5 New Habits To Start This Month For A Refreshing Time

When we think about monthly goals, most people jump straight to productivity and fitness. That’s what I’ve been chasing all year—working on my career and pushing myself in the gym.

But somewhere along the way, I forgot about my own self-care. Even as a wellness blogger, I kept putting it last in my plans.

Day to day, I do try to focus on what makes me happy. Still, when I map out my monthly goals, I often skip this part of my well-being. The result? Burnout, exhaustion, and a mental crash that takes forever to recover from.

So this time, I decided to do something different. Instead of only setting goals around work and workouts, I added a few simple habits to start this month.

I tracked these habits every day and kept myself accountable. And here’s what I learned: the right habits, at the right time, can truly change your life.

A month ago, I was stuck in unhealthy eating patterns, too drained to enjoy exercise, and even losing interest in work I usually love.

But within a week of practicing these habits, I felt lighter, more focused, and more at peace. By the end of the month, I came out stronger, happier, and more balanced.

Related Article: 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective People

1. Drink more water than you think you need

I used to underestimate how much water my body actually needed.
I’d go hours without a sip, and by the end of the day, I felt foggy, sluggish, and way more tired than I should have been.
When I made a conscious choice to drink more water, I noticed a shift almost immediately.
My skin looked healthier, my headaches started to fade, and I even felt less stressed.
Keeping a reusable water bottle with me all day made this habit easier, and I highly recommend it if you tend to forget.

2. Get up 30 minutes earlier

I used to think I wasn’t a morning person, but that changed when I started setting my alarm just 30 minutes earlier than usual.
Those extra minutes in the morning gave me time to breathe before the day took over.
Sometimes I read, sometimes I write in my journal, and sometimes I just enjoy a quiet cup of coffee.
That simple shift made me feel calmer and less rushed.
It’s amazing how starting the day with peace instead of chaos can shape the rest of your hours.

3. Move your body daily, even in small ways

I used to believe workouts had to be long and intense to “count,” but that mindset only made me feel guilty when I couldn’t keep up.
Now, I focus on moving my body in small, consistent ways.
A 10-minute walk.
Stretching before bed.
Dancing in my living room while cooking dinner.
These little bursts of movement add up, and they do more for my energy and mood than any strict workout plan ever did.

4. Practice saying “no” without guilt

This was one of the hardest habits for me to learn, but it has changed my life.
I used to say “yes” to everything—plans, projects, favors—until I felt drained and resentful.
One month, I decided to practice saying “no” when I knew something would overwhelm me.
At first, it felt uncomfortable, but the more I did it, the freer I felt.
Saying “no” isn’t selfish.
It’s how you protect your energy and make space for what really matters.

5. Write down three things you’re grateful for

Gratitude sounded cliché to me at first.
People always talk about it, but I didn’t think it would change much.
I was wrong.
When I started writing down just three things I was grateful for every night, I noticed how much brighter even the toughest days felt.
It could be something as simple as a hot shower, a funny text from a friend, or a good meal.
This small habit shifted my focus away from stress and toward joy.