A new year gives us what feels like a fresh start and allows us the chance to stop and think about how we want our lives to go and who we want to be. If this kind of reflection has you thinking about how many things you wished you did differently, it’s time to be proactive.
In particular, it helps to focus on some of the most significant bad habits stopping you from getting where you want to be.
Here are some habits to consider dropping in 2022.
Being Sleep Deprived
It’s common for many of us to never get enough sleep on average throughout the year. We’re busy with jobs, kids, relationships, hobbies, and more, plus anxieties and stressors can stop us from being able to get to and stay asleep as we’d like. For many people, though, sleep deprivation gets worse and becomes long-term due to unhelpful bedtime habits.

If you’re in this position, it’s worth changing your ways so you can get better sleep and
have more energy
, be more productive, feel more positive, and otherwise go through your days more effectively and healthily. For example, avoid drinking coffee too late in the day and don’t have too much alcohol, either. While alcoholic beverages may make you sleepy and help you nap, they don’t aid deep sleep.
It’s also essential to stop looking at screens (such as smartphones, laptops, and TVs) in an hour or two before bed since the blue light they emit can signal to the brain that it’s time to wake up, not wind down. Keep work-related items and other stressors out of your bedroom, and ensure you have a comfortable, supportive mattress to sleep on, with the appropriate bed linen.
Plus, make your bedroom dark enough that you won’t be disturbed by early-morning light. It also pays to go to bed and get up at around the same times each day, so you get into positive sleeping habits. If you find you struggle with insomnia, you may also need to break that habit to avoid being sleep-deprived for weeks at a time this year.
You may need to take some sleeping tablets for a few nights to break the cycle or utilize some cannabis to help you relax. Look online for trusted dispensaries in your area. For example, search for
Massachusetts marajuana retailers
or online stores that ship weed to your door.
Lack of Movement and Fresh Air and Sunlight
Another issue that can arise when we’re crazy busy and there aren’t enough hours in the day is that we miss out on stretching our bodies and enjoying the sunlight and fresh air. When was the last time you went for a walk or did some other exercise regularly?
And do you find that a whole week can go by without you feeling the sun on your face and the wind in your hair? If so, it’s time to make a concerted effort to get some more balance in your days.
The movement will help your posture and muscles and make you fitter, stronger, healthier, and less tired. It will
boost your productivity levels
and mood, too, among other things. Getting fresh air can help you wake up when you’re feeling lethargic, while adequate sunlight is necessary for proper
vitamin D
levels in the body.
If you find it tricky to change these habits by yourself, consider enlisting a friend to meet up with for a walk or other physical activities, or simply schedule these times in your diary as you would a meeting.
No Proper Separation Between Work and Leisure
A problem that many people have only just started dealing with in the last two years is a decided lack of separation between their work and leisure time due to working from home. When you don’t need to leave your place to head to an office, you save commuting time and hours often spent in unnecessary meetings or chin-wagging sessions at the water cooler.

However, the downside is that it can be tough to switch off from work and keep to defined work hours.
If, since beginning to do your job from home, you’re either working or thinking about working for more hours of the day than not, you may get burned out pretty quickly. Rather than checking and answering emails and calls at any time of the day and night because you’re near your devices, set yourself particular work hours and try to stick to them.
Where possible, designate one area of your homes, such as a spare bedroom or specific office, to work in. Don’t let your job tools migrate out into other areas.
These are three key bad habits you might want to drop in 2022.
However, some others to consider include:
- Measuring success by standards that aren’t achievable or aren’t yours
- Worrying about things you can’t control
- Trying to please everyone
- Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol
Bad habits won’t change overnight, and they take a committed effort and patience to work on.
However, choose one or two to focus on this year, and you should soon see yourself making progress and feeling happier as a result.