What are small habits?

Small habits can be extremely powerful. They are meant to build consistency and confidence, leading to long-term improvements. What makes small habits unique is that they are not meant to require extreme motivation; hence, they are small and intended to add to your routine in a positive way. Some small habits can include journaling, doing a small workout, or even as minuscule as flossing your teeth. One would think the last example is a generic everyday task, but you’d be surprised at the number of people who aren’t consistent with these types of habits. 

Some examples of small habits that are beneficial includes a ten-minute walk, drinking eight cups of water a day, stretching daily, simple acts of kindness to friends and family, reading a chapter in your book, or making your favourite snack. These are things I believe you can do. Our time can often feel limited, but you’d be surprised at how easily you can implement these things.

Why being consistent matters 

It’s important to be consistent with small habits, as this can build momentum, making it easier for you to complete your tasks with little effort without overwhelming you. Think about it, the more consistent you are, the more in motion you are within your life. Once something becomes a routine for you, it requires less thought and mental effort. So even during challenging times, you’re able to sustain your daily habits and get through them. That’s why it’s essential to adopt positive habits that can be easy for you to maintain. Trust me, it will make a huge difference.

Build a routine 

I highly recommend having a general idea of your day-to-day routine. Building a routine is important for small habits because it can transform your actions into automatic, low-effort habits. This is what really builds consistency. Routines can give you stability, and I, for one, know how critical that is as a university student. You’re juggling your academic and personal life all at once! So when you focus on supporting your life through daily habits, you are elevating your mental well-being. 

Start small 

To guarantee success, I recommend starting small. Create manageable actions to build up confidence and prevent burnout. To build consistency, you won’t want to start off with big tasks; you’re bound to fall short, especially when it's new to your routine. When we start small, this matters as it reduces barriers and makes the habit easier to maintain without having excessive motivation. 

Finally, shift your mindset 

For this all to work, you need to shift your mindset. Its time to stop thinking you don’t have time for something. You can redirect your thinking and elevate your daily life. If something is important to you, it will be something that you choose to prioritize. Small habits are just as important because they turn actions into sustainable, long-term benefits! While it can seem intimidating and even stressful to keep up with your day, know that adopting a growth mindset can improve your life. What's special about small habits is that they can positively impact every aspect of your life, including your health, relationships, productivity, and more. So I hope, after reading this, you're more than ready to start adding small habits into your life.