"Let me know" is a column for our readers' stories. We launch a survey every week and are waiting for your comments. This week, the editors of Lifehacker were very inspired by your stories about how to start running, adjust sleep patterns and read more.
Meditation is a technique that helps to make consciousness clearer, relieves stress and improves health. It is based on concentration of attention: in the process, a person must focus on his thoughts or body reactions with an effort of will.
It is generally believed that meditation is a standard Buddhist vipassana. However, there are now many modern practices that include mindful eating, relaxing walks or dancing.
How to introduce a habit into life:
Regular jogging improves mood and brain activity, increases immunity. With their help, you can tone your muscles, reduce fat mass and lose weight.
I started running thanks to a dispute with friends. We started a chat where we send screenshots with mileage twice a week. I started with short distances and low speed, and then gradually increased the load. Now it's easy enough for me to cover 3-5 km at a time. I've lost weight, I feel healthier and more resilient. My shortness of breath has disappeared.
It takes discipline and willpower to make this practice regular. However, there are milder ways.
How to introduce a habit into life:
A common belief says, "To be productive, you need to get up early." However, the time of ascent is determined by internal circadian rhythms: it is easier for larks to rise with the first rays of the sun, while owls need to lie in bed a little longer. Therefore, they say First Step to Better Sleep: Wake Up at the Same Time Every Day / Verywell Health scientists, it doesn't matter what time you get up, the main thing is that you wake up at the same time every day.
One of our readers, for example, realized that she is most productive in the morning, so now she regularly tries to get up early. But it's easier for another girl to wake up at a later time. She used to be able to lie in bed until lunch, but now she has a clear schedule.
The psychologist advised me to always get up at 9:00, regardless of when I went to bed. Ideally, you also need to fall asleep at the same time, but this is more difficult for me. Regular lifting timing makes my life less chaotic and gives me a foothold. I always know that, no matter what, my day will start at a certain time and with certain rituals.
How to introduce a habit into life:
At first, I set a certain time for reading — before going to bed, for 20 minutes every day. It didn't suit me. Due to the blockages at work, I sometimes missed scheduled sessions, which demotivated me. I probably would have given up this activity if my friend had not advised another system — not to limit myself to the exact place and time, but to set the bar in the form of read pages.
So I started reading just in my free time — while driving to work or waiting for coffee in a restaurant. At first, my daily standard was 10 pages. I easily adhered to it and even exceeded it, which made me feel freer and happier. Now I read regularly and no longer keep track of the number of pages. But 1-3 books are published per month.
How to introduce a habit into life: do not put pressure on yourself. Start small — for example, promise yourself to master at least 10 pages every day.
Financial control is not easy for many. However, this is an important habit, thanks to which you will be able to get an airbag, increase your level of material comfort and prepare for retirement.
Tracking expenses and income, spending analysis, budget planning — all this will help you manage your own finances more consciously.
I started writing down all my expenses. It did not add money, but there was an understanding of where they were going. And this has already brought peace in life.
How to introduce a habit into life:
The annual health checkup is an important habit that helps to identify dangerous diseases before their symptoms appear. Therefore, it is worth getting examined even when nothing hurts. This will help to save both health and money.
Schedule a time and make an appointment with the necessary doctors — private and public clinics are at your service. We shared the list of necessary procedures for health checks in this material .