Our habits hold powerful sway over our lives, whether we realize it or not, and even the smallest changes can lead to big results. Our behaviors are mutable, and in establishing happy and healthful rituals, we can bring about lasting impact on our physical wellbeing, workplace productivity, and our family relationships. This special edition from REAL SIMPLE special delves into how habits work, how we respond to reward and includes tips and tricks for how to successfully: Incorporate small changes that yield lasting results, craft the perfect get-it-all done to-do list, and finally kick that bad habit for good!
finding good habits
The Power of Habits • OUR EVERYDAY BEHAVIORS HOLD MIGHTY SWAY OVER EVERY ASPECT OFOUR LIVES. YET THOSE BEHAVIORS ARE AS MUTABLE AS THEY ARE MAGICAL.
You, Renewed • SMALL CHANGES. LOWER ANXIETY. EXERCISE. SAVE MONEY. HAPPY RITUALS. KICK BAD HABITS.
Small Changes, Big Results • FROM A MORNING PLANK TO A GARDEN MEDITATION, LITTLE MOVES CAN BRING PEACE, HAPPINESS, AND A BETTER GRASP ON REMEMBERING WHERE YOU PUT THOSE DARN SUNGLASSES!
But How Do You Really Feel? • STAYING ATTUNED TO YOUR EMOTIONS CAN HELP BOOST RESILIENCE, LOWER ANXIETY, AND POINT YOU TOWARD ACTIVITIES THAT BRING JOY. MAKE A SELF CHECK-IN A KEY PART OF EACH DAY.
Make Sweat Second Nature • MOTIVATION COMES AND GOES—WHICH IS WHY ESTABLISHING A REGULAR WORKOUT ROUTINE IS KEY. HERE, EIGHT WAYS TO PUT EXERCISE ON AUTOPILOT.
Little Fixes That Could Save You Thousands • INSTEAD OF CUTTING BACK ON THE THINGS YOU LOVE, PLUG MONEY LEAKS BY NIPPING SOME OF THESE SPENDING HABITS.
The Happiest of Rituals • YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT HABITS LIKE EXERCISE AND MEDITATION MAKE YOU HEALTHY—BUT DID YOU KNOW THEY CAN ALSO SPARK JOY? ONE PSYCHOLOGIST EXPLAINS THE FEEL-GOOD SCIENCE BEHIND OUR BEHAVIORS.
Yes, You Can Kick That Bad Habit • AND DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT WHITE-KNUCKLING IT. HERE, SCIENCE-BACKED STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU ABANDON YOUR VICES.
Work, Reinvented • TO-DO LISTS. DINNER TONIGHT, LUNCH TOMORROW. WALK. MULTITASKING.
To Do: Make a List • THE ACT OF WRANGLING AND RANKING THE DAY’S TASKS IS A PRACTICE THAT CAN HELP YOU GET MORE DONE—AND FEEL CALMER IN THE PROCESS.
Get in the Habit of Making a Little Extra • DOUBLE-DUTY RECIPES THAT GET DINNER ON THE TABLE—AND BUST YOU OUT OF YOUR SAD-DESK-LUNCH RUT.
Just Take a Walk • THE SECRET TO UNLEASHING YOUR CREATIVITY AND SUPERCHARGING YOUR PRODUCTIVITY AT WORK MAY BE AS SIMPLE AS LACING UP YOUR SNEAKERS.
A Lazy Person’s Guide to Multitasking • CONFESSION: I’M NOT VERY ORGANIZED. BUT I’VE FOUND A COUNTERINTUITIVE WAY TO GET IT (MOSTLY) ALL DONE.
Family, Refocused • HER HABITS, HIS HABITS. FAMILY MEETINGS. CLEANING UP. A MOTHER’S MODE OF LOVE.
She Does, He Does • MORE THAN JUST ANNOYANCES—THAT WET TOWEL ON THE BED!—HABITS CAN BE A NEW FRONT IN THE GENDER WAR.
Pencil In These 4 Family Meetings • GETTING BUY-IN ON BOTH SERIOUS STUFF (YOUR PARENTS’ HEALTH CARE) AND FUN STUFF (YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS) CAN MAKE LIFE SO MUCH EASIER.
Family Traditions from Around the World • BRING YOUR BROOD CLOSER TOGETHER BY INTEGRATING SOME OF THESE NEW CUSTOMS.
How to Finally—Seriously, We Mean It, for Real This Time—Get Your Kids to Clean Up • YOU’VE TRIED BRIBES AND CHARTS AND SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS. BUT DON’T THROW IN THE TOWEL (OR, AHEM, HANG IT UP FOR HIM) JUST YET. HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE TRAINING STICK.
Noted: My Mother’s Tradition • HOW A DAILY LUNCH-BAG MESSAGE CONNECTED THREE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN.
What Good Habit Do You Wish You’d Started Earlier?
Real Simple
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