good habits would make the biggest difference for you? Leave a comment and let me know.

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