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Changing your life with a lifestyle challenge is all about focusing on becoming the highest version of yourself across all areas of wellness.
If you’re feeling like you need a bit of a shake-up to revamp your life, these lifestyle challenge ideas are the perfect way to stay empowered and on target.
From walking 10,000 steps a day to incorporating new spiritual wellness habits into your routine, I’m sure you’ll find a few tips to act on!
This post is all about implementing a lifestyle challenge.
Lifestyle Challenge
Lifestyle Challenge Ideas
As you embark on your one month healthy lifestyle challenge, remember that I’m not suggesting you’ll be a brand new person after you complete your efforts.
What I’m saying is that you’ll gradually become more aligned with the most authentic version of yourself.
Essentially, as you integrate wellness challenge ideas into your weekly (and daily) routines, you’ll get clear on your values, priorities, and beliefs.
In the process, you will find a spirit within you that’s been hidden behind all the insecurities and stressors you’ve let consume your life (that is, up until now!).
But remember, there are no fixed lifestyle challenge rules:
- The goal here is to stick to a realistic expectation that works for you
- Decide on a few techniques to incorporate into your life and evaluate how you’re feeling
- It’s okay to start over as many times as you need (and to quit tools that aren’t doing it for you!)
- Don’t be too hard on yourself: this is supposed to be a joy-filled experience, not an added to-do
So, without further hesitation, let’s get into some categorized lifestyle challenge tips!
Challenge Ideas for Mental Health
Firstly, if you’re looking to start a mental health challenge for yourself, you’ll want to pick a few activities from the list below to start:
1. Spend at least 30 minutes per day in nature
A great way to boost your self-esteem and Vitamin D is making it a regular habit to get outdoors.
Whether it be an afternoon hike or a stroll in the park with your dog, find ways to be outside with the sunshine on your skin.
2. Journal every morning
Another challenge idea is to set a journaling goal for yourself.
- Decide how many minutes per day you’d like to spend writing down your thoughts and stick to it!
3. Make your bed in the morning
Pretty self-explanatory: when you wake up, make fixing your bed the second thing you do in the morning (after brushing your teeth)!
4. Meditate twice a week
By integrating mindfulness into your weekly wellness routine, you’re expanding your brain function and getting a whole slew of benefits:
- Gaining a new perspective on failure
- Learning to manage stress
- Grounding yourself in the present
- Boosting your creativity
- Lowering your heart rate
5. Wake up earlier
Additionally, consider setting your alarm clock an hour (or more) earlier as part of this whole life challenge.
The early bird truly does get the worm–take note of how much more in control you feel of your life when you kick your day off on the right foot.
6. Spend less time scrolling
One of my absolute favorite lifestyle challenge ideas is to cut your screen time down (on social media apps) as much as possible.
Free your brain from any unnecessary comparison–and pain–and spend less time building your online profile… and more time building your dream REAL life!
7. Listen to a new podcast
Nothing puts you in a good mood for the day than an inspiring message.
Make it a habit to listen to a wellness podcast while you’re cooking breakfast or driving to work.
8. Repeat daily affirmations
During this challenge period, you can brainstorm a few sentences you’d like to reiterate in your mind.
These can range from combating loneliness to helping you regain control of your reality, work harder in your professional life, or be a kinder person.
9. Practice yoga
Next up, why not establish a consistent yoga practice–especially since there are so many beginner yoga videos online to teach you basic movements?
Once you’re really in the groove, check out these must-have yoga essentials to aid your sessions:
10. Develop a vision board on Pinterest
During your lifestyle challenge, you can also use prompts to assemble a digital vision board that reflects your goals and dream lifestyle.
With this visualization in place, you can constantly remember the direction you’re headed.
FUN TIP: consider making this board your cell phone lock screen background to be reminded even more often!
11. Have a consistent Sunday reset
You can better your mental health with a jump start to the week–and establishing a Sunday reset routine is the best way to do so!
Here are some ways to fill up your Sunday with wellness-centered activities:
- Meal prep your lunches for the workweek
- Deep clean your home
- Create a weekly and daily to-do list in advance
- Take care of yourself!
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12. Avoid negative self talk
In addition, one of the most influential 30 day challenge ideas is to actively shut yourself down when you find yourself being your own worst enemy.
So, if you notice the inner dialogue in your mind trending negatively, ask yourself why you’re being so critical!
Then, work to replace these damaging statements with ones that uplift you instead.
13. Go on a self care date
Having a standing solo date night of your choosing every month is an incredible way to deepen the relationship you have with yourself.
Instead of looking for the perfect person to spend your life with, become the person!
14. Set a cut off time for work
One of the best things you can do for your emotional well-being is to close your computer at a certain time every night!
Don’t let your work life seep into your personal life: intentionally unwind and disconnect after a hard day at the job.
Challenge Ideas for Finances
Now, let’s talk lifestyle challenge tips that will enhance your financial wellbeing:
15. Make a budget and stick to it
First of all, there’s no way to evaluate your financial health if you don’t know your income and expenses.
So, record everything you’re making and spending and create a budget for yourself.
Remember to take into account your lifestyle priorities, as well as savings goals!
16. Track your spending more closely
Echoing the budget idea, be sure you are fully aware of your financial habits.
For example, in analyzing your main categories of spending (food, entertainment, etc.), you’ll know where you have room to cut, and where you need to build discipline.
17. Set a savings goal
Create a realistic savings target for yourself every month and be accountable for hitting your goal!
Most importantly, remember WHY you’re saving:
- To go on the solo trip of your dreams
- To invest for your retirement
- To gain more control of your life
18. Open a HYSA
This one is highlyyy important (and so easy!).
Take five minutes for yourself to open a high-yield savings account (HYSA).
Once you have money deposited there, you’ll make monthly interest on what you have saved–without needing to invest in stocks.
This one is a no-brainer–and you can learn more about exactly how to get started here.
19. Attend a local REI meetup
Additionally, by getting involved with real estate investing (REI) groups in your area, you will gain an education on the real estate space.
Regardless of whether you’re prepared to buy property right now, challenging yourself to learn about a topic that’s fundamental to your financial health is never a bad call.
Who knows who you’ll network with and what you’ll discover from just one hour at an event.
20. Invest in an index fund
Index funds are one of the safest investment vehicles, and a great place to start for beginner investors!
So, as part of your lifestyle challenge, make it a point to move some of your savings into index funds like VOO and SPY.
21. Self-educate on financial topics of interest
This one is more general in nature, but can still be a stretch goal for many of us:
Pick a financial subject you’re in the dark about and teach yourself new facts about it. I promise you’ll learn something that’ll come in handy throughout your lifetime.
22. Go cash-only
Another unique challenge is to go cash-only for the duration of your lifestyle revamp.
If you want to curb extra spending (beyond your budget, that is!), place however much you want to spend on each category every month into a cash envelope.
Once you reach your limit, you’ll have no more money to pull from–what a brilliant way to stay on track!
23. Have a low-spend month
Whew, I hope you’re getting inspired by all these 30 day challenge lifestyle ideas!
The last idea for the finance recommendations section is to set out on a low-spend month.
In order to accomplish this, pick a few areas you want to cut back on spending–eating out, Ubers, etc.–and keep track of how well you fare.
Challenge Ideas for Self Discovery
Next up are healthy lifestyle challenge tools for personal growth:
24. Strengthen your coping skills
Intentionally develop a list of self-soothing mechanisms for when your stress and anxiety get the best of you.
It’s bound to happen, so why not be proactive about choosing a few go-to ways to mitigate the tension within you:
- Go for a long drive with your fav songs on repeat
- Take a walk for thirty minutes
- Repeat your top three affirmations for leveling up
25. Take a personality test
In addition, an inventive way to uncover more about your highest self during this challenge period is to take a personality test!
The web is full of free, fast personality quizzes that will reveal insights on your traits.
Armed with this intel, you can go about improving (and celebrating) these sides of you.
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26. Explore your inner child
One of the top lifestyle improvement ideas for identity building is to get closer to your inner child.
By completing shadow work journal prompts and reflecting on your likes and dislikes as a young kid, you can better connect with the root of who you are.
Once you define and protect this younger version of you, she can serve as inspiration for all your future wellness goals!
27. Learn a new language
Now, if you really want to expand your knowledge, dedicate a few hours each week to teaching yourself a new language!
As the world becomes increasingly globalized, it’s never a bad thing to know more than your native language.
28. Watch a new TED talk each week
TED Talks tend to be full of creative, inspirational juice–so set aside an hour every week to watch a video of your choosing.
Click here to listen to one of my top TED Talk videos that I highly recommend for self discovery.
29. Volunteer
Also, consider volunteering during this time–you will feel personally fulfilled by giving your time to a cause greater than yourself.
30. Read daily
One wellness habit you should pick up when this whole life challenge is said and done is reading!
Pick a self growth book of your choice and set a goal of twenty pages per day.
P.S. if you’re searching for a new read, check out my creative nonfiction collection Self-Assembly.
31. Have informational interviews
Chat with those in your network and gain new words of wisdom to incorporate into your personal and professional life.
- Message a few people you’d be interested in connecting with
- Ask questions and make the conversation feel two sided
- Follow up, thanking them for their time and sharing top-line points you gathered from the talk
32. Deepen your relationships
You can also enhance your social well-being by intentionally strengthening your relationships.
Whether it be additional date nights with your significant other or a FaceTime call with your long distance friend, there are several routes for accomplishing this goal.
In doing so, you’ll learn even more about your habits and how you connect with others.
34. Organize your life
What better way to whip yourself in action than regaining control of your clutter!
Be sure to organize your belongings in a systematic way, while also eliminating any items you’re no longer in need of.
Review your clothing collection, clean up your desk, dust your home, and I promise you’ll feel like you’re off to a fresh start again.
35. Brainstorm ways to level up your life
Additionally, you can take this challenge period to sit down and reflect on how you’re going to change your life!
Set clear intentions for what you want to focus on across all wellness domains, and adopt habits and lifestyle strategies to turn them into reality.
36. Start your glow up era
If you really want to glow up over the next month, be persistent and disciplined about labeling your life as what it is: a work in progress!
While this era will undoubtedly be filled with highs and lows, by the end of it, you’ll feel reborn.
Challenge Ideas for Fitness
Last but not least are tips for a healthier lifestyle that revolve around your physical wellbeing:
37. Join a group exercise class
One fun way to burn calories and stay fit while meeting new faces is taking group exercise classes!
Online or in-person services are available all over the Internet, from local gyms to fitness influencers, so sign up for something that makes you feel empowered and don’t look back.
38. Improve your nutrition
In addition, a powerful challenge tip is revamping your diet to fit your physical health goals.
While hitting all major food groups is important, it’s equally as important not to overeat, skip meals, or pig out on processed junk foods!
39. Walk 10k steps per day
If 10,000 steps a day seems reasonable for you, up it to 12 or 15,000–the point is to go the extra mile here!
Walking has proven benefits for your mental health as well, from better sleep at night to a clearer headspace throughout the day.
40. Stay hydrated
Next up, don’t forget to drink your water and stay hydrated!
You’ll have clearer skin, way more energy, and a healthy digestive tract in doing so.
41. Lower your sugar intake
Echoing the nutrition point, cutting out foods that are enormously high in sugar is important for regulating your physical wellness.
While you know your body best, it is important to be aware of how much sugar you’re consuming (and yes, drinks are loaded with sugar too!).
42. Get on a regular sleep schedule
Another lifestyle challenge tool is to stick to a sleep routine that jives with your lifestyle.
Overall, you should be aiming for at least 8 hours per night. Sleep has SO many health benefits beyond just your physical health!
- Helps with your heart health
- Boosts your ability to memorize and retain information
- Keeps you energized throughout the day
- Grows your attention span
- Supports weight management.
43. Sign up for an at-home workout program
If you prefer to workout in the comfort of your own space, you’ll likely find it easier to stay committed when you’re part of a larger fitness network.
So, find a workout program with online classes and progress tracking that works for you, and stick to it for the challenge!
P.S. in order to really kickstart your workouts, check out my at-home workout essentials for young women that you really can’t live without:
44. Limit fast food
If you are caught in the eating out cycle every week after work… get yourself out of it!
Fast food is proven to influence your blood sugar and blood pressure, increase inflammation, and lead to issues with weight gain.
As you can imagine, reducing your fast food consumption does wonders for your physical (and emotional) well-being.
45. Try intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting has been proven to augment overall health as well as assist with weight loss.
Everyone has their own way of doing intermittent fasting, but if you’re a beginner, you could start with a 12 hours of fasting, then 12 hours of eating regimen.
Then, evaluate how your body feels and adjust accordingly.
46. Stretch daily
Give your tired and tight muscles a break with foam rolling and daily stretching–you’ll become more flexible and loosen up all the tension in your body!
47. Meal plan
Additionally, you can take care of your physical health during this time by meal planning for the week.
- Make a list of groceries for one meal you can make five batches of
- Head to the store to shop for your items and unpack at home
- Prepare your meal and portion it into five containers to use as weekly lunches
FUN TIP: repeat this concept for meal prepping dinners and/or snacks as well!
BONUS: Sign up for a local fitness challenge
Finally, consider enrolling in a fitness challenge group in your area.
By working with professional trainers and surrounding yourself with others passionate about improving their physical health, you’ll be so proud of your progress.
Lifestyle Challenge: Wrapping it Up
So, there you have it: all the lifestyle challenge ideas we could think of! We’re confident that across all dimensions of wellness, you’ll reorient your life during this challenge.
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