Do you have a bad habit or two, or more? Let GenuLines help you as we take a closer look at them.
See if any of these are holding you back.
What Exactly Is a Bad Habit?
For the most part, a bad habit is something that you do again and again,. Something you can stop doing when you decide to, and that society has deemed to be bad.
Often it breaks laws, customs, or some societal moral code. Most of us think that bad habits are something you should avoid.
This is because they can often affect your health and wellness. There are different categories of bad habits.
Let’s look at the most common ones.
* Time-Wasting Habits
These include not putting things where they go. Or not creating a home for everything you own.
And not keeping your stuff organized. Wasting time can end up affecting your downtime because you still have to make time for work.
* Unhealthy Habits
As an example there’s eating unhealthy snacks every night. Watching lots of TV instead of doing physical things.
And avoiding regular doctor visits.
* Lost Productivity Habits
Lack of a morning routine and some sort of schedule hurts your productivity. These types of bad habits are for the most part a lack of good habits.
* Habits That Harm Your Financial Health
Habits like gambling can ruin your financial health today. Overspending is often started by a bad habit of not minding your finances.
* Habits That Impede Your Social Life
For some people, bad habits can hurt their social life. Being late and slighting others are two examples.
* Habits That Harm Others
Some people develop habits that harm themselves as well as others. For example, a smoking habit can hurt you and those around you (especially kids).
* Habits That Ruin Relationships
Some people allow their habits to even ruin their relationships. Being sloppy, unclean, and not thinking of others can ruin many relationships.
Especially if you’re late a lot or gossip too much.
* Gross Habits
Smoking and nail-biting come to mind when it comes to gross habits. So does nose picking, picking your toes with your fingers, and other rude behavior.
It’s best not do them in public (and some not even in private). If you do have these habits, you can stop them with a plan.
Bad habits are those that are not good for you or anyone else around you – whether human, animal or the environment.
Aging should be a graceful experience. And it can.
There are some steps in that direction that can help you. And GenuLines offers a list of those for your consideration.
5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Aging Process
Everyone grows older. But that doesn’t mean you can’t age in a positive way.
Start by focusing on your physical, mental, and emotional health.
1. Grip Strength
The following comes from a study in Clinical Interventions in Aging. It found a connection between grip strength and health and happiness markers.
Improving your grip strength can also improve your:
· Upper Limb Function
· Overall Strength
· Fine Motor Skill
· Cognitive Ability
· Emotional State
Good grip strength allows you to age well and remain active and independent. To strengthen your grip strength, try this exercise:
· Squeeze a squish or tennis ball with your whole hand 5 to 10 times
· Repeat using only your thumb and index finger.
· Repeat using your thumb and each other finger.
2. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or underweight has negative effects. There’s the risk of chronic diseases, health conditions, and potential falls and fractures.
Doctors determine weight based on your Body Mass Index (BMI). Your BMI is a calculation of your body fat based on your height and weight.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says BMI determines your weight. The levels of weight status are:
BMI Weight Status
Below 18.5 – Underweight
18.5—24.9 – Normal
25.0—29.9 – Overweight
30.0 and Above – Obese
Researchers have determined that a BMI of 25 or more is a risk for chronic disease and poor health. To maintain a healthy weight, the CDC recommends that your diet contains:
· Fruits
· Vegetables
· Whole Grains
· Lean Protein Sources
· Low Fat
· Low Sodium
· Little Added Sugars
Lean protein sources include fish, poultry, eggs, legumes, and soy products. Low-fat foods should be low in saturated and trans fat and cholesterol.
Talk with your doctor about how many calories you need every day. Then plan your diet within that allowance.
3. Stay Active
Your activity level helps you maintain good muscle mass, strength, and bone density. A Journal of Physical Therapy Science study looked at adults age 52 and older.
It found they tend to have a decreased activity level, leading to poorer health outcomes. The CDC recommends older adults engage in:
· 150 Minutes a Week of Moderate Intensity Aerobic Activity
· 2 Days of Strength Training a Week
· Activity as Tolerated
If you have health problems, talk with your doctor about what activities are safe for you. Be as active as possible and increase your activity level as you grow stronger.
Staying active helps you age well by improving your:
· Posture
· Stamina
· Strength
· Independence
4. Exercise Your Brain
According to a study in Scientific Reports, cognitive training improves brain function. The more you use your brain, the better your health and quality of life.
The journals Nature and PLoS Medical looked at good cognitive function. Their study found it may reduce the risk for dementia.
Try exercising your brain with these activities:
· Jigsaw Puzzles
· Sudoku
· Learn a New Language
· Art Classes or Crafts
· Nature Walks
5. Socialize
As you age, the opportunities for social contact may decrease. This is from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Their report found that one in four adults age 65 and older are socially isolated. It showed that social isolation increases the risk for:
· Heart Disease
· Stroke
· Depression
· Anxiety
· Suicide
· Dementia
· Premature Death
You can improve your aging process by staying socially connected and active. You may find social connections through:
· Joining a Book Club or Other Hobby Group
· Volunteering
· Writing Letters to Family and Friends
· Email or Social Media
Improving your aging process helps you be more independent. It increases your cognitive ability, and builds social connections, too.
There are many simple ways to improve your aging process and quality of life.
You need to make a change in your life. You know you do, but it just seems so damn hard to do.
Let GenuLines put some fuel into your intention to follow through toward that much-needed change
Be Relentless in Your Pursuit of Change
For many people, change is a difficult thing. There’s so much to it that can make you uncomfortable.
So you might start to give up on it, even if the end goal is a positive one.
You don’t want to spend that time being uncomfortable. You’d rather live with the mediocrity and stay where they’re used to being.
This kind of mindset is not one built for success.
Even if it’s hard for you to process, you still need to be relentless when going through change. Go into it knowing that it won’t be easy, but it’s something that you have to do.
Without change, you’re not going to make the switch from a mediocre life to a successful one. If you don’t do enough to stick with the changes you’re making, you’re going to spin your wheels.
You might stay stuck in the same place for years to come.
Tough Love
Sometimes, this mindset requires you to be strict with yourself and others. If you want to see that change, you can’t let those who don’t want you to succeed hold you back.
There will always be life obstacles you need to overcome.
Input from toxic family members who don’t agree with your life choices.
Or your current employer would try to steer you away from quitting. Especially if you’re a vital part of the company.
By being firm with your dedication to change, you’ll be able to remove these roadblocks.
You can’t let people talk you out of what you want to do. Only you know what’s best.
You need to limit contact with those who try to steer you away from your goals. Remind yourself that no matter what anyone else tells you, the goals you want to achieve are possible.
Don’t let someone talk you out of your pursuit of success and change. If you do you’re not ready to become successful.
You have to be adamant about fulfilling your dreams and not let anyone or anything limit you.
Your behavior can carry you a long way, or it can hold you back. And you may be the one keeping it on the negative side.
Here’s a list of points that GenuLines wants you to consider during your behavior review.
7 Ways to Overcome Self-Defeating Behavior
We tend to think that most opposition comes from around us. A complaining spouse, a controlling boss, a road-raging driver.
But something we rarely acknowledge is that we’re often our own worst enemies. Here are a few ways to stop self-defeating behavior.
#1: Let go of victory
It’s nice to win, but you don’t have to win all the time. The lust for victory can keep you chugging along a reckless path.
Then again, sometimes it’s good to cut your losses and win a lesson instead.
#2: Stop trying to please everyone
You can’t make everyone happy every time. Rushing around to do this is a huge self-defeating behavior.
And it can cost you your health and peace of mind.
#3: Accept imperfection
If you seek perfection, you will never find completion. Can you imagine Michelangelo stressing over the Sistine Chapel details?
Nothing would ever get done! Imperfection is part of being human, and most of the time, you’re the only one who will notice your mistakes anyway.
#4: End bad habits
These days, most people have bad habits that relate to technology. Like obsessive email or social media checking.
Take stock of how you spend your time. Make a detailed log of the minutes and hours, and see how much time you might be wasting with various pursuits.
#5: Overcome fear
Fear is something that holds most people back from living a higher purpose. It doesn’t have to be a direct sense of trepidation.
It might come disguised as laziness or avoidance.
#6: Stop being a lone wolf
Everybody needs help sometimes, even the lone wolf. Ask for help when you need it.
Whether it’s in business or personal life, make friends, accept help, and seek help when it’s needed.
#7: Drop the guilt
People can change and grow, so you don’t have to let your past hold you back. Most of us grow up with a mentality that we have to slave away for someone else.
We cram our enjoyment into the weekend, But you can break free from this thought prison.
Is it time to make some changes to your daily routine? You want your day to get off to the best start possible.
So, let this GenuLines list help you to tweak your routine.
Your Daily Routine Can Make Your Day
When you were growing up you may have followed a strict routine. As an adult you tend to relax the rules.
This can lead to other problems.
To keep the issue count low create a daily routine. A structured life can yield many powerful benefits.
Develop good habits
One of the best reasons to create a daily routine is that it can help you change bad habits. The changes may be gradual.
But in time you’ll start seeing big improvements.
Boost your efficiency
Do you ever wish you could get more done and make the most of your time? A daily routine can add structure to your life and make you much more efficient.
You won’t waste as much time as you once did, and you day will be a whole lot more productive.
Improve your health
One of the most powerful reasons to create a daily routine is that it can help you improve your health. This goes for physical or mental health.
You’ll notice the changes in your mood and general wellbeing.
Sleep better
When you have a routine you tend to sleep better. If you go to bed at the same time each night, and awake at the same time each morning, you’ll feel much more refreshed.
Work in other habits like switching off screens and other gadgets an hour before bed.
Incorporate more structure
To reach your goals you need willpower and motivation. A daily routine can incorporate both.
Exercise is a good example. When you add it into your daily routine, it becomes an automatic habit.
And you won’t need willpower or rewards to keep it going.
Reduce and relieve stress
Knowing that you have a daily regimen can help you add even more healthy habits. This turns down the stress levels.
And it opens more possibilities for you to schedule time for relaxation each day.
So, there you have it, 6 reasons you should create daily routines. An effective routine can take time.
But once you have it in place you won’t regret taking the time to create it.
You put your best energy into all you do, at least that’s your intention. But sometimes your energy tank level drops to “empty.”
You need to re-fuel, and GenuLines has some ideas to keep you on the go.
4 Easy Ways to Maintain Your Energy
You started the day ready to take on the world. From the moment you got out of bed, you’ve been thinking about all the things you’re going to get done today.
You can’t wait to get started! Then it all falls apart.
By the end of the day, you’re grumpy and out of sorts. The day somehow derailed.
Now here you are, feeling like you didn’t do half the things you wanted to today. What happened?
Well, sometimes it’s true that life does get in the way. The car won’t start, or the dog gets loose, and you spend half the morning chasing him around the neighborhood.
Life gets in the way. More often than not, though, you likely did what most people do: you crashed and burned.
You ran out of energy. So, how do you maintain your energy levels even on the toughest of days?
Check-in With Yourself
First of all, you need to be paying more attention to your body. Catch yourself right when your energy begins to waver.
You might be able to stave off a massive crash later on. When you’re lagging, it’s because you need something small, like a drink of water.
Or a little activity. Or even a small snack.
These are quick and easy fixes that only take a minute. Ignore them, though, and you’re liable to lose hours of your day before you know it.
Engage in a Routine (or Two)
We tend to burn out because we’re scrambling to sort out our day and find the things we need. If you have a morning routine, for example, you’ll have everything near at hand right when you need it.
Getting out of the door will take half the energy, giving you reserves for where you need it most.
Ask yourself what parts of your day you can streamline. Set up a routine and make sure to follow through with those routines as often as possible.
Become More Intentional
Too often, our day becomes filled with little nonsense tasks which take up energy and time. What is it you need to do?
What actions will leave the biggest impact on the day?
Put your energy where it counts most by being more intentional in what you’re doing. Remember, you don’t have to be the one to do everything.
Delegate the non-essential items to keep yourself focused on what matters.
Get to Bed!
While a bedtime routine is a great start, pay more attention to your sleep. Create a sleep environment that is free from noise and distraction.
Make sure your room is at an optimal temperature, and yes, if need be, invest in a better mattress or new pillows.
Getting a good night’s sleep will keep you more energetic throughout the day.
We don’t like to admit to our procrastination. We say and do things that make us feel that we’re not doing it.
It’s a habit that GenuLines wants to help you break.
Are You a Prisoner of Procrastination?
Procrastination is a thief. It robs you of precious minutes and hours, before you realize they’re gone.
You wonder where the time went but it’s too late.
You intended to complete al task today but put it off until tomorrow. And there was good reason to do so, or so you thought.
False Faces
Procrastination comes in many disguises. Sometimes it’s called rationalization.
You say, “I didn’t get started on that project because the weather was too hot or I didn’t have all the parts.” You can always come up with good reasons to delay a project.
Procrastination can become a habit. Put off forming new habits and it will be your constant companion.
Priorities?
We find ways to delay a task because there are other things more important to do. These are usually excuses.
Like checking your email. Or playing an on-line game.
Or surfing the TV to see if you’re missing something interesting.
Decisions Decisions
You must recognize a real reason to delay as opposed to an excuse not to do something you don’t want to do. Ask yourself if you need to do that job.
If so then get it done and then reward yourself for a victory over procrastination. When the job is complete, step back and assess what you’ve done to see if it was worth the time and effort.
It could be you were procrastinating for good reason, but that’s rarely the case. Lack of direction can cause you to procrastinate because you’re not sure what to do next.
It Starts Here
Disorganization is a kind of father of procrastination. Get organized with a to-do list with the most urgent at the top.
Make a deal with yourself that you won’t do anything else until you do at least one thing on the list. You can make giant strides with tiny steps.
Huge projects can be daunting whether you’re writing a book or building a house. You can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel because the elephant is standing in the way.
Cut a slice out of that elephant one day at a time and soon it’ll be gone.
Be Decisive
Make a decision on what needs to done and do it. Even if it’s wrong at least you’ve done something.
Indecision can cause major delays in both your business and personal live. It’s easier to make a decision if you create a list of the pros and cons of what you must do.
Once you have a clear direction, your mind clears and the path opens up.
Fear
Fear of failure can cause procrastination. The failure lies in never getting started.
Difficult and dreaded tasks are rarely as bad as they seem at the beginning. Stop procrastinating today.
The stress is getting to you. So you head for the kitchen.
This is a bad combination, and GenuLines wants to help you break the tendency.
You Can Stop Stress Eating With These 5 Steps
Stress eating can happen to any of us during any stressful situation. When times are tough you might turn to food for emotional shelter.
This is not a healthy way to deal with stress. It can often cause weight gain, depression, and low self-esteem.
Here are some tips to help you keep stress on a short leash.
Food Choices
You want to start with a healthy diet. Stressful times make us turn to junk food for comfort.
Things like chips, chocolate, candy and anything sweet.
You can create a food diary. This lets you track what you eat, when you eat, and what times you’re hungriest. And you’ll identify your trigger food(s).
You don’t want to drop all your favorite foods because this will only tempt you more. But what you do want to do is to make healthier food choices.
Switch out your junk food for healthy food. You’ll feel better.
And smart eating helps to decrease your appetite and improve your health in general.
Exercise
Stress can leave you depressed and overwhelmed. This is where exercise comes into play.
No need to run to the gym or go out and buy a treadmill.
A simple close to home workout can suffice. Go jogging, running, play a sport, or go walking.
Physical activity kicks up your brain’s feel good neurotransmitters, also known as endorphins.
Meditation
Meditation is a powerful tool used for stress, anxiety, and depression. It helps lower your stress levels and brings you into a relaxed and soothing mood.
Even if you only meditate for 5 minutes, you’ll feel a difference. Make it a daily practice.
Prevent Boredom
Unconscious eating can be a result of boredom. To prevent boredom, do activities throughout your day.
For example, you can paint, draw, try out pottery, knitting, or even sewing.
There are many things you can do to fill up your day no matter where you live. Visit an art gallery, learn a new language, read a book, visit family or friends to help prevent boredom.
When your mind is struggling with something, you won’t focus on food unless necessary.
Support
Calling a friend or family member for support is a great option to help with stressful eating. In fact, some other options such as joining a support group or signing up for therapy might help you even more!
Speaking to a professional helps you identify your stressors and food triggers. And you can set up a plan that works best for you.
A support group can surround you with other people who are meeting the same challenge as you. Having a team to back you will feel inspiring and uplifting.
Leaders who get that title can put the group on their shoulders during the toughest times. It’s inspirational, and it can even change the world.
This GenuLines look at how it’s done should inspire you, even if you don’t plan to change the world.
8 Ways Leaders Pull the Team Through Tough Times
It’s easy to be a leader when things are rolling along. In fact, it can be downright awesome.
Especially if you get your own castle or palace (this may not apply to the typical shift manager).
But what if your team is in the trenches under fire? You need some serious leadership skills to hold it all together.
Consider the following.
1. Grit
The definition of grit is courage, resolve, and strength of character. Blend these qualities and you come up with one word: toughness.
Good leaders hold the team together in tough times by staying committed to the battle.
2. Optimism
Grit tends to relate to the present. But optimism is a component of leadership that looks to the future.
A leader who has a positive view of the outcome is creating a mental framework for the team to pull through. This is because they foster the belief that something great is on the other side.
3. Pragmatism
Leaders need to be gritty and optimistic. They also need to be practical.
Their intelligence and common sense will steer them through a given situation. Viewing the future through rose colored glasses can lead to costly mistakes.
4.Selflessness
A bad captain will try to save their own skin. A good captain makes sure crewmembers get off the sinking ship first. (that said, it’s not necessary to go down with the ship)!.
5. Resolution
Tough times are ripe for dissension and mutiny, but a good leader holds command. Sometimes you have to show tough love.
Put the proverbial foot down when members of the team start talking smack. They’ll thank you later.
6. Encouragement
A good leader encourages the team during a tough stretch to help them find the drive to make it through. Sometimes encouragement can be as simple as a casual look-in to the group.
They’ll pat some backs, and give smiles or friendly words.
7. Preparedness
A good leader makes preparations for the team’s bad times.
The plan to cover all the possibilities, including what to do if things don’t go exactly the way they were hoping.
8. Bravery
Fear can undermine the entire mission. This is true whether the war is on a battlefield, a sporting field, or the sales floor.
A good leader is brave and inspires the team with that bravery.
If most people agree on anything it’s that they want to be happy. But many don’t know how to get to that state.
GenuLines asks you to consider a road map that shows the starting point is VERY close to home!
Real Happiness Comes From Within
Life isn’t always a sip of the sweetest nectar. Often when we look around, everybody else seems to have a happier life.
Yet they may be thinking the same about us. So, how do you become happy?
A good start is to love yourself.
To love yourself means to accept that you’re not a perfect being, but you are a valuable human being. You have as much worth as anyone else.
Genuine happiness also implies contentment and a certain level of peace. It’s not about always being ecstatic.
You’ll experience happiness when you feel good about your job. Or your family and friends.
Your looks, your living arrangement, your car, and your possessions.
Life teaches you about right and wrong, trying and failing, winning and losing. Failure is part of life, and it can be an important step on the way to success.
It should never stop you from being happy.
But what about the downtimes?
How can we be happy in the face of negative feelings?
Start by making an effort to improve the quality of your life and your surroundings. Better yet, help somebody else do that.
Whether it’s cleaning up your room, helping a friend, taking care of your sick dog, working out … they all can help you feel better.
Imagine life as a big scoreboard like the ones used in pro sports. Every time you take a step forward, you score points.
Wouldn’t it be nice to look at that board at the end of each game and think to yourself “Whew! Not bad. I’m glad I gave it a shot.”, instead of looking at a bunch of zeroes.
Genuine happiness isn’t about driving the hottest car. Or being employee of the year.
How do you become genuinely happy?
Everyone has their own definition of happiness. But you don’t have to be rich or even successful in worldly terms.
It’s about doing and making the best out of every situation. When you can laugh at your own mistakes yet be willing to try again you’re getting it.
When you learn to accept yourself and your faults, you pass ‘Happiness 101’. If you have trouble doing this, work on accepting others and their faults.
When you know how to accept others, you’ll likely get acceptance from them. Know how to love and expect more love to come your way.