Daily Habits to Foster in 2025

It’s that time of year when many of us reflect on the past 12 months and consider setting personal goals for the year ahead. Unfortunately, we can get so carried away with the ‘New Year, New You’ mindset that we start January with a list as long as our arm of things we are ‘going to do,’ only to fall off the wagon and lose interest before we even reach the middle of the month.

Instead of trying to do everything at once, why not try to implement just one simple habit that doesn’t require a great deal of time or effort but will make a huge accumulative difference to your mindset and productivity over time.

So, what low-effort habits are people incorporating into their lives that have a big impact? In a recent Reddit thread on this topic people shared what they’ve implemented into their daily routine that’s improved their lives.

Stretching

Stretching. Feels so good on my bŏôoöɗýyyy

Just try’n set aside at least 10 minutes for it to start, if you can find the time. Your body will start to thank you so soon after that you won’t even need motivation to keep it up. You’ll be looking forward to the next time you get to do your stretching routine! I just memorized a quick 10-minute routine from MovementByDavid on YouTube, and it’s been so easy to stick to since! (Keddie1822)

This is going to sound weird, but stretching. Take 10 minutes to loosen up those hammies and shoulders. Make you feel like a new person. If you also take showers in the morning I recommend cranking it to cold as f%$* for the last minute; it shocks the body more than any cup of coffee will do and you’ll notice an considerable difference in your mood all morning (Physical_Market973)

I’d highly recommend yoga with Adriene on YouTube! She has literally hundreds of videos for all levels of fitness/flexibility. (Surrealism)

For me, my routine starts with waking up and avoiding any media, including the radio, right away. I spend 10-15 minutes doing yoga, stretching, or going for a short run, followed by 10 minutes of meditation. Only then do I allow myself to check my phone or any other media. (makaaii)

Write Down Goals

I’m blown away by the difference it made for me to write my goals down on a physical piece of paper and put it somewhere I have seen it frequently. It’s advice I had always heard but I never did it because it sounded so stupid. Of course I know what my goals are, why would it help me to write them down? But life gets really busy, and as the weeks and months pass by, we let our goals slip; that is, unless we write them down. At the start of this year, for the first time, I wrote down my goals for the year — get back into music, get in the habit of exercising, and start a business. We’re near the end of the year and, very much to my surprise, I’ve accomplished each of my goals. I know myself and I really don’t think I would have made as much progress as I have if I hadn’t written my goals down on a piece of paper and kept that paper. I know it sounds stupid, but if you want to make serious progress over a long period of time (six to twelve months), write your goals down on a piece of paper. It will surprise you what a difference it makes. (Ulysses_mcgill)

Don’t think it, ink it 😉 my mom taught me! (ryerye22)

Daily Walk

Starting my day with a 30-60 minute walk. No screens / no caffeine, just straight out the door.

Kicks your body into gear like nothing else ever could. (InevitablyStoked)

Best thing ever. I started doing this 1 month ago and it is the best start of the day there is. I do always the same 30 minute walk. No screen, no phone, only a small binocular for checking on the birds. And I decide on my walk how I will spend the first 2 hours of my morning…. (Chipper1685)

Also equally good to clear your head middle of the day. I usually get a 20-30 min walk in at either 10am or 2pm as well. Heaps of science behind the positive benefits it has on the brain. (InevitablyStoked)

I recently started walking when I get home from work instead of plopping down on the couch. It’s definitely helped my mental health, and has given me that extra push to get some chores done when I come inside because my heart rate is still up and I’m energized. (AnnaBallecter1031)

Prioritise Sleep

The moment I feel that window of sleepiness, i stop what I’m doing and I head straight to bed. works wonders for my body clock. (KaiNotebook)

Actually it’s no big deal but i started to have a more regular sleep and it improved A LOT my everyday Life. I feel more focus and more effective. My energy has significantly increased which help me when i have to study something, work, or do some sport. (Carolynxpall)

Not sleeping with any technology in the bedroom. (boxofrayne1)

Mindful Use of Devices

I make sure to put my phone away at least 30 minutes before bed and honestly, it improved my sleep. Without that screen time, I fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more rested.

I also try to have screen free periods during the day, like when I’m eating. It gives me a chance to actually enjoy my meal and have a moment to just be in the moment. These breaks help me clear my mind, stay present, and not feel like I’m always glued to a device. (spooky_aglow)

Daily Journaling

For me it’s Journaling every night before I go to sleep. Even if it’s just writing about the things I did today, reflecting on my past or writing about my feelings. Just having a space where you can express your thoughts and emotions in a truthful way made a big impact on my mental well-being. It’s also a great way for me to process my emotions, understand myself, and reflect on who I am as a person. (Usual_Original_961)

One small habit that’s made a huge difference for me is starting each day with just five minutes of reflection or journaling. It helps me set my intentions for the day and clears my mind of any clutter. I find that it boosts my productivity and overall mindset, making it easier to tackle my tasks. It’s amazing how such a small commitment can lead to a more focused and positive day! What about you? What small habit has worked wonders for you? (Ok-Sample-2436)

Daily Meditation Practice

Daily meditation, hands down. But not in the way most people think about it.

I started small – just 10 minutes every morning before checking my phone. No fancy techniques or apps, just sitting quietly and watching my breath. What happened next honestly surprised me.

Over time (we’re talking months and years, not days), I noticed something fascinating: most of my daily anxieties and concerns just… dissolved. Not because I was actively solving them, but because I started seeing them differently. Problems that used to keep me up at night began revealing themselves as largely irrelevant to what actually matters in my life. Not only they, they stopped appearing altogether.

The real game-changer wasn’t the meditation itself – it was how it naturally led me toward living more ethically. I became more aware of how my actions affected others. I started responding to situations rather than reacting to them. Not worrying about praise or blame, gain or loss, I just connect with compassion and joy. This helps that I rarely have to second guess myself.

The best way I can describe the end result is a beautiful sense of spaciousness in my life. It’s like my mind went from being a cluttered studio apartment to a minimalist loft. There’s room to breathe, to think, to just be. And paradoxically, this mental space has made me more productive than all the productivity hacks I used to obsess over.

Fair warning though – this isn’t a quick fix. It took me about 6 months of consistent practice to notice significant changes FIRST. But it’s probably the lowest-effort (like… the whole path ends up efforting less and less), highest-return habit I’ve ever developed.

It just 10 minutes a day. That’s it. (PraxisGuide)

Probably 1 minute meditation when I wake up before I do anything. Idk why it works for me. I still scroll into oblivion, eat like trash and stay up late but I’ve noticed I get way more done. (O_Sluggard)

Positive affirmations playlist / meditation about the positives in my life

Mentally, we put ourselves down so often throughout the day that it becomes unnoticeable. Taking a few mins in the morning to highlight and remind myself of the positives has improved my attitude. Improved attitude has made me more productive and a “go-getter” (Bubbly-Category8596)

Exercise

Working out consistently for 4 years single handedly changed my mind chemistry. (pm-meformore)

Waking up at 5a everyday to workout in my basement. Only days I have to work are required. It gets the day started on a positive note and keeps me accountable in the evenings with early bedtimes and less snacking/booze. (mcm265)

Practice Gratitude

When I feel bad or sad about something, I remind myself of every good thing I have and thank God for it. Oh and practicing gratitude each night, even when Im feeling down, has really helped me overcome depression. (puramani)

Being thankful even in the smallest things. It will made you realize how blessed you are even in smallest ways. (sleepy-unicornn)

Not even joking when I say find 30 seconds about 3 times a day to tell yourself why you’re grateful for your life/job. It’s super easy to get hung up on what’s wrong in life or what could be better; but ever since I’ve taken about 30 seconds a day in the morning, afternoon, and night to just think why I’m thankful for my job or life has totally shifted my perspective. It’s lead me to naturally find more positives about my day to day life and generally be more optimistic about everything I encounter. (YES_Staffing)

Being grateful for what i have instead of upset about what i dont have. If my car has a flat instead of thinking “This sucks now I have to get a new tire!” I look at it like “Im glad it wasn’t something worse like engine problems and I’m glad I have a running vehicle,and a job to get a new tire” just an example. It really makes a huge difference for me. (MastaFloda)

Put Problems into Perspective and Let Go

“Will it matter in 365 days?” mentality. This got me through my master’s program. Save me a ton of energy. (Scary-Conference-999)

Learning the power of mentally letting go. I grew up anxious and depressed so I constantly stopped myself from taking action and doing things. Years ago after much mindhacking, I learned that I didn’t always need to be behind the proverbial wheel so to speak. When I allowed myself to get into action without force, guilt, or anxiety, I found myself being more productive than ever. This lead me down a path to where I could truly be free and independent and after years as a manager becoming an owner of my own business and working freelance. (tanksforthegold)

Assume best case scenarios. Ie. If someone cuts you off while driving, say “I hope everything’s okay and they aren’t rushing to the ER or something.” You aren’t going to talk to that person so why let it get you upset when there is always the possibility that they may be having an emergency. This keeps my heart protected. (DOin-the-dang-thang)

What daily habit has changed your life for the better?