“It takes 21 days to form a new habit!”
I’m sure you’ve heard this line from a friend or a quote circling around the internet at some point. However, it’s actually scientifically incorrect. Research shows that it takes close to 66 days forĀ a new behaviour to become automatic.
So, as September comes to a close, let’sĀ work towards adopting healthier habits in the last 3 months of 2017! Here are some tipsĀ for improving yourself – mind, body and soul. Keep it up for three months and who knows, these may become healthy habits you’ll carry into 2018.Ā 
- Follow the 50/10 rule. Focus solely on a task for 50 minutes and take a 10 minutes break to refresh your mind.
- Drink some water during that 10 minute break!
- Read a book once a month.
- Read the news once a week.
- Stop procrastinating. Start on huge assignments/ difficult projects by breaking them down into smaller tasks immediately. Tackle it one task at a time.
- Set realistic goals and tick off all the boxes in your daily to-do list.
- Start your day with a positive mindset.
- Practice gratitude. Think about one thing you’reĀ thankful about before you go to sleep each night.
- Tech a time-out.
Stay off social media for at least one period of the day – morning, afternoon, evening or night. - Be kind to others and do something nice for them without expecting anything in return.
- Nourish your relationships – make the effort to initiate and organise meetups with your friends from time to time.
- Have dinner with your family at least once a week.
- Recycle more!
- Exercise for at least 2.5h per week. (This is the minimum requirement for adults, based on WHO’s standards).
- Don’t coop yourself in an air-conditioned room all the time! Open the windows in the morning/ late afternoons and soak in some Vitamin D and fresh ventilation.
- Get more sleep. Aim to sleep at least 7h per day – you can’t be productive if you’re falling asleep at the table right?
- Snack on fruits instead of chips!
- Pick upĀ a new skill every few months. It can be mastering a new piano song, learning calligraphy, picking up a sport, anything!
- Limit yourself to one sweet drink per week. Ok, maybe two. Max.
- Let loose once in a while! Destress productively by releasing the pent-up frustration through vigorous exercise or a karaoke session with your friends.
Most importantly, stay consistent.Ā PracticeĀ the tips you feel are most beneficial to you andĀ continue doing them. We’ll be doing this challenge with you all!
