When we think habits, we often think of the bad ones: smoking, binge-watching entire seasons on Netflix, or eating way too many Oreos in one sitting. But forming positive habits in your life can significantly improve your health, happiness, and well-being. These habits will lead to a more satisfying life.

 

Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning

Let’s be honest—everyone enjoys a sink that isn’t full of dishes and a toilet that isn’t caked in grime. But when you put off cleaning for weeks at a time, the resulting mess can be too overwhelming to face.

 

Get into the habit of spending around 10 minutes every day going through basic cleaning routines. Wash your prep dishes for dinner while you’re waiting for your pasta water to boil. Use the 10 minutes you spend on hold with your Internet company to pick up the things that don’t belong in your living room and return them to their rightful place. You’ll be amazed at the difference just 10 minutes can make.

 

Work in regular exercise

Finding the time to exercise is something that all of us struggle with. But studies have proved time and time again that regular exercise makes us happier and healthier. Getting into the habit of working exercise into your regular day not only offers health benefits in the long run but also will relax you and clear your mind.

 

Some simple ideas for adding more exercise to your routine are committing to walking your dog for 15-30 minutes every day, hitting the yoga studio during your lunch break, or biking to your grocery store instead of driving.

 

Identify the things you are grateful for

Practicing gratitude isn’t something that should be reserved for once a year at Thanksgiving. Research shows that those who practice daily gratitude enjoy a multitude of benefits that range from better sleep to a stronger immune system.

 

You can practice daily gratitude in several ways. Commit to thinking of three things you’re grateful for every night before you go to bed or keep a journal of the things you are grateful for day to day.

 

Form short-term and long-term goals

Do you ever feel hopeless, like you’re aimlessly drifting through life with no purpose? Setting goals—both large and small—can keep you productive and supply you with satisfaction every time you achieve something you said you would.

 

Sort your goals into long-term and short-term goals, and write them down somewhere that you can review regularly. You should also be sure that your goals are S.M.A.R.T.: specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-bound.

 

Give yourself compliments

Too often we focus on the negative qualities we have—i.e. Why am I such a procrastinator? I’m a failure for skipping the gym again! I’ll never get that work promotion!

 

But showing ourselves love can have a huge effect on our self-esteem and overall happiness. Whenever you notice that you’re talking yourself down, think of one positive quality for every negative one that comes up. For example, if your negative thought is “I still haven’t hit my goal weight!” think to yourself “But I’ve been really great this week about going regularly to the gym and eating healthy.” Give yourself credit where credit is due.

 

Forming positive daily habits isn’t something that happens overnight. But stick to it and keep practicing, and you’ll find yourself living a more fulfilling life.