First off, congratulations on surviving 2020. (No pun intended)

With the new year upon us (WHOO HOO. 2021!), it’s time to pause and reflect. Look over the past year. Decide if we’re pleased with our productivity, weight, mental health, hygiene, and so on.

While you ponder these things, let me give you 5 healthy habits you can start right now. Like, right now. No gym membership required. I know. Crazy. Let’s get started.

1. Tidy One Thing

Scrub the toilet. Put away shoes. Clear the dishwasher. Pick one. Just one. If you’re like me and your one task turns into the whole room, then… *shruuug!* you’re welcome!

Tidying even one part of your home will do wonders for your mental health. Not only is it incredibly satisfying to see a once-messy kitchen counter be wiped clean, removing clutter clears your mind and brings peace and tranquility into your home.

2. Take Charge Of Your Phone

That slippery germ brick should not run your life. Imagine this: You flip on your phone. Your thumb taps twice, maybe three times. What application did you open?

How many hours are you going to spend, mindlessly scrolling through said-application, until you realize with a jolt, why did I grab my phone? … Now, twenty years have passed, and I have a beard, and a kid.

You can do something drastic: delete your applications for two weeks. You won’t know what to do with yourself. It will be fun! Or, trick your brain. Don’t keep social media on your home page. Move your applications around. This will save your soul from being sucked into the Angry Twitterverse and prevent you from falling into the accidental-but-endless Instagram Scroll when your only intention was to jot down buy toilet paper.

3. Lie Around With Your Pet

There’s a reason why Fluffy can pass on the Ativan; no stress. So take a page from her handbook. Find your cat/dog/chinchilla/mongoose and lie on top of beside them. Lint rollers were made for a reason, so don’t be precious about your pants. Take a nap. Snuggle. Watch the ceiling fan spin. Have a staring contest. Take a break. Live like a goldfish for an hour.

4. Stretch

When’s the last time you gave your muscles a nice stretch? Breathe in. Breathe out. Roll your neck. Arch your back. Stretch your toes. If you’re making a guttural noise like ehmmmghghghghgh! you’re doing it right. This will help relieve tension, prevent sore muscles, and stimulate blood flow.

5. Make A Cup Of Tea (or Coffee)

Award yourself five minutes of quiet. Prep the water. Rip/scoop/pod your brew. Select the perfect mug. And wait. Look out the window. Wander around your house. Spin circles and fall on your butt when the floor tilts. Pour your drink. Enjoy the peace.

” . . . He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul . . .” Psalms 23:2-3

You’ll notice that peace and mental clarity were the vein running through this post. Why? Because now, more than ever, when the world is stressed, sick, and losing their minds over politics, is when we need to stop. Reflect. Count our blessings. And find joy in the little things.

What healthy habits do you want to incorporate in 2021?