I’m not an expert at anything in life. I’m not sure I ever will be. That’s fine by me. I am, however, two things: a lover of God’s Word and a curator of useful information.
I love spending time reading and meditating on Scripture. No, I have never been to seminary. Maybe I will someday. But for the past 30 years, I have been a girl who meets with the Lord each and every day as I open my Bible and sip my morning coffee. It’s shaped my life more than any other daily practice.
My second passion is learning. I love listening to podcasts, watching videos, and reading books on subjects that range from neuroscience to creative writing to mental toughness to nutrition to parenting to friendships. I devour the content in search of ways I can practically apply what I’ve learned and see the benefits in my health, my faith, my family, and my community.
Today, I wanted to share with you some of those applications and how transformative they can be in your life. I think often we talk ourselves out of applying helpful information that we know would be good for us in the name of busyness. We just don’t have the time. Or that’s the story we tell ourselves.
Yes, you are busy. I believe you. You are important and you have urgent things to do and people who need you. That doesn’t mean you can’t start and keep habits that will improve the quality (and perhaps even the quantity) of your life. You can get a lot done, and do it from a place of peace and strength, not anxiety and weariness.
I believe in you. I for sure believe in the Holy Spirit’s help and power in your life. I know that God’s will for you is to experience life and life to the full! (John 10:10) I believe the Lord’s desire is that you abide in Jesus and bear much fruit— not simply survive the hectic and get by.
I hope you believe that, too. I hope you believe it so much that you decide that there’s more to discover, explore, apply, and become. Why not start with 15 minutes or less a day that you devote to one of the below practices? Commit to them daily for the next month and see what happens. I dare you…
1. Read or listen to a passage of Scripture and reflect on it for 15 minutes every morning.
You don’t have to read multiple chapters of the Bible at a time to spend meaningful time in Scripture. Decide to read through a book of the Bible one chapter a day at a time. Not sure where to start? Try one of the 4 Gospels in the New Testament to learn more about the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. Read a chapter and then reflect on the passage… note what took place, what it teaches you about God, how it relates to you personally, and how you can respond. Spend the last few minutes praying, talking to God about what you just read and listening to Him speak to your heart. I created the Seek First Journal to help you develop this amazing habit and to capture what you are learning along the way. You can order your journal here.
2. Get 10-15 minutes of sunlight first thing in the morning.
Soaking in 10-15 minutes of morning sunlight can significantly boost your mood and regulate your circadian rhythm, which is key for improving sleep quality and your mental health. This simple habit also aids in vitamin D synthesis and can positively impact your energy levels throughout the day. The best part? It’s free! Just step outside after you wake up, and if habit-stacking is your thing, pair this habit with reading your Bible and journaling in your Seek First Journal.
3. Write down 3 things you are grateful for every day.
In a culture of materialism, comparison, envy, and greed, you can choose to think and live differently. Take a few minutes during your day— perhaps before work, during your lunch break or before bedtime— and thank the Lord for three specific blessings in your life. Write them down and keep adding to your list. This habit is included in the daily reflections found in the Seek First Journal.
4. Sing along to one praise and worship song a day.
Create your own Spotify praise and worship playlist, and worship the Lord to one of the songs a day. Make this a part of your routine when getting ready for the day, your morning commute, a daily walk (see habit #6), or your music selection while making dinner. This simple habit carves out time in your day to express your devotion to Jesus and lift His Name above your troubles, worries, and fears.
5. Text or voice memo one friend or family member a day to check in.
Thinking about a loved one is not the same as actually connecting with them. Relationships, including long-distance ones, require intentional effort. Make it a habit to reach out to one family or friend a day. You may not have time to grab coffee or lunch with them, but you have time to check in and exchange a few texts or voice memos. I have a friend who prefers videos, so I record them on one of my weekly walks and send them her way. Our schedules are a bit all over the place with little kids, so our videos have to take the place of FaceTime. That’s okay. We are making it work and reminding one another that we love each other and are praying for each other.
6. Go for a 15 minute walk outside after lunch.
A fifteen minute walk after lunch works wonders on your physical and mental health! It is proven to positively aid your digestion and lower blood sugar levels. It’s also an easy way to get more physical activity and movement in your day, which is a necessity for those of us who spend most of our time sitting behind a desk. By walking for as little as 15 minutes after lunch, you give yourself a much needed mental break and come back for the second half of your day with renewed focus and clarity.
7. Learn something new from a daily podcast or chapter from a book.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “leaders are learners.” There’s a lot of truth to that. Stay curious and invest in your own learning by listening to a podcast (either a short episode or a portion of a longer one) or reading or listening to a chapter of a book daily. When you feel like you are stagnant in your own growth or stuck in a rut, exposing yourself to new concepts and ideas will shake things up!
8. Dim the lights in your house in the evening and avoid scrolling at night.
Adjusting the brightness of your lights, especially in the evening, can significantly impact your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. You can install dimmer switches, use smart bulbs with dimming features, or simply utilize the built-in dimming functions on your current lighting. Dimming lights before bed allows your melatonin levels to increase, which is crucial for sleep quality. Give yourself a technology curfew, and avoid scrolling on your phone in the evenings. Opt for a much better way to unwind and relax at the end of the day… think sitting on your porch connecting with your spouse, reading a good book, taking a bath, etc.
9. Start your day with a glass of water… and get enough water throughout the day.
Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning helps to rehydrate your body after a night’s sleep, kickstarts your metabolism, improves digestion, and can cause a feeling of fullness, which can be beneficial for those seeking to lose weight. Water is so important to our overall health! Make a plan to stay hydrated throughout the day. A simple rule of thumb (in most, but not all cases) is divide your body weight in half and that’s the number of ounces of water to drink daily. If you have coffee or exercise, go ahead and add another 16-20 ounces of water to your daily intake. I use LMNT electrolytes after a workout to stay hydrated, and not only are they sugar free, but they taste great!
10. Share a meal with others at least once a day… and put your phone away.
Commit to sharing at least one meal each day with someone else, and use that time to enjoy yummy food and genuinely connect with others. That may look like family dinners. That may look like eating lunch with your coworkers. That could mean making extra breakfast for your roommate and sitting down for a few minutes before the day begins. Nothing brings people together more quickly than food, and when you sit down for a meal, you slow down and become more present in the moment.