Eat, sleep, feel and love better by following these 8 habits, according to psychology

Isabella Chase by Isabella Chase | January 26, 2025, 4:03 pm

Living better is about more than just physical health. It’s a mix of nourishing meals, restful sleep, positive emotions, and nurturing relationships. And psychology offers us some pretty handy tips on how to achieve this holistic wellness.

These aren’t quick fixes or magic potions. They’re habits – daily practices that, when consistently followed, can improve how we eat, sleep, feel, and love.

I’m going to share 8 of these habits with you. They’re backed by psychology and are practical enough to fit into your everyday life. So, ready to live better? Let’s dive in!

1) Mindful eating

Ever found yourself mindlessly munching on a bag of chips while watching TV? This is exactly what we want to avoid.

Mindful eating is all about being present in the moment while you eat. It’s about savoring every bite, appreciating the flavors, textures, and even the preparation that went into your meal.

According to psychology, this practice can help us avoid overeating and make healthier food choices. It’s not about dieting or restricting certain foods. It’s more about paying attention to your body’s hunger and satiety cues.

Next time you sit down for a meal, turn off the TV, put away your phone, and really focus on your food. You might just find that you enjoy your meal more and feel better after eating.

But remember, like any habit, it takes time to cultivate mindful eating. So don’t be hard on yourself if it doesn’t come naturally at first. Practice makes perfect!

2) Regular sleep schedule

I used to be quite the night owl, always burning the midnight oil. But over time, I realised that irregular sleep patterns were taking a toll on my mood, energy levels, and overall health.

That’s when I stumbled upon the concept of a regular sleep schedule. According to psychology, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can help regulate our body’s internal clock, leading to better sleep quality and more energy during the day.

So, I decided to give it a try. I set a bedtime and a wake-up time that I could stick to every day, even on weekends. The first few days were tough, and there were times when I wanted to hit the snooze button or stay up late watching Netflix. But I persisted.

And you know what? It worked! My sleep improved, my days became more productive, and I felt happier and healthier. Now, maintaining a regular sleep schedule is one of my top priorities for my well-being.

Remember, everyone is different. What works for me may not work for you. But if you’re struggling with sleep issues or just want to improve your overall wellness, a regular sleep schedule might be worth trying.

3) Physical activity

Although it’s often associated with physical health, exercise plays a crucial role in how we feel emotionally and mentally. When we engage in physical activity, our body releases endorphins – neurotransmitters known as the body’s “feel-good hormones”.

These endorphins can help alleviate stress, improve mood, and even promote better sleep. In fact, one study found that regular exercise is just as effective as medication for reducing symptoms of depression.

The best part? It doesn’t have to be a grueling workout at the gym. Even a simple walk around the block or a quick yoga session at home can do wonders for your well-being. The key is consistency. Find a type of physical activity you enjoy and make it part of your daily routine.

4) Express gratitude

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you”. It’s about recognizing the good in our lives and appreciating what we have.

Psychology tells us that practicing gratitude can enhance our mood, increase our satisfaction with life, and even improve our relationships.

One simple way to practice this habit is by keeping a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re grateful for each day, no matter how big or small they might be. You might be surprised at how this small practice can make a big difference in your outlook on life.

Remember, it’s not about ignoring the negative aspects of life. It’s about choosing to focus on the positive. And when we do that, we can truly start to eat, sleep, feel and love better.

5) Genuine connection

In a world where we’re more digitally connected than ever, it’s easy to forget the importance of genuine, face-to-face connection.

Psychology tells us that forming deep and meaningful relationships can help us feel happier, reduce stress, and even improve our physical health.

But it’s not just about having a wide social circle. It’s about the quality of the connections we form. It’s about empathy, understanding, and mutual respect.

Take time to nurture your relationships. Have open and honest conversations, be there for each other during tough times, celebrate each other’s successes and simply enjoy each other’s company.

In our busy lives, it might be hard to find the time to connect deeply with others. But when we do, it’s a precious thing that can truly enrich our lives.

6) Embrace imperfection

I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist. Striving for the best and pushing myself to the limit. But over time, I realized that this constant pursuit of perfection was doing more harm than good.

Psychology has taught us that embracing our imperfections, rather than hiding or denying them, can lead to greater acceptance of ourselves and others, and ultimately, to a happier, healthier life.

We all make mistakes. We all have flaws. And that’s perfectly okay. Instead of letting these imperfections get me down, I’ve learned to see them as opportunities for growth and self-improvement.

Nobody’s perfect. And the sooner we accept that, the better off we’ll be. So go easy on yourself. Celebrate your achievements, but also embrace your imperfections. They make you who you are.

7) Mindful breathing

Breathing is something we do without thinking, yet it holds immense powers if we pay attention to it. Mindful breathing is a form of meditation where you focus on your breath, bringing your attention to the present moment.

This simple practice can have profound effects. It can reduce stress, improve focus and mental clarity, and even enhance our emotional well-being.

You can practice mindful breathing anytime, anywhere. Whether it’s a few minutes in the morning before you start your day, during a break at work, or before you go to bed at night.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath in, hold it for a moment, then slowly exhale. Repeat this process and notice how you feel. With practice, mindful breathing can become a powerful tool for managing stress and promoting overall wellness.

8) Self-love and acceptance

At the heart of eating, sleeping, feeling and loving better is one essential habit: self-love and acceptance. Psychology tells us that the way we treat ourselves profoundly impacts our overall well-being.

Self-love is not about being narcissistic or selfish. It’s about acknowledging your worth and treating yourself with kindness and respect. It’s about setting boundaries, taking care of your needs, and forgiving yourself when you make mistakes.

Acceptance, on the other hand, is about embracing who you are—your strengths, your weaknesses, your quirks—and knowing that you’re enough just as you are.

Remember, self-love and acceptance is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and patience. But when you truly learn to love and accept yourself, you’ll find that eating better, sleeping better, feeling better, and loving better will follow naturally.

Final thoughts: It’s a journey

Improving how we eat, sleep, feel, and love doesn’t occur overnight. It’s a journey, and these eight habits are guideposts along the way.

Psychology tells us that our habits shape our lives more than we often realize. They influence our physical health, mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Remember, change starts with small steps. Try incorporating one habit at a time and observe how it impacts your life. Over time, you’ll notice a shift—a transformation into a healthier and happier self.

The renowned psychologist William James once said, “All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits.”

So let’s make those habits count. Let’s eat better, sleep better, feel better, and love better—for ourselves and for those around us. Because ultimately, it’s these everyday habits that shape our lives and define who we are.