Between work, family, friends and everything else, life can—and often does—feel super overwhelming. And when you’re overwhelmed, it’s upsettingly easy to feel like you’re failing. But here’s the thing: There are probably lots of little things you’re doing that actually mean you’re really good at life. From prioritizing self-care to eating intuitively, here are six habits that mean you’re, in the words of Kris Jenner, doing amazing, sweetie.
Already Do These 6 Common Habits? That Means You're Actually Really Good at Life
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Published Apr 1, 2021
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1. You Invest in Self-Care
Investing in self-care doesn’t have to mean treating yourself to a spa day every week; it means carving out little parts of your day for you. Investing in self-care is investing in yourself, which in turn improves other aspects of your life. Amidst everyday chaos, it can be super easy to put yourself on the back burner, but doing little things like taking 30 minutes to call an old friend or waking up before your kids do to make coffee and do an easy yoga video will help you feel happier and more grounded. Taking care of yourself also means being at peace with the fact that you’re not perfect. People who are “good at life” (whatever that means to you) aren’t obsessed with being flawless. Let things go, learn from imperfections and adjust your routine accordingly. If you’re not sure where to start, here are 50 totally free ways to practice self-care.
2. You Know How to Say ‘No’
Yes, it’s nice to help others, but folks who struggle to say no often find themselves overbooked and overwhelmed. It’s OK to prioritize your own time and sanity by turning down a request. An important part of self-care is knowing your own boundaries and respecting them. If you’re constantly saying yes to people because you’re too uncomfortable to say no, not only might your work suffer but you could also end up resenting the people asking for your help. Self-preservation is key. According to a paper published in the Journal of Consumer Research, saying no to everything from daily distractions to after-work plans can help you achieve goals faster and grant yourself the space and recovery time you need. Still, it can be uncomfortable to turn someone down—especially if you have people pleaser tendencies. Here are five tips for saying “no,” because it’s normal—and important—to do so sometimes.
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3. You Know When to Put Your Phone Down
Between texts, emails, Instagram and Twitter, our phones are an integral part of our lives. But because of all our devices have to offer, it can be hard to know when to log off and just be. Having a healthy relationship with technology doesn’t mean tossing your smartphone in the trash and living off the grid; it means knowing how to set boundaries. You can do this by resolving not to check your email until you’ve done your morning routine, instituting an Instagram-free day each week or turning off your phone an hour before bedtime.
4. You Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is a huge component of keeping a positive mental attitude and being a happier, more productive person. Even in the darkest of times, there are nuggets of good and reasons to be thankful. Try writing down at least one thing you are grateful for every day (invest in a journal specifically designed to help you do this), or even spending 30 seconds before bed to list something you’re thankful for in your head. It doesn’t have to be monumental. It can be as small as, “I’m grateful for coffee.” The point is to remind yourself that, regardless of the negatives in your life, there are a whole lot of positives too.
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5. You Drink Lots of Water
Staying hydrated is paramount. From improving your metabolism and preventing headaches to clearing brain fog and keeping your regular, H20 can solve a multitude of health woes. While there’s no consensus on how much water people should drink each day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) say each person’s guide should be their own thirst. If you’re feeling parched, drink some water—simple as that. As a very general guideline, the FNB suggests women should drink around 2.7 liters of water daily and men around 3.7 liters.
6. You Eat Intuitively
You might’ve tried a few fad diets back in the day, but you’ve finally settled on a food mindset that’s way healthier—even if you didn’t know there was a name for it. On a very basic level, intuitive eating is the idea that you should eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. Sound simple? It is. Instead of relying on complicated calorie counting or labeling entire food groups as off-limits, intuitive eating is about knowing how your body feels and works in relation to what you’re putting into it. Its goal, instead of weight loss, is for you to stop thinking about food in negative, restrictive terms.
Sounds great, but does it work? The research is promising. One study at Charles Sturt University in Wales found that “intuitive eating is negatively associated with BMI, positively associated with various psychological health indicators, and possibly positively associated with improved dietary intake and/or eating behaviors.”
The bottom line: Intuitive eating is all about listening to your body. And yes, sometimes it’s going to tell you it needs a burger instead of a salad—and that’s OK.
