Who doesn’t love a good makeover movie? The Princess Diaries: royally iconic. She’s All That: Freddie Prinze Jr. was our generation’s first love. Clueless: Brittany Murphy looked amazing—before and after Cher made her over (even though that was way harsh, Tai). But real life isn’t a ’90s rom-com. It takes more than contacts and a hair straightener to transform your life. We survived high school, learned that our worth isn’t in our wardrobes, and realized the quarterback should have liked us with or without frizzy hair and braces (the funny best friend is a way better boyfriend anyway).
Instead, the adult version of a ’90s makeover move is focusing on becoming our happiest, healthiest, best selves. That means adopting habits that make us feel good, being kinder to ourselves, and being intentional about our routines so we’re living mindfully. No wardrobe overhaul or popular Homecoming date will change your life, but these 25 micro-habits that take five minutes or less just might.
1. Let your to-do lists work for your future self
Making a to-do list is no revolutionary hack, but most of us aren’t thinking long-term. Before jotting down your next to-do list, ask yourself, Are these tasks moving me toward my future self goals? Every item should be a step in that direction. Want to grow your side hustle? Spend 30 minutes a week learning about social media marketing. Sitting too much while WFH? Block out four-minute exercise snacks. Hoping to build a home that feels more like you? Daily chores, budgeting, and small upgrades all count. Even the simplest to-dos can serve a bigger purpose.
Looking at your daily to-do lists through a big-picture lens will show you what deserves your focus and what you can outsource. Of course, those mundane chores or tedious tasks will always be there, but prioritizing what will get you closer to your goals—like the brainstorming meeting you’ve been putting off or fitting in a workout—ensures your time and effort pay off.
2. Make your bed
At the risk of sounding like your mom—yes, you do need to make your bed. Not only will it feel good to get into a made bed at night, but it also sets the tone for your day. Making your bed first thing every morning knocks out one small win before you even have a cup of coffee, which subconsciously motivates you to crush even more wins all day long (and you know what they say about small wins: they lead up to really big ones). And as Gretchen Rubin found in her research, making your bed is one of the easiest and most common daily habits you can do to boost happiness.
3. Stack up on the (leafy) greens
Getting healthier doesn’t always involve a dramatic overhaul. It’s often a series of small habits and minor additions to your diet that snowball into a healthier lifestyle that’s all-around better for you. Forget cutting out entire food groups or limiting what you can and cannot eat (that can backfire and lead to bingeing or an unhealthy relationship with food). Instead, add leafy greens to at least two meals a day: spinach in an omelet, kale in a pasta sauce, and a side salad when eating out. As simple as it seems, those little additions pack in so many good-for-you nutrients, helping you feel your best. By shifting your mind frame from restriction and labeling foods as “good” or “bad” to what you can add, you’ll naturally crowd out foods that don’t serve you.
“Getting healthier doesn’t always involve a dramatic overhaul; it’s often a series of small habits that snowball into a healthier lifestyle that’s all-around better for you.”
4. Give yourself hard deadlines
You know from college all-nighters and projects at work that if there’s a deadline you have to meet, you find a way to get it done. What makes a paper for “Shakespeare 101” or an assignment our bosses give us different from a personal goal is that we don’t usually have a deadline to motivate us to accomplish it by a certain time. No matter how small or specific your goal—like replacing your old couch, going on three first dates, establishing an emergency fund, or running three miles—give yourself a specific and realistic deadline.
If you’re still having trouble sticking to goals because you know your deadlines are “flexible” when you’re the one setting them, hold yourself accountable by signing up for a marathon, announcing the launch of your side business with a release date, or sharing your drop-dead date with a friend or family member.
5. Put down your phone, and get your body moving instead
You know it, you love it, you depend on it: the momentary pause from uninterrupted work to take a quick scroll through social media. At this point, opening a social media app might feel like second nature when you just finished one task and need a refresh before moving on to the next. But instead of scrolling through Instagram or refreshing TikTok, get up and move your body to refresh yourself in between work tasks. A few jumping jacks, a mini dance party, a yoga flow, or just some stretches are enough to energize your body, reset your mind, and help you focus better for the rest of the day.
6. Feed your brain with books
I entered my reading era this past year, and my new library card may have single-handedly provided the greatest transformation to my well-being. Reading is the greatest life hack because you can literally learn anything you want and work toward any goal by doing it. Reading more often helped noticeably decrease my anxiety. While I love my regular therapy sessions, affirmations, meditations, mood-boosting workouts, and all the things we do to quiet the mind, I noticed a shift in my anxiety when I started to read more. It can be a calming activity (especially when it’s replacing activities like binging TV that may stimulate you), but reading also allows us to tap into other stories, worlds, cultures, and opinions, meaning we get to be out of our minds and into our imagination.
Reading is not only enjoyable; it’s good for you. Whether it’s winding down before bed, taking a break in the afternoon, or a ritual that you look forward to when starting your day, fit in some time to read, even if it’s just a handful of pages or for five minutes. As for what to read? Start with books that will help you better your life or light-hearted beach reads you won’t be able to put down.
7. Say “thank you” instead of “I’m sorry”
I have a terrible habit of saying “sorry” all the time. I say “sorry” when I need someone to repeat what they said or when I bump into a stranger, and I apologize profusely for being late or making a mistake. While “sorry” is just a word, language can affect how we think and feel about ourselves, and women, in particular, are taught to be polite by putting themselves down. Instead of “sorry,” make a conscious effort to say “thank you” instead. “Thank you for being patient!” instead of “Sorry for being late!” is another form of practicing gratitude, but it’s also a consistent way to be kinder to yourself. There’s a place for saying sorry like in relationships when you make a mistake or hurt the other person’s feelings, but showing gratitude can be even more important.
“Language can affect the way we think and feel about ourselves and women are taught to be polite by putting themselves down.”
8. Do a “closing shift” before bed
I know, I know: The last thing you want to do at the end of a long day is clean. But leaving dishes in the sink or laundry piled on the chair (we all have that one chair) can prevent you from feeling fully relaxed when going to bed at night or might make you start the next day more stressed. Clutter in your space can translate to clutter in your mind, so put in five minutes for a “closing shift” before bed: run the dishwasher, wipe off kitchen counters, and tidy up any papers or laundry in the bedroom. A clearer bedroom can help you sleep at night, and a clean kitchen can make mornings happier.
9. Practice your posture power
Bad news for all you other slouchers: Your posture could be messing with your body and brain. Practice better posture for overall health by straightening your back, relaxing your shoulders, and yes—stop staring down at your phone. Better yet, do some quick, 60-second bodyweight posture exercises: wall angels, chin tucks, cat-cows, shoulder rolls. Did you sit up taller just now? Good. Posture is a habit, and every good habit is formed through repetition. Work on your posture throughout the day, and give yourself little nudges, whether it’s phone alerts, Post-its around your apartment, or a phone wallpaper note.
10. Work out less, move more
If your schedule is so packed that fitting in a workout is causing you more stress, it might be hurting your health rather than boosting it. It’s time we stop thinking of “exercise” as only an hour-long HIIT class and make it about living more actively by moving whenever we can. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking a bit further away from the grocery store adds up. Make walking part of your routine—choose the coffee shop, grocery store, or bar for happy hour that’s within walking distance, instead of getting in the car to drive. As a rule of thumb, move more than you sit. It’s a simple change with a big payoff for your overall health and well-being.
11. Master the art of saying “no”
How often do you avoid saying “no” when you really want to? Do you find yourself doing favors for others when you’re already stretched too thin? Do you pick up work for coworkers when you’re too busy, say “yes” to plans you’re not excited about, or hang out with friends to avoid FOMO (even though you want a chill night in)? One of the most powerful things you can do for yourself is to say what you mean and be true to what you need. Master the art of saying “no.” Say, “I’d love to help you, but I can’t give the time and effort to this task that it deserves,” or “I need a night to myself tonight, but let’s get coffee this weekend,” whenever you feel the need to please.
12. Manage your money based on what brings you joy
I’m the last person you’d expect to give financial advice: I never even thought about taking a business course in college, and the extent of my money knowledge up until a few years ago was how to budget for Starbucks. But one piece of financial advice really clicked for me: Money is your life’s energy. I started looking at money differently when I realized money is actually just a tool to live our fullest, best, happiest life.
So be thoughtful about how you want to spend your life’s energy; does it really bring you joy to go to drinks with that friend you don’t have fun with or to buy the top you’ll only wear once? Maybe it’s worth limiting Postmates to save up for that bucket list trip, or maybe Friday night drinks with friends is something you look forward to and worth the money. Manage your money based on what actually sparks joy—it takes the stress out of spending money on vacations, items, and experiences that you truly love. And don’t forget to invest in yourself: get a gym membership, enroll in that online course, and open a savings account. The more money you put into something, the more likely you are to stick with it as a habit.
13. Mute the social media noise
You may be the sum of the five people you spend most of your time with, but you’re also the sum of the five people you engage with on Instagram. Unfollow or mute all the accounts that don’t make you feel inspired, happy, or confident. Rethink whether the bloggers, celebs, and brands you support are providing you with uplifting content or if their posts just make you feel bad about where you are in life. Likewise, it’s time to mute or unfollow that frenemy you had in high school or your sorority sister’s ex-boyfriend’s cousin you met a few times. Replace any uninspiring content with women whose careers you admire and creators that will bring you positivity whenever you scroll (like, I don’t know, @theeverygirl, for a totally random example). Most importantly, instead of watching other people’s lives, go live your own.
“Instead of watching other people’s lives, go live your own.”
14. Get to bed earlier
It’s the obvious advice no one wants to hear but is the truth: Your life, body, creative output, energy, and joy could be infinitely better if you locked in your sleep. Getting more (and quality) Zzz’s is easier said than done, but just like working out or eating healthy, it’s a habit. Detox your sleep routine, try a top-rated supplement, or actually stop looking at screens pre-bedtime to fit in a bit more beauty sleep. You can also try moving up your bedtime just five minutes earlier than the night before until you wake up feeling refreshed and energized instead of zombie-like. And let’s stop hitting the snooze button. It’s only confusing the body, and if you’re going to sleep early enough, you should be waking up naturally and easily.
15. Donate $5 to a new organization or charity every month
It may sound counterintuitive to spend money more often if your bank account is a constant source of stress; however, when you feel a lack of something (be it time, love, or money), giving away more of it can help you realize how much you actually have. It’s a cliché glass-half-empty situation; realizing you have enough water (or money) to give some away will show you the glass is half-full instead. But more important than even our own finances is what we can do to help other people. Showing compassion, support, and empathy should be recurring, just like brushing our teeth or doing a load of laundry. Take the time to educate yourself on organizations and charities that need your help, and then donate what you can regularly (even the price of one latte can make a difference).
“When you feel a lack of something (be it time, love, or money), giving away more of it can help you realize how much you actually have.”
16. Set your alarm a few minutes earlier than you need to
If your mornings feel more like a race against the clock like an episode of Chopped, consider waking up earlier to have a slow, calm start to your day. You might have limited control over your mornings (like an early work start time or a child to take care of), so waking up just 10-15 minutes earlier to do something just for you will help you feel more in control and calmer throughout the entire day. Whether you spend your time meditating, indulging in a luxurious skincare routine, or just brewing a cup of coffee with a moment of silence, you will not miss the 10 minutes of extra sleep.
17. Limit decision fatigue
We make a lot of decisions every single day, even within the first few minutes of waking up: whether or not to hit snooze, what to wear (which is approximately 100 different decisions in itself), when to eat, to be or not to be (that is the question—especially when you didn’t get enough sleep last night). The little decisions add up to be overwhelming. Decision fatigue is a real thing, and it’s why we opt for pizza delivery instead of cooking at the end of a long day, or forego the workout altogether if we have to think about which time slot works best.
To keep up with healthy habits, limit decision-making as much as possible. Meal prep some breakfasts and lunches, sign up for workout classes in advance, and try a go-to outfit formula so you don’t run into the “I-don’t-have-anything-to-wear” saga. The beauty of forming habits? You don’t have to think about whether or not to go to bed or wake up earlier, hit the gym, or do the dishes after dinner—you just do it because not doing it isn’t an option.
18. Visualize your wins
We’re mentally rehearsing our lives constantly, whether we’re conscious of it or not. But instead of what could go right, we typically focus on what could go wrong: What if I forget my point during the meeting? What if it’s awkward on the first date? What if I look stupid in that new workout class? Our reptilian survival brains are wired to spot danger. In 2025, perceived threats are more emotional: feeling vulnerable, not being liked, coming up short, or failing at work and in relationships.
But constantly seeing our lives through the lens of what could go wrong holds us back from going after and succeeding in what we want. Instead, mentally rehearse what could go right. Picture yourself nailing the presentation, enjoying a first date, or killing it in a workout class. When you mentally rehearse positive outcomes, you’re training your nervous system to expect positive outcomes, making the actual event so much more likely to go as you imagined it.
19. Work smarter, stress less
Pareto’s Principle, AKA the 80/20 rule, says 20 percent of your tasks deliver 80 percent of the results. In other words, to get to any goal, whether it’s in your career, health, or relationships, focus on the few actions that are going to get you closer to it. Most of our stress comes from obsessing over the other 80 percent that doesn’t make much of a difference. Say you have a long to-do list (that’s a given): 80 percent of your progress will come from 20 percent of the items on it. Prioritize the high-impact stuff (think: showing up to a big client meeting, meal prepping, or going to bed an hour earlier), and stop sweating the small stuff (think: getting your inbox to zero, taking all of your supplements, or perfecting your nighttime routine).
20. In social settings, ask more questions
Meeting new people can be nerve-wracking—a first date, job interview, or making a new friend. We all want to be liked and thought of as charming, funny, charismatic, interesting, and impressive. But being likable is actually less about what you say and more about how interested you are in the other person. The best hack for being charismatic: Ask questions more often than you talk about yourself (and actually be interested in the answer!). What we think about other people actually comes from how we feel about ourselves when we’re around them. If you make someone feel good about themselves, they’ll love being around you. And they’ll feel closer to you when they share about their life and feel like you care. In any social situation, worry less about what you’ll say and focus more on making the other person feel heard.
21. Set your passwords to your favorite affirmations
Think about how many times a day you log on to your email, Slack, Instagram, or bank app. Now imagine turning each login into an instant mini meditation. Yes, phones can auto-fill passwords now, but that’s exactly why this micro-habit works if you choose it on purpose. Turn off auto-fill for a few key logins (e.g., work, banking, or wellness platforms—whatever you use daily and doesn’t automatically open), and make the password an affirmation you want to see more often: All is well. I am safe. I am grateful. I am capable. Every time you type it out, it’s a little mental reset, reinforcing that belief in your mind. A few seconds, a few times a day, and you’re quietly rewiring your mindset without adding anything new to your schedule—way more useful than typing out your first dog’s name or birthday over and over.
22. Tap into abundance every time you spend money
Every time you pay a bill (rent, utilities, phone) or buy something (latte, takeout, makeup), you have a chance to tap into abundance instead of dread or stress. Rather than thinking, “Ugh, there goes my money,” flip it. Say, “I’m so grateful to have the money to pay for this” each time you spend money. It rewires your brain to see money as something that flows, not something you lose or lack. Though it doesn’t change the bill or cost, it reframes your mindset. And the more you practice abundance, the more naturally it’ll show up in different parts of your life.
23. Habit stack with wrist or ankle weights
Slip on a pair of 1-2 pound wrist weights while you carry out routines you already have in place: blow drying your hair, walking, making dinner, cleaning your home. Wrist weights can turn everyday, mundane tasks into a mini resistance workout for your arms, making your to-dos do more for you. Your arms work harder without you even noticing (OK, you might feel a little burn). You’re not spending any extra time doing it; you’re leveling up the rituals you do anyway. Combine it with a mental cue, like putting the weights on your bathroom counter, and your new wrist-weight-wearing habit becomes more effortless.
24. Charge your phone outside your bedroom
Our phones have become extensions of ourselves. By charging yours anywhere but your bedroom, you’re making a tiny tweak with major rewards: less mindless (doom)scrolling, better sleep, and a calmer end and start to your day. Out of sight, out of mind—and out of reach. You can’t grab it before heading to bed or the second your alarm goes off, giving your brain space to wind down or wake up without digital noise. Over time, the practice will reshape your morning and nighttime routines, lower stress, and help you reclaim your time and focus—all without feeling like you’re giving anything up.
Josie Santi, Senior Wellness Editor & Podcast Host
Josie has been an editor and writer for The Everygirl since 2017 and became a certified Holistic Health Coach in 2020. As the Senior Wellness Editor, she oversees, writes, and edits wellness content, as well as reports on wellness trends and interviews the industry’s leading experts. Listen to Josie on The Everygirl Podcast.
