Five Daily Habits That Will Make You Calmer (And Happier)

Most of us know about these habits but don’t prioritize practicing them because we are not aware of how much they influence our overall wellness.

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We live in the hustle culture where we are always busy, often spreading ourselves too thin between responsibilities and duties. The feeling that we need to do it all and rush from one activity to another can be exhausting and can cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety. The idea that it is important to slow down is difficult for many people as they can view it as being lazy or not having ambition in life, but the truth is that without adequate rest and space between all the to-dos, we can feel more irritable, annoyed, and jaded.

It is not to say that we have to give up on our ambitions, but practicing some daily habits can increase the feeling of calmness that better prepares us for our place in the world and can also benefit us physically.

Here are five daily habits that can make you calmer:

1. Mindfulness Practices

If you have family or friends who practice mindfulness by dedicating time for meditation or breathwork, you might have noticed that they seem calmer than people who do not. A 2022 clinical study showed that people who practiced mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) weekly for 2.5 hours or 45 minutes a day showed similar reductions in anxiety and increased calmness compared to those who took escitalopram (Lexapro). You can always start with 5 minutes a day and slowly increase the duration.

2. Physical Activity

It has been proven time and time again that people who are physically active are calmer than those who are not. By physical activity, it doesn’t mean you have to join the gym and do intense workouts, but activities like walking, gardening, and yoga, where you move your body, can reduce anxiety and make you calmer by reducing cortisol (stress hormones) levels and releasing endorphins that are natural mood boosters. Movement can make you more resilient, calmer, and less stressed.

3. Eat 'Natural' Foods

If you’ve wondered why you feel anxious and don’t have anything major in life that could be causing anxiety, take a look at what you eat. Over 90% of serotonin (mood-stabilizing hormone) is made in the gut, and processed food doesn't support the production of serotonin because it doesn’t support the production of good bacteria, which can explain how what you eat could contribute to you feeling on edge. People who choose more “natural” foods like vegetables, fruits, eggs, nuts, etc. tend to be calmer than those who eat more processed foods like chips, cakes, fries, etc.

4. Adequate Sleep

Everyone knows the importance of sleep, yet many of us stay up late on our phones or watching television, when the quality of our rest has a powerful effect on the quality of our waking life. People who do not get enough sleep tend to be more anxious than those who prioritize sleep because lack of sleep increases the level of cortisol in the body, which contributes to more anxiety. So, an easy way to feel less stressed is to value your sleep.

5. Make Time for People

Seeing people we love always lifts our mood and makes us happy, but one of the big cons of modern life is that we are too busy to see people regularly. Here, the only secret is that you have to make time or carve time out for people you love, because you would also be doing yourself a big favour. Oxytocin is often referred to as the “love hormone,” but hugging and holding hands can increase its production, which can make you calmer and happier. If your loved ones live far away and it's not always possible to see them, schedule phone calls where you can hear their voice, because listening to their voice can also produce oxytocin. Texts won’t help here.