5 microhabits to do every day that will actually change your life. 

Start small, with methodical micro-habits.

If you have a big habit you want to implement in your life – for example, that ol’ chestnut ‘to get healthy’ –  it’s through introducing micro-habits that you’ll make the biggest steps forward.

Mamamia spoke to Associate Professor Amanda Gordon, Director at Armchair Psychology, about the benefits of micro-habits, particularly in today’s stressful and unsettling climate.

The first rule of adopting micro habits? “Always set achievable goals”.

“In order to change your big habits, it works better if you look at your small habits first. If you look at the little components of your big habits, you’ll work out what you need to change.”

Side note… Clinical and Health Psychologist Amanda Gordon helps break down how you can help your children if they’re suffering from anxiety during the age of the coronavirus. Post continues below. 

Gordon says that if your goal is to exercise more, for example, then you should “get into the habit of jumping up first thing in the morning and immediately putting on your gym gear”.

“Whenever we want to change a goal, we do so by breaking it into small, achievable chunks rather than try to do it all at once,” she explains.

For micro-habits, it’s all about frequency.

You often hear the number 21 being quoted as the number of days you need to do something before it becomes a habit. But according to Gordon, “there’s nothing magical about 21”.

Instead, you just need to “do it every day and one day you’ll notice you’re doing it, and it will become less conscious”.

Here are five micro-habits that everyone can adopt.

1. Eat mindfully.

Associate Professor Amanda Gordon says many people have the big goal to “eat healthy”. But by breaking that down to smaller goals and habits, it becomes more achievable.

“When you are eating mindfully, it means you’re thinking of what you’re eating at the time,” the clinical psychologist explains.

“You’re doing it and enjoying that act of eating, and then you get into the habit of eating healthy, which is the bigger goal.”

2. Focus on breathing three times a day.

More people should focus on their breathing for relaxation purposes, Gordon explains.

"Just have a habit of focusing on your breathing three times a day and then you get into the habit of being aware of your breathing and being mindful" she explains.

"And that's going to help you get your meditative state when you need to."

3. Only set one alarm.

We've all be there - setting approximately 56 alarms to ensure we wake up no matter how many times we hit the 'snooze' button.

Gordon agrees that this would be a helpful micro-habit for many people to adopt.

"If you're doing a habit that gives you permission to stay in bed longer, then stopping that habit will help you achieve other habits."

4. Stretch for five minutes a day.

Goals such as being more flexible, increasing your mobility, or spending more time to relax could all be achieved by starting with the smaller goal to stretch for five minutes every day.

5. Spend less time on your phone.

Less time scrolling will lead to more time away from your screen, which psychologists agree are beneficial for mental health, especially if you are spending unnecessary amounts of time on your phone.

By being mindful of how much time you spend on your screen, you can substitute that time for other micro-habits, like reading that little bit extra each day.

Everyone's goals and lifestyles will be different, of course. But whatever your habits are, micro-habits are the easiest way to introduce bigger life changes.

Sign up for the "Mamamia Daily" newsletter. Get across the stories women are talking about today.