3 News habits to add to your routine

I've always looked for ways to improve myself. I love to read self-help books and I’m an avid follower of Super Soul Sundays. So today, I wanted to share the three things I’ve come to love, and that is very much a part of my everyday life. I can say it has improved my life and state of mind.

The 3 habits are:

1. Keeping a Gratitude Journal

2. Practicing Meditation

3. Exercising Daily

1. Gratitude journal

I'm quite certain you've all heard of the habit of having a gratitude journal. As a mom, I have so much going on in my life. I spend a lot of my time with my girls, ages 6 and 9. I'm so busy that I lose sight of what really matters, my daily wins, and a basic appreciation for what truly matters.

I looked for apps that would allow me to quickly capture the moments of my life that meant something to me. Goodness is there a lot of apps out there! I finally found my favorite and the app is called The Five Minute Journal. You can download the app or buy the actual journal for those of you who prefer to write. I use the digital copy. So every morning, I open up this app.

Note: I do not read anything else or do anything on my phone. I refuse to let the noise of the world via my phone set my day. So I open the journal app followed by my meditation app and that is it!, then it is off!

I am 5 AM girl.  I wake up at this time every morning to have the house to myself.  It’s quiet and I can hear myself think. Can you relate to that?! I love this time for the peace and serenity it brings.   The kids and my hubby are still asleep.  During this time, I pull out my iPhone, open up my Five Minute Journal, and start to capture the 3 things I am grateful for. 

So what are the benefits of doing this you might ask? For one, it allows you to stop and think of what is happening in your life that you can celebrate and acknowledge.  We go through our lives most times like robots without really giving credit to the good things that happen to us. The act of writing 3 things you are grateful for is a great way to bring a deeper joy and appreciation for life.

2. Meditation

There has been a growing rave over the practice of meditation and there is a good reason for that. I added meditation as part of my morning routine following my gratitude journal. I discovered this amazing app called Headspace that does a phenomenal job explaining what meditation is all about. I highly recommend it. You can click here to sign up.

Since using this app, I’m more aware of the many thoughts that cross my mind each day. More importantly of the negative self-talk, we often miss that causes so much sadness and self loath. It's amazing how busy our minds can get, constantly running in a million different directions. The experts say we have about 60,000 thoughts a day!!! Whoa! With all that, it’s important we learn to pause and pay attention to the thoughts that pass us by.

Meditation allows you to do that. What I think is so brilliant about Headspace, is how the founder visually explains how the mind works. I’ve found that being aware of my thoughts allows me to be mindful of what I put my focus on. No more do I sit and playback negative stories about myself, my family, or my business. Instead, I focus on what brings me joy and satisfaction.

If you've not tried meditation, I encourage you to do so. Give it a try for 2 weeks and see if it makes any difference in your life. I hope it does. This is a daily practice. That means you won't get it right the first time. Allow yourself time and permission to learn. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

I look forward to my meditations now. I do them in the morning and also while I wait to pick up my daughters from school. The practice of meditation has helped me be grounded in who I am and who I want to be as an individual.

As a working mom, you're pulled in many directions. Intentionally taking a minute or two to stop what you are doing to focus on the present moment will do you a world of good. I hope you would give this too a try.

3. Daily Exercise

Ah, Yes, that!. Exercise, you and I know we need to exercise. As mom entrepreneurs working from home, it’s so easy to sit on our computer hours on end without getting up. We get so engrossed in working our business that we lose track of time. Before we know it, it's time to pick up the kids, make dinner, and poofs there goes our day! I have done it and with that added some pounds!

I finally made the decision that if I'm going to work my business from home, I'd have to make a conscious effort to take care of my body and how I look. Exercise is important, it changes how we feel and carry ourselves.

Now, after dropping my girls at school, I pick up my iPad, head to the basement, get on the treadmill, and walk for 2 miles while watching a Netflix show. I also use apps to changes things up to create variety and push my heart rate up! With the weather getting better, I also take my dog for her walk which also gives me a reason to be outside and enjoy nature.

You don't need to have a rigorous workout regiment. A simple walk, yoga, or 15 mins free dancing to your favorite tunes will make you feel like a million bucks. Don’t neglect to add this to your daily life.

Commit at least 30 minutes a day of exercise to move your body. It will make you feel alive. Hey! working moms, we have to take care of ourselves BIG TIME.

I truly hope you found these three habits encouraging and helpful. Starting with anyone or all three of these will improve your mental and physical well being. Take care of yourself and everything else will fall into place for you.

I would love to hear of other skills or habits you have been able to incorporate into your life that has help you! Leave a comment and if you found this helpful, please do share.