We all want to live our best lives, but often appointments, responsibilities, aches and pains get in the way of that mission. However, creating a set of daily rituals can help you stay on track for a good day, no matter what happens.

From exercise to meditation to quality time with family, self-care rituals have a huge effect on your physical and emotional health. However, all too often, these important parts of life are seen as more stressful elements that are stacked in your list of tasks pending instead of being recognized as sacred tasks that can help you prosper day after day. Fortunately, a simple change in mindset and a new prioritization of your own personal care can make a difference and enjoy every day of your life to the fullest.

1. Think about how your day is going to be

Some mornings it can be difficult to find the motivation and willpower to even get out of bed. And at some point during the day, it may seem easier to just sit down for a TV session and not get up again until the sun goes down.

But by making a habit of designing your day, like creating a to-do list, you eliminate the difficulty of remembering what to do later when your energy level has plummeted. So take out your calendar or journal and write down what you want to accomplish that day, ranked from most important and urgent to least important and urgent. Even if you don’t do the entire list in one day, you will have accomplished what is important, and this will make you feel great!

2. A little exercise

Although it sounds cliché, exercise will make you feel much better. It is true that if you are exhausted the last thing you think about is exercising but actually doing it will make you have more energy. You don’t need to do a Crossfit session, low intensity exercise like walking, biking, or yoga are great options.

3. Write a journal

Writing your thoughts every day will help you determine how you feel about your life, while helping you control anxiety, reduce your stress, and cope with your negative thoughts. What more can you ask? Also, you don’t need to write for an hour, a few minutes a day will be more than enough .

Some people like to keep an online journal in the form of a blog that friends and family can read so they don’t have to keep answering the same questions over and over again. Others prefer to keep a private, handwritten journal that allows them to express their thoughts without risking other people seeing them.  Choose the format that works best for you and start writing! And if filling out multiple pages each day sounds stressful, simplify it to suit your needs – even writing a single sentence about how you feel each morning is an important first step in developing this healthy habit.

4. Connect with a support network

The importance of having social support cannot be understated, so take a little time in the morning to connect with someone every day. This could be a family member or friend, a therapist, or someone you trust.

You may just have to make a phone call, text, or meet a loved one for breakfast in the morning. The benefits of formal and informal social support help reduce anxiety, stress, fatigue, and pain, as well as improve self-esteem, feelings of control, and your mood.

5. Boost your creativity

You have to take care of your right hemisphere of your brain because it is the basis of your creativity. Spend time each morning on creative endeavors that make you feel alive, like writing a book or improving your musical skills. Finding the motivation to practice this creative hobby after a long workday is a challenge where all you want to do is relax, so why not do it while the day is beginning? When you are tempted to wait until you get home at night, repeat this mantra: “If it has to happen, it has to happen first.” Plus, practicing something you love right away helps distract you from everyday stress and sets a positive tone for the day.

6. Focus on what you eat

Although there is no one-size-fits-all diet, it is important to pay attention to what you are putting into your body . When you create a morning meal-making ritual with a purpose and focus on the nutrients your body needs, you’re also making sure you’re getting the right kind of energy to help you get through the rest of the day.

For example, people with breast cancer need a diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that are rich in phytochemicals, while reducing saturated fats and avoiding cured, pickled, or smoked foods … And of course, they shouldn’t drink alcohol either.

7. Relax before going to bed

There’s no getting around it – the key to a good day, good mood, and good health is a good night’s sleep. That means that part of your morning ritual begins the night before … And this is something you should not forget if you want to enjoy your daily life and also achieve success!

In the same way that you set the alarm to wake up each day in the morning, it is also very important that you set an alarm to go to bed each night. It is necessary that when night comes you relax to sleep well. Have good sleep hygiene routines and leave your phone outside of your room or put it on airplane mode to ensure you have a restful night without interruptions.