There’s no shortage of suggestions on the Internet of things to add, implement or change about your daily routine to be healthier, happier or more successful. But so often these things take so much extra time or energy or money that it makes it seem impossible to actually incorporate them to the day. So today I want to share with you 3 things that I have added to my daily routine that literally haven’t cost me any time, any money, and have an incredible impact on my peace of mind, making my days go from good to great.
1. I drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, while my coffee’s brewing.
If you’re like me, you take a glass of water with you to bed (or if you are like my wife, you take about 3 different glasses of water). And if you’re like me, or my wife, you barely sip on it throughout the night. So what I started doing is drinking that glass of water as I wait for my coffee to brew. It doesn’t add a single second to my morning routine because I’m waiting for the coffee to brew anyway, and I’m able to finish a full glass of water to start my day hydrated.
2. I changed my mindset from REactive to PROactive
This one has really changed me as a husband, father, and clinician, and it has been a topic that I prayed for God to change me. I grew up in very reactive situations. Thinking that the entire world was out to get me and that I was constantly being tested on everything. I was reacting to the things around me and worried about so much when in reality it was so little. There is a wonderful quote by Charles Spurgeon that states “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength”. Being reactive is looking at the world from a lens of what is happening TO me. Being PROactive is looking at the world from a lens of how can I deal with what is happening to me? And if I can’t do anything about it, know that God is working.
3. I’ve switched from reading online before bed, to reading real books.
Over the course of the past several years, lots has gone digital in our world, which is very convenient much of the time. But at night, when I’m trying to wind down, relax, de-stress, get ready for bed, I’ve noticed a huge difference when I read an actual book instead of something on my phone or laptop (yes that includes the kindle). I imagine it has something to do with the blue light that’s emitted from the screens, but regardless of the reasoning, I find that my brain settles down way faster when I’m actually reading words on a page rather than words on a screen. One of the books that I like to meditate on before I go to bed is the book of Proverbs. Many of the verses in that book are very calming and almost sedative and it helps put my mind at ease as I ease off to sleep.
Healthy changes don’t have to mean implementing timely routines…sometimes it’s just a matter of taking a different perspective or shifting an existing activity a bit to leverage your day even better. There are many different things that I do to live a happier, healthier life and it starts with effective habits. If you didn’t know, I actually have a free 14 day habit reset challenge where you can learn to implement the habits that you like and leave out the ones you don’t! You can take the challenge for yourself by clicking here.
In health and happiness,
Dr. Cam