Practicing These 5 Habits Once a Week Can Benefit You for a Lifetime

Habits play a vital role in our lives. As the author Stephen R. Covey once said, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

People often focus on the impact of daily habits on their lives, which is important. However, there are some habits that can bring significant progress with just once a week. The key is consistency, whether it’s daily or weekly.

Developing good habits can continuously improve your life and naturally enhance your ability to treat others. Here are five habits that only need to be practiced once a week to guarantee an improvement in your life.

If you are married, especially with children, consider establishing a weekly “date night” habit.

Just the thought of it may bring up various excuses – too expensive, too busy, no one to watch the kids, not important, or simply too tired.

But if you understand the positive impact this can have on your relationship and family, you may overcome all excuses and prioritize the importance of a date night. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or involve expensive dinners; it’s about setting aside time to be alone with your partner, reconnecting emotionally, communicating, and appreciating each other’s company. This time not only injects new vitality into your personal life and marriage but also sets a good example for your children.

If you mostly cook at home, it is not only cost-effective but also beneficial for your and your family’s health. The demands of daily life may make it seem impossible to cook three times a day – but it’s not.

Ensuring your family enjoys healthy home-cooked meals daily is best achieved by preparing meals once a week in advance.

Meal prepping involves deciding on dishes for the next week, ordering ingredients, and completing meal or ingredient preparations within a day. You can pre-cut onions, garlic, and various other ingredients used in multiple dishes. Utilize the same ingredients to create different recipes.

For example, chicken roasted on Monday can transform into chicken parmigiana on Friday; or with pre-prepared ingredients, you can effortlessly put together a hearty salad one evening.

With a little planning, you can concentrate your week’s cooking efforts, providing your family with healthy and diverse meal options daily without spending every day in the kitchen.

If you are fortunate enough to live close to family, schedule visits. Whether inviting them to your place or visiting theirs, forming a habit of face-to-face contact with family members each week is essential.

Before the start of a new week, review the responsibilities, obligations, goals, and expectations you will face. Cultivating a weekly practice can be a valuable experience.

Taking time to contemplate how to make the upcoming week better prepares you for success. You may recall important things, find better ways to handle tasks, or realize some things are not necessary. Friday after work or Sunday evenings are perfect times to reflect on the coming week and make plans.

Will everything go according to plan? Not necessarily, but doing so will bring you closer to your goals than having no plan at all. Persisting in this habit can greatly improve your life.

Western religions still observe the tradition of keeping a day of rest – a day where work and business are set aside to focus on reflection, prayer, and family. This habit holds wisdom: it allows us to step away from daily chores and gives our body, mind, and spirit rest. During this time, spend it with loved ones, engage in self-reflection and spiritual growth, thereby continuously strengthening your self-discipline weekly.

You may fear that taking a day off will affect fulfilling responsibilities, but you will find that giving yourself a reset and restoration opportunity each week will actually enhance your performance in various life roles. The benefits of this habit will accumulate over time, so why not give it a try? Rest day might just become the most beautiful time of your week.