Three Habits To Take On in 2023

Practices that you can use to better your life

Branch | Cold Showers

Cold showers suck. Honestly, they do. They are uncomfortable, strenuous, and the absolute last thing you want to do in the morning; but for some reason, tons of people (now including myself) take them every day. Cold showers were first made popular by the Dutch superathlete Wim Hof, sometimes called the “Iceman”, who became famous for his unnatural tolerance to freezing temperatures. Contrary to what you might believe, his favorite words “a cold shower a day keeps the doctor away” are more true than they seem. Studies have shown that taking cold showers on a regular basis can reduce stress, strengthen your immune system, speed up muscle recovery, increase energy, and even stimulate weight loss.

For me, one of the best things about cold showers is that they always wake me up. If I’m ever feeling tired or drowsy when I know I still have work to do, instead of drinking a cup of coffee or downing a Redbull, I’ll just jump into some icy water for a few minutes. This doesn’t have to be a difficult task either; switching to cold water for just the last two minutes of your otherwise hot shower is all you need. Repeat this once a day and you’re sure to see the benefits soon.

Branch | Hydration

Staying hydrated has to be one of the most underrated habits in the world. Every single person you know will admit to feeling better when they’ve had enough to drink, but they’ll still show up at school or work the next day parched. Drinking enough water does so much that most people don’t even realize: it gets rid of headaches, helps muscles recover faster, boosts energy, helps with weight loss, and even promotes skin health.

“Water is the world’s first medicine”

Part of the reason why nobody drinks water is that they forget they need it - going out of your way to fill a glass every two hours isn’t exactly built into most people’s routines. What I recommend is carrying a water bottle with you everywhere you go. Regardless of whether or not you’re used to doing this, the bottle being there is a constant reminder to drink water. Out of all the good habits to finally follow through with, alongside being one of the most beneficial, staying hydrated and drinking water is also one of the easiest.

Branch | Reading

Most people read less than 10 minutes per day, and 50% of Americans can’t even read past an 8th-grade level. Maybe it’s because we’re too busy, or maybe it’s because phones and iPads are more fun, but it’s obvious that people are reading less and less.

It’s not like reading is a difficult task, all you have to do is sit there and move your eyes! I suppose a computer game works the same way, but reading even just a little offers tremendous benefits that make it an important habit to adopt. Reading for just twenty minutes before bed every night will keep you informed, help you learn new things, stimulate your mind, and decrease your blue-light exposure, allowing you to go to sleep faster. Reading is relaxing and easy, and I recommend you start working on your next book today!