Habit stacking and 7 other low-effort hacks your future self will thank you for.

As we reach the tail end of the year, it’s normal for our motivation levels to start waning. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Whether you want to boost your productivity at work, ease your stress levels, or simply make life a little bit easier, there are plenty of helpful hacks out there.

From the Pomodoro Technique to habit stacking, here are 7 low-effort hacks your future self will thank you for.

Make your bed as soon as you get up.

Yes, you’ve probably heard it a thousand times before, but the habit of making your bed first thing in the morning really does set up your day for success.

In his book The Power of Habit, author Charles Duhigg stated that the habit of making your bed often has a domino effect that helps you form more positive habits on a daily basis.

“Making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of wellbeing, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget,” Duhigg wrote.

And if that’s not enough to convince you, how good is the feeling of climbing into a well made bed at the end of the night?

Implement habit stacking.

The hardest part about forming new habits is getting them to stick.

In a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, health psychology researcher Phillippa Lally and her research team determined that it takes more than two months – 66 days to be exact, before a new behaviour becomes automatic.

Yep, forming new habits is not easy. But that doesn’t mean we’re doomed to fail.

One helpful hack that can help you form habits and keep them, is habit stacking. 

The practice involves simply 'stacking' the new habit you’re trying to adopt with an existing habit or behaviour in order to help you to remember to do it.

Want to read more before bed? Pop your book on your pillow each morning after you make your bed so it’s ready for you when you climb into bed again at night.

Want to start eating a nutritious breakfast every morning? Set aside some extra time each day to have something healthy to eat, like yoghurt, while you enjoy your usual morning coffee.

Unlike some regular yoghurts, Activia’s Probiotic Yoghurt is perfect for habit stacking as it’s an easy and delicious way to help take care of your gut health. 

It's been proven that optimal health starts in the gut, and Activia’s Probiotic Yoghurt is proven to support gut health, and it contains a natural probiotic, Bifidus ActiRegularis, that reaches the gut alive and stays active to help keep your gut healthy. Activia helps improve digestive comfort when you have 250g each day for over 4 weeks, as part of the healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.

The yoghurt also contains no added sugar, making it a healthy and delicious option for your start to the day.

Start the day with direct sunlight.

Starting the day with morning sunlight exposure is scientifically proven to reduce stress levels and provide a source of vitamin D.

Whether it’s going for a walk around the block or simply enjoying your morning coffee outside, getting morning sunlight has also been found to help maintain a balanced body clock, known as the circadian rhythm, which can help regulate your sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.

Use the Pomodoro Technique to boost productivity.

Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, the Pomodoro Technique is a ridiculously simple time management method that can help you beat procrastination.

The premise is simple. When faced with a task, break it down into timed intervals of 25-minute chunks, separated by five-minute breaks. Then, after four consecutive work intervals, take a longer break for 15-30 minutes.

The method works incredibly well as you feel a sense of urgency to get things accomplished in the allotted time. Plus, you only have to focus for 25 minutes before taking a short break to refill your water bottle, make a coffee, or take a short walk. Genius.

Set app limits on your phone.

You pick up your phone to respond to a text. Then you check your emails. Then you mindlessly open Instagram and start scrolling. Suddenly, the simple act of responding to a text message has led to 20 minutes lost to endless scrolling. 

Sound familiar? 

We’re all guilty of getting lost in our devices from time to time. But when there’s work to be done or deadlines to meet, your phone can often turn into a procrastination tool.

If you find that you’re mindlessly picking up your phone throughout the day, consider implementing app limits.

Simply setting app limits on your phone can help you improve focus and schedule time away from social media.

Spend 10 minutes preparing for tomorrow.

If you’re someone who often feels rushed in the morning, spending 10 minutes in the evening preparing for the next morning can save you a whole lot of stress.

Before winding down for bed, set a 10 minute timer and get organised for tomorrow. This might involve setting aside your activewear if you’re planning to exercise in the morning, picking out an outfit for the day, packing your bag if you’re headed to the office, prepping your lunch for tomorrow, or simply tidying up the kitchen.

When we simplify our morning routine and remove unnecessary obstacles, we’re more likely to have a stress-free start to the day, which ultimately sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Schedule some self care.

There’s often a common misconception that self care means spending an entire day at a spa. But self-care doesn’t have to be overly complicated. 

Instead, try to schedule some simple self-care activities that give you joy into your daily and weekly routine.

Some ideas include reading a book for 15 minutes before work, journaling, taking a long walk, calling a friend, doing a five-minute meditation, or creating a relaxing bedtime routine.

Shop Activia's range of delicious yoghurts, an easy way to take care of your gut health every day. Available at your local supermarket. 

This information is general in nature and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. 

Feature Image: TikTok/@itsjisukim/@theorganizedwallet