10 Small Changes That Can Have Big Impacts
Your goals may be big, but the first step towards reaching them doesn’t have to be. The daily habits we may not even think about play an enormous role in our overall health and happiness, as well as the impact we have on the world around us.
The smallest changes can often cause the biggest ripples as we strive to become our best selves and make the world a better place. Here are 10 tiny tweaks to your everyday routine that, when practiced consistently, can lead to big improvements.
Let’s make waves, one drop at a time.
1. Pack a reusable water bottle.
Repeat after me: Reduce single use! Taking a reusable water bottle wherever you go will remind you to drink more water, and when you stay properly hydrated throughout the day, there’s a good chance you’ll feel better!
Packing your favorite water bottle also helps you track how much water you’re actually drinking so you can reach your daily hydration goal.
2. Put your leftovers to good use.
Don’t throw those scraps in the trash — composting is a big win for your garden and for the planet.
When you reduce the amount of organic waste that goes into landfills, you also reduce the concentration of methane and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.1 Homemade compost is also an economical way to create nutritious soil for plants and flowers so you need less synthetic fertilizers.
3. Wake up with water.
Did you know that starting your day with water can do wonders for your mental health? Everyone knows that water is essential for a healthy body, but new research shows that proper hydration may be important for managing anxiety and depression.2
Have a glass of water before breakfast or your morning coffee, and you’ll set the right tone for your whole day. Whether you like it cold, room temp, or hot, a Primo dispenser makes it easy to enjoy water at your favorite temperature.
4. Practice gratitude.
Taking time to reflect on the things that make us happy actually makes us happier.3 Commit to focusing on the positive each day by keeping a gratitude journal, or set a reminder on your phone to spend a few moments counting your blessings.
Make this a habit, and you’ll create a feedback loop of positivity that’s downright contagious.
5. Reduce emissions on the road.
Public transportation is great for the environment, but some rural and suburban communities may not have the best access. The solution? Get a friend in the passenger seat!
It may require a little thought and planning, but carpooling can have a huge impact on your carbon footprint. Give a coworker a lift or coordinate errands with a neighbor, and you can keep up to one ton of CO2e out of the atmosphere each year.4
6. Unplug.
Between work and relaxation, most of us spend a great deal of time each day in front of a screen. Taking deliberate breaks from your laptop, tablet, phone, or television throughout the day can be beneficial for your eyes, your sleep habits, and your mental health.5
Create easy opportunities to unplug by planning regular stretch breaks or enjoying a lunchtime walk. Make your break productive by walking over to your coworker’s desk to talk about your current project instead of communicating through chats.
7. Add in sneaky veggies.
Veggies add nutrients and fiber to your meal so you feel full and satisfied. Not only are they packed with essential vitamins, but water-dense veggies can also help hydrate you.
If sitting down to a plate of crudites doesn’t sound appealing, there are lots of ways to incorporate more vegetables into the dishes your family already loves. Add some cucumber to your pasta salad, dice up some peppers or mushrooms in your scrambled eggs, and top homemade pizza with a rainbow of your favorite veggies.
8. Follow the two-minute rule.
If you have a tendency to procrastinate, you’re all too aware that quick chores can turn into time-consuming undertakings if they’re neglected for too long.
The two-minute rule is simple: any task that takes less than two minutes should be done right away.6 By creating habits like placing used dishes directly into the dishwasher and quickly tidying your workspace before you leave for the day, you can easily prevent small chores from turning into big ones.
9. Squeeze in mini workouts.
It’s not uncommon for busy people to struggle to carve out time for exercise each day. While it may be challenging to schedule a 30-minute workout, 10 three-minute workouts can be just as effective and a lot more feasible.7
Take a few stress-relieving cardio dance breaks, run up and down your stairs, or do a few sets of bodyweight exercises throughout the day. These quick bursts of activity can break up the monotony and help you feel more alert and energized.
10. Practice habit stacking.
Habit stacking8 is a simple but powerful way to meet your goals faster. Pair a habit that you want to cultivate, like drinking more water or getting in more daily steps, with a habit you already have.
This can be as simple as saving your favorite podcast for the gym, having a glass of water alongside your morning coffee, or saying a few affirmations in the bathroom mirror as you get ready for the day. Soon, your new, healthy habits will be an automatic part of your routine.
Conclusion: Want to be part of something bigger than yourself? Share your own simple tips for making big impacts with your friends and family. The small but mighty changes you’ve made to help make the world a better place can inspire others to do the same.
Make it Primo® Water
At Primo Water, we offer a wide range of water solutions tailored to your specific needs. Convenient and easy to use, our self-service Refill stations make getting fresh filtered drinking water simple and affordable. Simply bring your own 1 or 5 gallon bottles to a refill station near you and fill them up. For added convenience, you can pick up water while you’re already at the store from our Exchange Station. Available in 5 gallon pre-filled bottles, our Exchange Water is purified by reverse osmosis and has added minerals for a crisp, refreshing taste. And for a completely hassle-free experience, our reliable Delivery service brings our water directly to your doorstep. Finally, shop our wide variety of water dispensers at shop.water.com to find one that fits your lifestyle and home.
1https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/reducing-impact-wasted-food-feeding-soil-and-composting#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20Composting&text=Organic%20waste%20in%20landfills%20generates,higher%20yields%20of%20agricultural%20crops
2https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6147771/
3https://www.happify.com/hd/why-you-should-write-a-gratitude-journal/
4https://coolcalifornia.arb.ca.gov/sustainable_transportation#:~:text=Carpooling%20can%20reduce%20the%20carbon,of%20CO2e%20annually.
5https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/five_reasons_to_take_a_break_from_screens
6https://www.forbes.com/sites/lucianapaulise/2023/07/11/5-ways-to-reduce-procrastination-with-the-2-minute-rule/?sh=4a271d4f3b89
7 https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/fit-it-in-mini-workouts
8https://jamesclear.com/habit-stacking