We wake up and hit snooze three times. We then spend at least ten minutes scrolling through social media, phones consuming us from the second our eyes open. This is how we start the day, so this is how we spend it. Hmm, Chick-Fil-A sounds good. We spend five dollars that we did not need to spend on a meal that will more than likely put us in a food coma.

 The little tasks  we do throughout the day affect our productivity more than we notice. Developing hobbies or rituals that will further each day in a positive manner is vital.

 “I stay on task by going to school, going to practice for two hours, and then coming home and studying for all of my academics,” Brittany Miller, sophomore, said.

 With the invention of the smartphone, and fast pace of YouTube and television, it is not as appealing to pick up a book and read instead. However, relying more on the good ol’ paperbacks is bound to relieve more stress than the alternative of electronic devices.

 “Reading distracts me from all the stress that occurs in my life. It lets me get away for a little bit and take my mind off things, and every book I read lets me expand my knowledge,” Emmie Amick, senior, said.

 Podcasts are trending recently, considering a lot of influencers have started their own. A lot have the same content of a YouTube video but allow the ability to listen while working. Music apps, such as Spotify and Pandora, have podcasts of all genres. They can easily motivate listeners or provide words of encouragement rather than keep you tied to your bed or couch the way a TV show easily can.

 “I like listening to podcasts while I do work because it keeps me mentally stimulated so I don’t accidentally fall asleep, but it doesn’t distract me like music can,” Basia Coleman, sophomore, said.

 What you eat and how much you exercise are two very important parts of wellness. Eating healthy and exercising for at least 30 minutes every day can change your mindset and productivity level exponentially. Eating because of boredom and not doing anything active can produce poor habits. One’s confidence level is also impacted; the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to maintain a motivated lifestyle.

 “Working out releases all of the energy that could be a distraction to me,” Isaiah Huff, freshman, said.

 A clean environment means a clear mindset. Maintaining an organized space, whether it be your room or your work space, is important in order to succeed in school work or being stress free.

 “Having a clean environment improves my schoolwork a lot, especially since I’m a germaphobe. I work better in a clean environment,” Daniel Efunwa, junior, said.

 Everyone has  the power to decide what kind of day they are going to have. It takes 21 days to start a habit. Start today.