5 new habits I added to my daily routine that have quickly led to improvements I can actually see and feel in my body. These new habits will make you look and feel fabulous.

1. Exercising for Short Periods:

I started doing a couple of short periods during the day about 3 times a week on top of my regular exercise classes. I have found them to be easy to incorporate them into my daily routine so far this year as they don’t take much time.

• Just 4 quick exercises (45 seconds exercise, 15 seconds rest)
• Jump rope
• Jump squats
• Jumping jacks
• Jump switch lunges (I find these really hard)
• 5 perfect pushups. (Increasing to 10 in February, fingers crossed)

Repeat this 3x which is approximately 15 mins. Somedays I reduce it to just 2x which is about 10 mins, depending on how much time I have.

You could also split the 3x up through the day if that helps you incorporate them into your day.

I may switch the 4 exercises in February to keep things interesting.

2. Skin Routine

I wanted a simple, but effective skin routine for morning and evening that would help reduce aging and dryness. This is what I ended up with:

Morning:

• Cleanser – LaRoche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
• Serum – LaRoche-Posay HYALU B5
• Face cream – Il Makiage Plumping Cream
• Eye cream – ROC Retinal Correction Eye Cream
• Sunscreen – La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen

Evening:

• Cleanser – LaRoche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
• Toner – Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
• Serum – La Roche-Posay HYALU B5
• Face cream – No7 Pure Retinol Night Repair Cream
• Eye cream – ROC Retinal Correction Eye Cream

 

After a shower I use:  LaRoche-Posay Triple Repair Cream

Once a week I use on my face: Dr. Dennis Gross Universal Daily Peel

I think this new routine has made a serious difference in my skin – it’s definitely not dry, which it usually is, especially in January.

3. Drink AG1 Daily

I added this green drink into my routine the last couple of months of 2023 and have continued with it each day. I actually love it and look forward to drinking it daily.

It is rich in chlorophyll, has a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, promotes heart health and reduces inflammation. The abundance of vitamins and minerals boosts the immune system and enhances energy levels that contribute to overall well-being. Additionally, AG1 has been linked to improved cognitive function and mental clarity. I love starting my day with refreshing, healthy drink.

4. Sleep Improvements

• Tea before bed – Seems to be helping me stay asleep longer. The tea that I added is called Cinnamon Horchata Stress and Sleep by Yogi and it has cinnamon and ashwagandha in it.

• Meditation – I listen to a sleep mediation through my Oura ring and it tells me in the morning how quickly I fell asleep. It’s usually about 6 mins.

5. Habit Tracker

To track my new routine, I started using the app ‘Streaks’ which you can customize for any new or continued habit to your routine. It’s very easy to use and if you are a person who likes to get the checkmark when you have done something, this is for you.

Additional Changes to My Routine

 

I also made a few additional adjustments to just look more put together.  Since I work from home, I don’t need to get dressed up and I have gotten lazy with how I look during the day. I made 2 changes that have made me feel better about myself while working from home.

Hair:

I have naturally curly hair which if I have a shower in the morning, I’ll have great curls. But I don’t wash my hair each day, so by the second day it’s just in a bun on top of my head.

This is fine some days, but I feel I have gotten very used to just putting my hair up most days.  I don’t look as presentable for work while on video calls.

So, I got a new hair straightener for Christmas which is awesome and does almost as good a job as the hairdresser. It’s definitely the closest I have ever come to it from home.  I got this hair straightener by BaByliss. This change has made me feel more presentable for work and honestly, just better in pictures when I look back.

Nails:

 I like to get pedicures because they tend to last many weeks for me. Nails though, do not last long because I don’t get gel nails. So my nails are usually naked, and in the winter, become quite brittle and break, so they are usually all a different length. This January, I got one manicure early in the month to clean them all up. Now I just using a very pale pink polish Essie – Ballet Slippers each week on my own. This protects my nails from breaking, and they just look so much nicer.

These few changes I made in the month of January, have made me feel better about myself and overall look and feel healthier. What new habits will you add to your routine? I hope they make you look and feel fabulous as well.

If you found these ideas helpful, see my other post on 15 Ways to Transform Your Life in 2024